Monday, February 10, 2014

Is an electric scooter with under 50cc in California considered a moped or a bike?




Speranza


Hi, I am choosing to sell my car that is 400 dollars every couple of weeks for repairs.
I want to have a moped instead, and I do not intend to go at a high speed or travel far. I solely want to use one to commute to college, which is 3 miles from my house.

I was wondering if I'd register the following as bikes or mopeds at the DMV because some come with pedals...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120889044022+
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ZEV-3600-SE-Electric-Motorcycle-Scooter-Motorbike-Ebike-Lithium-USA-VIN-/150790632800?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item231bd27560



Answer
What *IS* a "moped" -- http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=veh
---quote---
406. (a) A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical
energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor which produces less than 2 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.
---end quote ---
The first vehicle has a 500 watt motor, it is legally a "moped." Problem -- http://taotao.us/index.cfm/electric-vehicles/ate-501/ -- it is only capable of 20 mph. You can ride a pedal bicycle faster. To ride legally you need to have a Class-M2 (or Class M1) endorsement on your driver's license. You must have to take and pass the CMSP Basic Ridercourse class.

The second vehicle can hit 50 mph. It is *NOT* a "moped." It is a motorcycle, same as my 652cc cruiser. To ride legally you need to have a Class-M1 endorsement on your driver's license. You must have to take and pass the CMSP Basic Ridercourse class.

The requirements for an M2 license are *exactly* for an M1 license. You can a Moped (M2), or a Moped or motorcycle (M1) license. Since it takes the *same* to get an M2 license, you might as well get the M1.

The BAD: Either is Cheap Chinese Crap. Neither is reliable. Neither has parts. Neither have a dealer for service. Buy one and in less than 6 months you will likely have to toss into the trash and buy another.

The GOOD: You can click on Craigslist and find a used 50cc Japanese scooter for under $1000 -- with a dealer nearby that will service and have parts available.

Could a person under 16 operate a motorized vehicle on a roadway or sidewalk?




Culley


my son is 14 going on 15 and I was wondering if it was legal for him to operate one of the following vehicles on the road or sidewalk:
- Go cart
- Moped (less than 50cc)
- Motorbike (less than 50cc)
- electric motorbike
- A bike converted to run off a chainsaw engine

Just for reference we live in Loudon County, Va. in a suburban bordering on rural area. Also if you know any other street or sidewalk legal vehicles he could operate, could you suggest them? I have a price limit of around $1000, but willing to spring for something if you recommend it. Thanks!!



Answer
Motor vehicle laws are local and this forum is National with international visitors. Your best source of information will be you state DMV which may have some FAQ you could check on a website like this one: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/drivers/#teen.asp

You also might look for your specific question relative to your state

Go carts seem to be available for off road use: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090707204036AAnwhK5 contact those in business for the relative regulations

Mopeds in Va: http://www.scootrichmond.com/shopping-tools/virginia-moped-and-motorcycle-laws

motorized bicycles at less than 49cc would come under the moped exemptions/restrictions: http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?36692-Motorized-bikes-in-Virginia

Electric bikes seems to also fall under moped rules: http://www.electricvehiclemall.com/pdf/Virginia_E-Bike_Law.pdf

The fatal exclusion is that your son must be 16.




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