Pragmatic
Member
Came across this great 2013 web post re. e-Bikes and the Law. Not lawyerly, but does offer some common sense and humorous considerations...
This is a good, germane, post written in an informative but humorous style, on the topic of - the more your e-Bike looks like a bike, and less like a scooter - the less LEO attention/Citizen crap you'll attract... https://www.electricbike.com/electric-bike-law/ Quoted captions and photos below
1. "At this point I would like to quote what electric bike legend Liveforphysics said when it comes to ebike law: “It’s an ebike if you can ride it past a cop and not get stopped.” This is real wisdom, and there is a lot of sense in this short and sweet sentence." (the rough-looking prototype)
2. "Here is an example of a trouble maker. He got all these tickets because of the sinister way he presents himself on that green “electric bike”." (green scooter bike)
3. "Here is an examples of a “Good” presentation. This woman has serious promise to ride by scott free… even if she is not wearing a helmet, even if she is obviously riding an electric bike. As long as she obeys the traffic laws she should have no problem." (Little old lady...)
4. "Ebikes that look like motorcycles (such as Vespa style scooters with pedals) WILL get you pulled over. If it looks like it needs registration and tags…a cop will assume you are riding it illegally without them"
BTW ridiculously bad Q Factor on this... Maybe the pedals are intended to be "curb feelers" (Remember those you old guys and gals?!?!).
...Ride On!
This is a good, germane, post written in an informative but humorous style, on the topic of - the more your e-Bike looks like a bike, and less like a scooter - the less LEO attention/Citizen crap you'll attract... https://www.electricbike.com/electric-bike-law/ Quoted captions and photos below
1. "At this point I would like to quote what electric bike legend Liveforphysics said when it comes to ebike law: “It’s an ebike if you can ride it past a cop and not get stopped.” This is real wisdom, and there is a lot of sense in this short and sweet sentence." (the rough-looking prototype)
2. "Here is an example of a trouble maker. He got all these tickets because of the sinister way he presents himself on that green “electric bike”." (green scooter bike)
3. "Here is an examples of a “Good” presentation. This woman has serious promise to ride by scott free… even if she is not wearing a helmet, even if she is obviously riding an electric bike. As long as she obeys the traffic laws she should have no problem." (Little old lady...)
4. "Ebikes that look like motorcycles (such as Vespa style scooters with pedals) WILL get you pulled over. If it looks like it needs registration and tags…a cop will assume you are riding it illegally without them"
BTW ridiculously bad Q Factor on this... Maybe the pedals are intended to be "curb feelers" (Remember those you old guys and gals?!?!).
...Ride On!
