Electric bicycles

Markiemark32 wrote:

wny_pat wrote:
You want to be careful where you ride electric bikes. Some states do not permit them on the roads or sidewalks. Your home state does.
Here is a good place to find out what is what in different states: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws

and at http://www.electricvehiclemall.com/scooterlaws.htm.

You have to be careful riding a bicycle, in general:

First, bicycles need to follow automobile rules:

• Don’t ride on side-walks
• Follow the rules of the road (obey signs, ride on correct side & flow of traffic)
• Don’t ride on limited access, high-speed highways.

Second- Little common sense, don’t be a fool on a bicycle (regular or electric), ride in safe areas, use a helmet, don’t ride at night unless lighted up appropriately, don’t race through heavy pedestrian areas, etc.

Third-Many to most of these electric bikes are pedal assist, most will not know it is electric:

• Very low Horse-power
• Many will not realize they are electric, you still have to pedal some.
• Since new, many to most do not know how to classify (bike, moped, and/or motorcycle)
  

So far, big bicycle manufactures, yet to release many in the US, do too regulations and how to classify, although technology is starting to pop up & we will soon many options.

Markiemark:C

And in my home state, if caught riding one of these, I would get a ticket for illegally operation of a motor vehicle which is not permitted on the streets or sidewalks. I believe that would be a moving violation which would go on my driving record for at least 18 months, and raise my insurance rates!!! And according to my state's DMV web page, I would be subject to arrest if caught riding one of these electric bikes anyplace other than on my private property.