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01-29-2007, 12:55 PM

["Followup-To:" header set to rec.bicycles.misc.]
On 2007-01-29, Curtis L Russell <curtis@md-bicycling.org> wrote:
> On Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:48:42 GMT, Kristian M Zoerhoff
><kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>IOW, there is no such thing as an "electric bicycle" in Illinois. This has
>>interesting implications for manufacturers of such.
>
> It may, depending on how the rest of the laws are written, and it will
> vary by state. They will probably benefit from the lobbying efforts of
> the Segway to open up where electric powered vehicles may be used. It
> really doesn't make any difference what it is called - the issue is
> where it is allowed to be used. There are plenty of electric powered
> vehicles that will drive wedges into areas not currently permitted:
> Segways, golf carts (used in many golf course communities) and
> electric carts for handicapped (definitely a wedge on multi-use
> paths).

Actually, all of the above are covered in IL, much to my surpirse.

Segways are considered scooters, and restricted to sidewalks.
Golf Carts are banned, unless specifically allowed by a municipality
within its limits.
Handicapped carts are specifically allowed on sidewalks, but limited to
8 mph top speed. MUPs are considered sidewalks for this purpose.

> I doubt that there will be significant legal limitations on
> electric-powered bicycles/pedalcycles/whatevers and fewer in real
> life.

Well, technically, there aren't many now; they're mopeds, and mopeds are
allowed on public roads. Mopeds do require a driver's license, though
(IL has a special class L license for folks who can't/won't get a
standard DL).

> Look what a pain (briefly) the gas powered skate boards were, I
> saw no attempt to limit their use, even where illegal.

You don't live around Chicago. Cook County banned them outright, and
there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth over them from TPTB.
They had a pretty short half-life.

> The real problem for regular cyclists IMO will be if they are as
> silent as the Prius is compared to other powered vehicles. A Prius
> working only under electrical power can surprise people in a parking
> lot. So would an electrical vehicle on a MUP.

That's a problem [1], and it does uncover one restriction on electric
bikes under current state law here: "motorized" vehicles are banned
from the major MUPs in this area. However, given their stealth nature,
most elctric cyclists could probably get by, as long as they don't go
tearing along at 20 mph.

[1] One can say the same for a bicycle, of course. That's why I have a
bell on mine.

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com
(_)/ (_)

01-29-2007, 12:55 PM	#23 (permalink)
Kristian M Zoerhoff Posts: n/a	Re: electric bikes on centuries ["Followup-To:" header set to rec.bicycles.misc.] On 2007-01-29, Curtis L Russell <curtis@md-bicycling.org> wrote: > On Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:48:42 GMT, Kristian M Zoerhoff ><kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com> wrote: > >>IOW, there is no such thing as an "electric bicycle" in Illinois. This has >>interesting implications for manufacturers of such. > > It may, depending on how the rest of the laws are written, and it will > vary by state. They will probably benefit from the lobbying efforts of > the Segway to open up where electric powered vehicles may be used. It > really doesn't make any difference what it is called - the issue is > where it is allowed to be used. There are plenty of electric powered > vehicles that will drive wedges into areas not currently permitted: > Segways, golf carts (used in many golf course communities) and > electric carts for handicapped (definitely a wedge on multi-use > paths). Actually, all of the above are covered in IL, much to my surpirse. Segways are considered scooters, and restricted to sidewalks. Golf Carts are banned, unless specifically allowed by a municipality within its limits. Handicapped carts are specifically allowed on sidewalks, but limited to 8 mph top speed. MUPs are considered sidewalks for this purpose. > I doubt that there will be significant legal limitations on > electric-powered bicycles/pedalcycles/whatevers and fewer in real > life. Well, technically, there aren't many now; they're mopeds, and mopeds are allowed on public roads. Mopeds do require a driver's license, though (IL has a special class L license for folks who can't/won't get a standard DL). > Look what a pain (briefly) the gas powered skate boards were, I > saw no attempt to limit their use, even where illegal. You don't live around Chicago. Cook County banned them outright, and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth over them from TPTB. They had a pretty short half-life. > The real problem for regular cyclists IMO will be if they are as > silent as the Prius is compared to other powered vehicles. A Prius > working only under electrical power can surprise people in a parking > lot. So would an electrical vehicle on a MUP. That's a problem [1], and it does uncover one restriction on electric bikes under current state law here: "motorized" vehicles are banned from the major MUPs in this area. However, given their stealth nature, most elctric cyclists could probably get by, as long as they don't go tearing along at 20 mph. [1] One can say the same for a bicycle, of course. That's why I have a bell on mine. -- __o Kristian Zoerhoff _'\(,_ kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com (_)/ (_)