Is it still an ebike? Will you be harassed?

[SamTexas]

I think this is a layman's non-technical view that the court might well embrace - you put in gas and *that* makes it go.

Ha ha... I see your reasoning now. But if the court sees it that way then by definition there is NO electric vehicle. Electricity doesn't exist in nature in the form that is readily usable. It has to be made by converting some other form of energy, oil, natural gas, water or wind potential, nuclear, etc...

[teklektik]

BTW - The whole issue of State regulation in this area seems to have led to some pretty startling disparities - NM is pretty cool, as Dogman related, but neighboring states CT and NY are on different planets. I was blown away when I recently discovered that ebikes are flat out illegal in New York as detailed in the doc link earlier in this thread:

"Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor is attached. A motor-assisted bicycle does not qualify for a registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV and does not have the same equipment."
...
"These devices are not allowed on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic.

Yikes!

But - across the state line: Connecticut implemented this truly wondrous statute in 2011:

See: http://www.cga.ct.gov/lco/statute_Web_Site_LCO.htm

Sec. 14-1. *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Definitions. Terms used in this chapter shall be construed as follows, unless another construction is clearly apparent from the language or context in which the term is used or unless the construction is inconsistent with the manifest intention of the General Assembly:

(52) "Motor-driven cycle" means any motorcycle, motor scooter, or bicycle
a. with attached motor
b. with a seat height of not less than twenty-six inches and
c. a motor that produces five brake horsepower or less;

(53) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled or drawn by any nonmuscular power, except
a. aircraft,
...
m. motor-driven cycles as defined in section 14-286,
...
p. any other vehicle not suitable for operation on a highway;

(54) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle, with or without a side car, having not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and a saddle or seat on which the rider sits or a platform on which the rider stands, but does not include a motor-driven cycle, as defined in this section, or a vehicle having or designed to have a completely enclosed driver's seat and a motor which is not in the enclosed area;

The short form: an ebike of up to 3.75KW is legal in CT... No speed limit.
Yikes again!

[SamTexas]

The short form: an ebike of up to 3.75KW is legal in CT... No speed limit.
Yikes again!

No registration? No driver licence? No special permit? No insurance? Can it be used wherever regular bicycles are used? If not, then nothing's special or new.

Ebikes are great because of those.

[Alan B]

Santa Cruz requires a bicycle license according to one source.

http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=1520

Wonder if Luke has one for his bike?

Are these rules enforced?

How many folks have bicycle licenses for their bikes?

[SamTexas]

... - NM is pretty cool, as Dogman related, ...

At first I thought NM is cool too until I learned that you need a driver license because NM doesn't have any law for ebikes. So ebikes are considered mopeds. Not cool at all.

[teklektik]

The short form: an ebike of up to 3.75KW is legal in CT... No speed limit.
Yikes again!

No registration? No driver licence? No special permit? No insurance? Can it be used wherever regular bicycles are used? If not, then nothing's special or new.
Ebikes are great because of those.

No registration. Either driver license or special permit. No insurance. Cannot ride on sidewalk (bike paths are not sidewalks). Ride in right lane except when turning left. So, essentially no restrictions if you can drive a car. But again, the point was that ride across the state line and, well, you can't ride (lawfully).

[SamTexas]

Either driver license or special permit.

That makes it a moped. Basically the same as in NM.

[corkscrew]

Here in Idaho, I could see you being harassed if your riding local bike/walking paths with the generator running. Hell, I get heavily annoyed at the people that sneak on the local path with their ICE bikes. Smelly ICE engine exhaust (esp the 2 stroke monsters people seem to love around here) is horrible for your lungs when your doing 15mph+ on a pedal bike. (I say pedal bike because I tend to keep my trike on the roads, where I can go full speed without mowing over pedestrians).

With it just sitting in the trailer, I don't think it would be a problem at all. If your riding in the streets with it running, it wouldn't be a big deal either.

[miro13car]

from common sense it is about using gasoline generator on recrational path for ebike or not.
Of course you would get negative comments from people.
Instead using stinky gasoline I would concentrate on where can I find el. outlet.

[shock]

I just build mine stealth, ride it sane, and not worry about laws. Has worked out great so far.

BTW I would never, under no circumstance, ever drag an ICE behind my ebike. I would think that's common sense...