Is that not made available?
Encouraging the widespread usage of motorized bicycles is something we can agree on, yes?
What I would like to suggest is rather than furthering, even adding additional restrictions on the available means of alternative transportation for the masses based on only the actions of those that would disregard existing laws - simply enforcing what applicable laws that already exist.
If a license is required for a motorized bicycle, it's simply another reason for law-abiding people to not avail themselves of this means of transport while simultaneously failing to act as a deterrent for those that would and have violated the law... somewhat obviously.
If a license is required to operate a motorized bicycle, there's very little differentiation remaining between it and any other vehicle class, "might as well have a moped/scooter/motorcycle then" is a not uncommon response and one I find difficult to disagree with. The remainder would be those few that relish bicycles for their own sake yet have no aversion to motorization (somewhat rare given the interest group), those that appreciate building their own vehicle but may be somewhat limited in resources (else they'd build motorcycles etc.) and those that are interested in economy & conservation - realistically that last reason in particular is a debatable aspect when compared to scooters/mopeds.
Yet if the licensing restriction isn't present additional demographics can & do avail themselves of this means of transport - just not having a license doesn't immediately equate to a suspension or irresponsible behavior, for example I didn't bother getting a license until I was twenty four years old, simply because I lived in an densely populated & crime ridden urban center - so owning a car was an unnecessary liability and without a car, why bother with a license? Forced to use the somewhat unsavory, even dangerous public transportation due to the distance of my commute a motorized bicycle would have been an ideal option had I known of them, yet if a license were required I'd simply get a motorcycle (which is what I eventually did).
I also see very little reason why adolescents should be prohibited from using motorized bicycles simply because they're too young to have an automotive operator's license - if anything it's an ideal method to help instruct both the construction and the maintenance of a vehicle as well as familiarizing them with the responsibilities of owning and operating a motor vehicle, abet a very limited one.
There is even the possibility that although an individual's license was suspended - it my not be due to substance abuse and/or reckless, dangerous behavior. It varies from state to state, but somewhat ironically the penalty for driving w/an expired license or insurance tends to be suspension, as is suspension for driving on a suspension even if no other law is broken. This perpetuation of suspension may be inescapable if no other realistic means of transportation is available but there's an employment commitment, this is particularly problematic for those so destitute as to let their insurance lapse or their suspension perpetuate due to an inability to pay fines, again - a motorized bicycle may be a legal, economical alternative.
There are those that due to physical and/or mental disabilities are not permitted an operator's license yet are still willing and able to manage such a low speed, simple vehicle as a motorized bicycle/tricycle without endangering themselves or others, particularly considering the preformance limitations placed on motorized bicycles by many regions this could well be one the few demographics still interested.
There are even those that may have lost their license for reckless & irresponsible behavior - but may actually try to redeem themselves by no longer participating in such, yet still need some form of transport to remain or gain employment. Pedal bicycles are not always a viable choice due to distances/physical shortcomings/disabilities but a motorized bicycle may just suffice. If a license is required for even such a limited vehicle as a motorized bicycle, then they've no options, particularly with the distances involved in rural communities where public transportation is often unavailable.
So why hamper the utilization of motorized bicycles with the requirement of an automotive driver's license?
Again chronic offenders & substance abusers, those that disregard laws aren't likely to be dissuaded by such - but it can and does serve to discourage use by law abiding citizens, the end result is not only penalization of those that have done no wrong but discouraging the use of motorized bicycles by anyone other than those that would & have disregarded such laws anyway.
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