Legality of Riding a Motorized Bike in PA?

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Nitrohorse

New Member
Aug 1, 2008
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Has anyone had an issue in Pennsylvania with riding an MB on the road?
I've searched the PennDot website and it's pretty vague. As far as I can tell, an MB is classified as a moped and requires registration and a license plate.
The confusion lies in the fact that a MB cannot be titled, and you cannot register a vehicle that doesn't have a title.
In PA, it's the equavelent of a dog chasing it's tail when it comes answers on riding these bikes on the street.
 

Me-N-Mike

New Member
Jul 23, 2008
7
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Central PA
Check out the Laws and Legislation section of this forum. There have been several discussions and no, there hasn't been any resolution yet. Scribbles is in the process of trying to get his ride registered. He has been turned away a couple of times but he is persistent! Stay tuned... he may get it yet.
 

Bikeguy Joe

Godfather of Motorized Bicycles
Jan 8, 2008
11,837
252
63
up north now
There is a similar arrangement in Ohio...nobody gives the same answers as the last person you talked to. "It has to be a moped." "Uh, I am not sure, here another number to call." "You have to register it." ""How can I do that?" "Uh, You can't since it doesn't have a VIN...have a nice day."

I just ride. No cop problems yet, two years and over a thousand miles so far.
 

brucemg51

New Member
Jul 10, 2008
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I'm in CT, but I'm with bikeguy joe. Just ride. There are so many gray areas everywhere regarding the legality of these things that no one knows for sure what the law really is. Besides, is you see a cop approaching you, just hit the kill button and start peddaling.
 

Bikeguy Joe

Godfather of Motorized Bicycles
Jan 8, 2008
11,837
252
63
up north now
I "ghost pedal" any time I see any vehicle in the distance.

If you ride public roads, get a mirror (a good one).
 

sinisterporpoise

New Member
Aug 2, 2008
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Has anyone had an issue in Pennsylvania with riding an MB on the road?
I've searched the PennDot website and it's pretty vague. As far as I can tell, an MB is classified as a moped and requires registration and a license plate.
The confusion lies in the fact that a MB cannot be titled, and you cannot register a vehicle that doesn't have a title.
In PA, it's the equavelent of a dog chasing it's tail when it comes answers on riding these bikes on the street.
Here is the answer I got from a state trooper -- if it is 50 CC or under and under 1.5 brake horsepower, it does NOT have to be registered in Pennsylvania. If it is over those requirements, it does.
 

Nitrohorse

New Member
Aug 1, 2008
56
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I'm going to ride the bike and keep a low profile. I have a 4 cycle engine and it's damn quiet, so hopefully that along with me following the rules of the road should be stealthy enough to avoid being stopped..
 

amealnet

New Member
Sep 19, 2008
22
2
3
play the odds of getting caught. pa along with most of the other states are anal retentive. its a bicycle just leave me alone and let me have some fun before i die.
 
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