I got pulled over tonight for not having plates on my Skeuter. The reason I didn't have plates is that my current scoot is a loaner from the owner of Skeuter - a 600w model to ride while I wait for a 1500w to arrive. They asked to see my license, and I gave it to them, explaining that it was an electric bike. I do have a learner's permit, but that doesn't allow me to ride after dark, and this was around 9:30pm. Anyways, they got confused when I told them it was electric, and said that it's either an off-road vehicle or a "vehicle' vehicle (very helpful, right?), in which case I need a license. I didn't want to argue too much, so i left it at that. They remarked that it "looked like it was trying to be street legal", and since I didn't have the proper license, they had to impound it. I gave them the key and called my girlfriend to pick me up.
I go to the station tomorrow, I'll give you another update after what I'm sure will be a fun ordeal.
Where did this occur and why do you think they pulled you over?
Laws are so crazy, in kansas where i am it its pretty good, but other places jesus. UK and australia 250-200 watts, are you kidding. Where i live the bicycle assit is 3.5 horsepower and a max design speed of 30 mph(Shawnee county). However you pretty much cant get a scooter for the road. You cant ride an electric scooter on the road unless it produces over 3.5 horsepower, then it is a motorcycle and has to have vin etc. Its just odd that once you add some pedals to a scooter(xb-600) bam its leagal. The law(kansas) does state though that an electric bicycle is 2 or 3 wheeled with fully operative pedals for propulsion. Just thinking that you could market or build some very small pedals that attach to the deck and either has a wheel that drops down or the pedals charge the battery, then the scooter would be classified as an electric assisted bicycle.
Have you been able to get your Skeuter back from impound and if so is it still in working condition?
Chas S.
My Bicycle Pages
` :(
Well I believe we will be seeing more and more of that happening. The Kids on the Pocket Bikes started it, by flying down the street, not helmets etc. Citizens begin to complain, legislation is passed and we are getting caught up in it. We were not even aware a City Ordinances was written and passed, until someone else on a petrol had the same problem. I was stopped a few doors from my home, and the Officer insisted I had a Motorized Scooter, I showed him I had pedals etc, and he said it was still a Motorized Scooter. Had the conversation continued, he could have impounded it, and just said tell it to the Judge. It would have been thrown out, mainly because he isn't going to use a day off to come to court, after several Court dates. It's too heavy to throw in his trunk, so a regular Tow truck would come hook it up, breaking everything and take it to the yard were it would be stripped and left out in the elements. Since most Municipalities are self insured, I may have recovered some of the damage caused.
We are also bringing it on our selves, as the Police start catching us on Radar going over 30 mph on something that is not suppose to go over 30 mph, they will begin asking for additional legislation, and we'll be trying to explain it all to a Judge.
What we need is better legislation, with some input from the EV community rather than continue to fudge it.
What's on the market now, was just a glem in our eyes, when most of the current legislation was written and passed, and I doubt if any of us were there to add our comments at any of the hearings.
We really need a "Legislation Watch" it's all public records, and there has to be a public announcement prior to the Hearing. We just dropped the ball.
Peace Out,
Gman
Now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our Community Mission Statement
Peace Out, <img src="http://tinyurl.com/ysafbn">
Gman
I think the issue is a bit fuzzy, and additional factors need to be considered to be fair such as vehicle weight. Bicycles can travel faster than 30 mph, but they are pretty light and quiet. If they allow powerful heavy noisy scooters to travel on bicycle paths, than they will also have to allow noisy smelly gassers.
To be fair I think they need to consider a lot more than just power and speed such as:
Vehicle weight
Vehicle size
noise output
pollution output
vehicle safety
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Avatar taken from http://www.electricmotorbike.org/
Anyone got one they want to sell?
My KZ750 Project: here
[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/587-my-kz750-electric-motorcycle-project]KZ750 Motorcycle Conversion[/url]
[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/588-fixing-my-chinese-scooter]900 watt scooter[/url]
Pic from http://www.electri
` ;)
Also level ground, and head wind etc. If you notice the Ordinance seems to be saying it's ok for devices used by persons with disabilities for the purpose of mobility to go over 30mph and are not covered by the Ordinance.
So if I borrow my Father's Handicapped sticker, or carry a cane with me, I can do what ever I want?
Well they know Handicapped people vote, and are organized so they are off limits.
Peace Out,
Gman
Now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our Community Mission Statement
Peace Out, <img src="http://tinyurl.com/ysafbn">
Gman
I did get the bike back - it took a couple trips back and forth to the police station, DMV, scooter shop, tow yard. I had to register it, for which they charged me nearly $200 (for a $1400 vehicle!), then the cops gave me a release form which I was able to use to get it out of impound. Seems like it did fine in the tow yard - I was a bit worried that they would leave it on and I would find it dead and unable to ride home, but there was still a full charge, so no problems there.
I'm holding off on riding it until I get my full motorcycle license - though I'm still not convinced that I legally need it, I don't want to ever go through that again.
Also of note - the cop claimed that there was no more M1/M2 distinction (M1 for motorcycles, M2 for mopeds), but the California DMV says otherwise. They also said I was 'insane' for riding it on the street and asked why I don't buy a car or a 'Real' motorcycle.