Topic: us motorized bike laws?

[dave500]

an 18 year old was killed riding a motorized bike here on the coast today,it was his daily transport,ive seen these things going pretty fast for a bicycle,like close to 40 mph?there has also been a couple of other accidents with them,now the cops will blitz on them no doubt,,im not sure about any laws here but i think a certain cc size and speed would apply?but rarely enforced,,there was also a craze with long skate boards going down select steep hills,,guys stopping traffic for freinds etc,,its all fun till you get hurt bad i guess.

[cb750f-2010656]

Here in Tyler, Texas, anything with an engine that you put on public roads you will need some sort of license for (in that case, a moped license for up to 249cc), and no motorized vehicles are allowed on the sidewalks.  Sad for the guy.....  Did he crash or get hit?

[dave500]

he ran a red light and got hit,he was a disqualified driver according to the news report and the bicycle was deemed illegal,it wasnt stated what size engine it had but it looked like one of those ready made ones you can buy with a motorcycle lookalike tank and etc,the intersection is eight lanes wide.

[KRONUS0100]

under 50cc here is not require to have registration or helmet or lights.  and i have seen several out on the highways and interstates.   also lots of young kids no helmets on the big ass scooters that can do 70mph riding 2 up with no safety items buzzing in an out of traffic and thru interesections with no regards for other people or the law.

[Greggo]

under 50cc here is not require to have registration or helmet or lights.  and i have seen several out on the highways and interstates.   also lots of young kids no helmets on the big ass scooters that can do 70mph riding 2 up with no safety items buzzing in an out of traffic and thru interesections with no regards for other people or the law.

+1 for California...under 50cc and you don't need a special motorcycle endorsement.  Pretty sure you DO need a license however, maybe even just a learner's permit...scary.

[cb750f-2010656]

.....with no safety items buzzing in an out of traffic and thru interesections with no regards for other people or the law.

But it is sooooo much fun!!  That is what I do only over 100mph and ONCE, with a passenger.  He was more drunk than I was and knew what he was in for.....

[TwoTired]

.....with no safety items buzzing in an out of traffic and thru interesections with no regards for other people or the law.

But it is sooooo much fun!!  That is what I do only over 100mph and ONCE, with a passenger.  He was more drunk than I was and knew what he was in for.....

Was this instigated by one of those "Jackass" shows where stupidity is glorified, popularized?

You don't care about the soccer mom and her load of kids who will be traumatized for life for inadvertenly squashing your guts over a city block?

 

[Goldbug]

It varies from state to state.

In CO a motorized bicycle must be less than 50cc, have a horn that is audible at 100ft and go no more than 30mph.

I have a 49cc Yamaha Jog that theoretically is classified as a motorized bicycle/scooter but it does 45 easily and I weigh 240lbs.

I was considering using a bicycle type frame to build something resembling a board tracker with the 49cc Minarelli engine (same engine my Jog has). My guess is that it would probably go 50mph with a good CVT. My friend's Jog is running a 70cc piston and cylinder and it is a fare bit faster than mine both in acceleration and top end. With the 70cc engine kit I don't think it would be outrageous to think 60mph would be possible in a lightweight bicycle frame. Of course with no suspension or brakes to speak of and a flexible frame you'd probably go splat relatively quickly. It would be fun and fashionable to cruise around at normal speeds though.

[cb750f-2010656]

.....with no safety items buzzing in an out of traffic and thru interesections with no regards for other people or the law.

But it is sooooo much fun!!  That is what I do only over 100mph and ONCE, with a passenger.  He was more drunk than I was and knew what he was in for.....

Was this instigated by one of those "Jackass" shows where stupidity is glorified, popularized?

You don't care about the soccer mom and her load of kids who will be traumatized for life for inadvertenly squashing your guts over a city block?

 

I love Jackass, but no, I don't do it for popularity, I do it for my own adrenaline-based pleasure.  Yes, I really DO care about the soccer moms and their kids, but let's be real:  Usually, car vs. bike, the car wins, and I always purchase the maximum liability insurance policies just in case.  Also, I never push my limits or the limits of the machine in heavy traffic, braking and dodging other vehicles has become reflex, and it is always a road I am familiar with to cut down on variables.  Also, being drunk while riding stupid that night was a one time thing.  I know, that doesn't make me right, but it is the vise I chose.  I'm no saint, but at the same time I suppose I could do worse things, like being part of a gang robbing houses, or making/selling drugs, or DIRECTLY KILLING POEPLE.  At least this way I'm trying NOT to hurt anyone.  TwoTired, I appreciate your concern for public safety.



jwarriner, maybe if you put some really fat tires on that bicycle to absorb some of the shock, 60 might be a little more stable.  Good luck on the brakes, though.

[the technological J]

dear God i thought you were being sarcastic..... if i whack ya im gonna shake my head ... and check your wallet for cash..... ill feel bad tho spending it on beer later that night

[cb750f-2010656]

You've gotta go sometime.  And hey, if I'm dead, you can spend it on crack for all I care.  You can't take it with you.....  Anyway, I am trolling now.  This is my last post in this thread.

[TwoTired]

Usually, car vs. bike, the car wins,

Sure, they'll survive "physically" in the car.  How long will the mental scars last for the kids and adults being in the car that killed/maimed someone else?

Such things have changed individual personalities through such an experience.  Yes, I know it's all about you and your own gratification.  And, if your dead, why should you care if you are responsible for screwing up someones mental state for their entire life.

 

[BobbyR]

+1

[333]

Under 50cc is all it takes to qualify for a moped, so where did the "ped"part go?  The ped part isn't part of the equation anymore.

[Goldbug]

Outdated terminology. Motorized bicycle is what they're referred to as. This covers other types of <50cc powered vehicles like scooters. In CO, once you step above 50cc or add a transmission it's a motorcycle.

[pknopp]

 I believe it's below 50cc here also. But really, he could have been on a pedal bike and had the same thing happen. Matter of fact, it does happen all the time.

[Goldbug]

People get in some nasty downhill wrecks on bikes.

Personally speaking, if I am going down hill at 30mph and someone backs out of their driveway, I'd rather have motorcycle brakes than bicycle brakes.

[BobbyR]

Here is the NY State Law. We may have more laws than people:


Motorized Scooters, Mini-Bikes, Dirt Bikes, Go-Karts, Motor Assisted Bicycles

You cannot register any of the motorized devices from the list below in NYS. You cannot operate these devices on sidewalks, public streets or highways in NYS. These devices are motor vehicles, but they do not have the correct equipment or design for operation on roadways.

    Motorized Scooter - a device with a motor attached and a handlebar for a standing rider.  An example of a motorized scooter is the device called the Go-ped®.
    Mini-bike - a small, motorized device with two wheels and created for off-road use. A mini-bike does not qualify as a moped, a motorcycle or an ATV.
    Dirt Bike - a motorized device like a motorcycle, but created for and used for off-road use. Some "dirt bikes" qualify as an ATV. These vehicles can register and operate off-road as an ATV.
    Go-Kart - a small, motorized device with four wheels, created for off-road use. You cannot register a go-kart as a motor vehicle or ATV because a go-kart does not have the same equipment.
    Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor is attached. A motor-assisted bicycle does not qualify for a registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV and does not have the same equipment.

These devices are not allowed on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You are subject to arrest if you operate one of these motorized vehicles and do not have a registration, driver license, inspection, insurance or correct equipment. The DMV can not provide any information about operation of these devices on private property. Contact the local authorities and property owners.

[Goldbug]

Ah, the Democratic Peoples Republic of New York.