Lautsprecher
New Member
Hello, and let me introduce myself. My name is Brian, and I have been involved with Motorized Bicycles (legally Power Assisted Bicycles) for about 4 years now. I have a Kings 49cc mounted on a Swedish Kronan frame. Its been going now for 4 years and has been no trouble.
I am considering going into business building and retailing these bikes and would like to communicate with anyone currently in the business, or have been in the past two years. I live in the Bay Area, and from what I have found, there is a lot of interest in these bikes, but nobody wants to buy them. Maybe it is the cost? Maybe it is the hassle from the local Police?
Personally, I have not had any trouble with the police. Several people whom I have built bikes for in the past, have commented to me about the trouble they have had with the police ticketing them for one thing or another. Now, they allege they are all legal, not riding in an illegal manner, but are ticketed from everything to operating a motorcycle in a bike lane, operation of a moped with out a license, riding a motorcycle without a DOT approved helmet and operation of a motorized vehicle without a license plate. The CA Highway Patrol defined my bike to me as a "Bicycle with Power Assist", and told me it falls outside the law for a true Motorized Bicycle, Moped or Motorcycle. Another point to mention is that the local DMV told me that I could not register my bike b/c it did not posses a VIN number and that a license plate was not required.
Does anyone know of, or have had success selling these in Northern California? I think that with the economy in the tank, and the high cost of gasoline, this could be a profitable business venture. Any thoughts would be welcomed.
~Brian~
I am considering going into business building and retailing these bikes and would like to communicate with anyone currently in the business, or have been in the past two years. I live in the Bay Area, and from what I have found, there is a lot of interest in these bikes, but nobody wants to buy them. Maybe it is the cost? Maybe it is the hassle from the local Police?
Personally, I have not had any trouble with the police. Several people whom I have built bikes for in the past, have commented to me about the trouble they have had with the police ticketing them for one thing or another. Now, they allege they are all legal, not riding in an illegal manner, but are ticketed from everything to operating a motorcycle in a bike lane, operation of a moped with out a license, riding a motorcycle without a DOT approved helmet and operation of a motorized vehicle without a license plate. The CA Highway Patrol defined my bike to me as a "Bicycle with Power Assist", and told me it falls outside the law for a true Motorized Bicycle, Moped or Motorcycle. Another point to mention is that the local DMV told me that I could not register my bike b/c it did not posses a VIN number and that a license plate was not required.
Does anyone know of, or have had success selling these in Northern California? I think that with the economy in the tank, and the high cost of gasoline, this could be a profitable business venture. Any thoughts would be welcomed.
~Brian~
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