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02-01-2007, 08:43 AM

["Followup-To:" header set to rec.bicycles.misc.]
On 2007-02-01, OldGirl <oldgirl@rr.com> wrote:
>
> "Kristian M Zoerhoff" <kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:eKTvh.57350$wc5.44622@newssvr25.news.prodigy. net...
>> On 2007-01-31, OldGirl <oldgirl@rr.com> wrote:
>>> A couple of clarifications:
>>>
>>> 1. There is a federal law that states that if a bicycle has an electric
>>> motor and is limited to a top speed of 20 mph, it is a considered a
>>> bicycle.
>>> This preempts the state laws. Some states have a broader definition,
>>> some
>>> require pedals some don't. But in all 50 states an electric bike limited
>>> to
>>> 20 mph is a bike.
>>
>> Can you please cite? This conflicts with (at a minimum) Illinois state
>> law, so
>> I'm quite naturally curious about it.
>>
>
> Public Law 107-319, section 1, 116 Stat. 2776.
> The Act defines the term ``low-speed electric bicycle'' as follows:
>
>
> (b) for purposes of this section, the term ``low-speed electric
> bicycle'' means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable
> pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose
> maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such
> a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less
> than 20 mph.

OK, I figured this is what was being referenced. However, this law relates
only to required /equipment/ for motor vehicles; the above definition
(which is, as stated, "for purposes of this section") is restricted in
scope to this arena, and has no bearing on operational regulations or
operator licensing by the states.

In practice, this law prevents states from classifying electric bikes as
motorcycles and forcing the requisite lights and turn signals on them,
but nothing else. Taking Illinois as my example, this is moot, as
electric bikes are classified as mopeds, which have the same equipment
restrictions as bicycles (except that the operator's eyes must be
protected by a clear shield of some kind -- a helmet is sufficient).

I did see a related US law that required bike paths built with federal
funding to allow electric bikes; that one is the more interesting law
to me, as virtually all MUPs around here lately are built with CMAQ
funds.

<http://www.electric-bikes.com/legal.htm> seems to have a decent discussion
of the legal issues involved, though the details are fuzzy (his IL data,
for example, says 25 mph when the law online says 30).

--

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

02-01-2007, 08:43 AM	#60 (permalink)
Kristian M Zoerhoff Guest Posts: n/a	Re: electric bikes on centuries ["Followup-To:" header set to rec.bicycles.misc.] On 2007-02-01, OldGirl <oldgirl@rr.com> wrote: > > "Kristian M Zoerhoff" <kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:eKTvh.57350$wc5.44622@newssvr25.news.prodigy. net... >> On 2007-01-31, OldGirl <oldgirl@rr.com> wrote: >>> A couple of clarifications: >>> >>> 1. There is a federal law that states that if a bicycle has an electric >>> motor and is limited to a top speed of 20 mph, it is a considered a >>> bicycle. >>> This preempts the state laws. Some states have a broader definition, >>> some >>> require pedals some don't. But in all 50 states an electric bike limited >>> to >>> 20 mph is a bike. >> >> Can you please cite? This conflicts with (at a minimum) Illinois state >> law, so >> I'm quite naturally curious about it. >> > > Public Law 107-319, section 1, 116 Stat. 2776. > The Act defines the term ``low-speed electric bicycle'' as follows: > > > (b) for purposes of this section, the term ``low-speed electric > bicycle'' means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable > pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose > maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such > a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less > than 20 mph. OK, I figured this is what was being referenced. However, this law relates only to required /equipment/ for motor vehicles; the above definition (which is, as stated, "for purposes of this section") is restricted in scope to this arena, and has no bearing on operational regulations or operator licensing by the states. In practice, this law prevents states from classifying electric bikes as motorcycles and forcing the requisite lights and turn signals on them, but nothing else. Taking Illinois as my example, this is moot, as electric bikes are classified as mopeds, which have the same equipment restrictions as bicycles (except that the operator's eyes must be protected by a clear shield of some kind -- a helmet is sufficient). I did see a related US law that required bike paths built with federal funding to allow electric bikes; that one is the more interesting law to me, as virtually all MUPs around here lately are built with CMAQ funds. <http://www.electric-bikes.com/legal.htm> seems to have a decent discussion of the legal issues involved, though the details are fuzzy (his IL data, for example, says 25 mph when the law online says 30). -- __o Kristian Zoerhoff _'\(,_ kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com (_)/ (_)