There's a big difference between common terms, and legal definitions.In Florida and most of the world moped means bicycle with a gas motor.
FL
- Thread starter James912
- Start date
I studied it. Most state laws call a bicycle with a gas motor a moped.
Only in the online forum world where they are trying to sell kits are they called motorize scooters !
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That might be true, but the law doesn't say that in Florida, or Texas.In Florida and most of the world moped means bicycle with a gas motor.
Bicycles are quiet and don't let off gas fumes that will kill you if you start it up in the garage and leave the doors shut ?
In Florida laws a bicycle will only be pedal or electric motor powered.
Can't let off poison gas. If it lets off poison gas it is a moped.
In Florida one needs a DL to emit poison gas going down a public road ?
I haven's seen any law that says that. Maybe you could show it to us.In Florida laws a bicycle will only be pedal or electric motor powered.
Can't let off poison gas. If it lets off poison gas it is a moped.
In Florida one needs a DL to emit poison gas going down a public road ?
I've already posted in another thread, a signed, official document on letterhead from the DMV CLEARLY stating that has powered bikes will NOT be registered, can NOT be registered legally, and are NOT ALLOWED on public roads..
I don't understand why everyone is discussing conjecture and theory, when it's been plainly shown they are illegal to use on public roads.
Whether you have a license or not.
Here it is AGAIN for all to see..
If anyone can produce a document to the contrary, I would appreciate it very much..
Unless a document that states you may use a gas powered bike on public roads, that's all I got.
I don't understand why everyone is discussing conjecture and theory, when it's been plainly shown they are illegal to use on public roads.
Whether you have a license or not.
Here it is AGAIN for all to see..
If anyone can produce a document to the contrary, I would appreciate it very much..
Unless a document that states you may use a gas powered bike on public roads, that's all I got.
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As far as I know unless it is a farm tractor or such if it burns gas you need a DL to drive it on a public road in Florida.
All stuff that burns gas emits gas fumes that are poison to humans.
That is why you will die if you are in the garage with the windows and doors shut with the gas engine running.
It's called a moped. I have a moped tag and a dl. I am turning it into an electric moped though. 30mphI've already posted in another thread, a signed, official document on letterhead from the DMV CLEARLY stating that has powered bikes will NOT be registered, can NOT be registered legally, and are NOT ALLOWED on public roads..
I don't understand why everyone is discussing conjecture and theory, when it's been plainly shown they are illegal to use on public roads.
Whether you have a license or not.
Here it is AGAIN for all to see..
If anyone can produce a document to the contrary, I would appreciate it very much..
Unless a document that states you may use a gas powered bike on public roads, that's all I got.
They can say anything they want but that doesn't make it true. The only way to find out is someone will have to challenge it in court, and lose.I've already posted in another thread, a signed, official document on letterhead from the DMV CLEARLY stating that has powered bikes will NOT be registered, can NOT be registered legally, and are NOT ALLOWED on public roads..
I don't understand why everyone is discussing conjecture and theory, when it's been plainly shown they are illegal to use on public roads.
Whether you have a license or not.
Here it is AGAIN for all to see..
If anyone can produce a document to the contrary, I would appreciate it very much..
Unless a document that states you may use a gas powered bike on public roads, that's all I got.
Texas makes the same claim, or used to. Now they say a MB is a gray area in the law, but if you ask why, they won't tell you straight up. When I ask this question, I already knew the probable answer. I ask, is it because you might not be able to show in court that a MB is self propelled? There was a long pause, followed by, maaaaybe.
The moped statute and conjecture of this "self propelled" has nothing to do with legality on roads..
The entire meaning behind the "no clutching/shifting", etc is the difference between a moped and a motorcycle...
A moped has one gear and once engaged does not need to shifted, unlike most motorcycles where you engage the clutch (or better yet, dis-engage the clutch temporarily) to shift into a different gear.. (And yes, there ARE motorcycles that ARE less than 50cc..
There are numerous DMV documents talking about <50cc "motorcycles", just to prove the above point. {P.S. One of the documents talks about not needing a dealers license for under 50cc motorcycles})
THAT is why they put that part in the statute, and for no other reason...
The clutch on a moped is to release the engine from the gearing so you may idle, once idling, all you have to do is release the clutch and it goes back into gear and allows propulsion.. This is basic engine knowledge (well as basic as I know it to be).
The idea of "self-propelled" is a moot point.
An electric bicycle without a PAS system would be considered "self-propelled" too, so it would also fit the description of a "moped", HOWEVER, there is the bicycle statute that CLEARLY states an electric helper bicycle is still considered a regular bicycle for DL and Registration statutes. Gas bicycles have no such statute and definitely fall into the moped statute, regardless as to how anyone wants to "spin it".
The entire meaning behind the "no clutching/shifting", etc is the difference between a moped and a motorcycle...
A moped has one gear and once engaged does not need to shifted, unlike most motorcycles where you engage the clutch (or better yet, dis-engage the clutch temporarily) to shift into a different gear.. (And yes, there ARE motorcycles that ARE less than 50cc..
There are numerous DMV documents talking about <50cc "motorcycles", just to prove the above point. {P.S. One of the documents talks about not needing a dealers license for under 50cc motorcycles})
THAT is why they put that part in the statute, and for no other reason...
The clutch on a moped is to release the engine from the gearing so you may idle, once idling, all you have to do is release the clutch and it goes back into gear and allows propulsion.. This is basic engine knowledge (well as basic as I know it to be).
The idea of "self-propelled" is a moot point.
An electric bicycle without a PAS system would be considered "self-propelled" too, so it would also fit the description of a "moped", HOWEVER, there is the bicycle statute that CLEARLY states an electric helper bicycle is still considered a regular bicycle for DL and Registration statutes. Gas bicycles have no such statute and definitely fall into the moped statute, regardless as to how anyone wants to "spin it".
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Welp, like I've said before, if anyone can produce an official document to the contrary to what I've posted, I'd be happy to see/have it.. Would allow me to add a gas motor to my electric bike and have a hybrid.
The problem is in the wording... by definition a motorized bicycle is a moped (in fits the states description). By calling it a motorized bicycle you are shooting yourself in the foot.
Sec. 320.06(3)(a) and 320.0803. Florida Statutes, provides for a reduced dimension (4 inches wide by 7 inches long) license plate to accommodate motorcycle sized vehicles except motorized bicycles.
from http://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/RS/RS-61.pdf
Now what I said I would help with and what should be done is help the state set safety guidelines for "custom" moped so we can register as such
I agree. Plenty of custom home built hot rods and Harleys in Florida with tags.
I've said this before - has anyone pursued talking to a DMV investigator in Florida about getting a state issued vin for their bike?
I honestly think that's going to be the only solution.
I honestly think that's going to be the only solution.
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There are no guidelines for the DMV regarding "custom" mopeds afaik. As such a DMV inspection would treat it like a motor cycle. There is almost no way for a moped to pass a inspection with the same standards as a motorcycle.
So as I have said before, we need laws regarding "custom" moped safety standards in place so those of us who would like to ride them legally can build them legally and have them pass a DMV safety inspection.
Challenging it in court will do no good. Judges' only rule based on their interpretation of the law and every judge may have a different opinion. Your best bet is to work on getting the laws clearly defined which currently they are not.
It's easier than you think - I contacted my local DMV investigator, and he said it is entirely possible. You need to rig up lights, a horn etc, which is very easy to do. The hardest part he told me, was getting enough braking power - which can be attained with a dual pull brake on hydraulic discs.
It CAN be done - why nobody pursues this avenue besides laziness, I will never know.