Nineball,
I 100% disagree with the approach. If there's history then that's one thing and much harder to overcome, but otherwise in a small town being up front and chatting up the local authorities is the way to go. They have wide latitude regarding enforcement, and laws limiting ebikes are unjust laws, so you have right and fair on your side. If there's a complaint, find out what it is and address it. If you're unknown then people are suspicious and their imaginations wander, so buying a cup of coffee and talking with an officer to let them know you're just a regular guy trying to save a buck using the most efficient form of transportation known to man is time well spent. Simply letting them see you're harmless citizen minding your own business will put their mind at ease, and they'll focus attention elsewhere. If you're a bit quirky, then telling them know you're a part time inventor is an idea. If they already know you and you think they don't like you, then money problems and ebiking to save every penny for a move to Florida is likely to net you leeway. Ebikes are different and change makes people nervous. Put their minds at ease and you're likely to get the freedom you want.
If it's state troopers that have an issue, then stop and talk with them. Their focus is likely to be more on safety, so maybe some better lighting or reflectors would encourage them to look the other way. If slow speed is their issue, then tell them you've gotten your machine so efficient that with pedaling added to the Federal power limit you think you can push it up to the posted speed limit, but you haven't tried a higher gearing out of fear drawing undue attention. Be sure to include that you go out of your way to be safe, cautious and courteous, especially around cars and pedestrians, and that kids shouldn't be allowed to ride machines like yours, because it's not a toy.
Be sure to get names. Dropping the name of an officer you've already hashed things out with, is a tremendous advantage when dealing with the next one. Smiles and "sirs" go a long long way too. You can even use your interpretation of the previous discussion to twist the agreed upon terms with the other officer slightly more in your favor.
The bottom line is that there's nothing wrong with ebiking which puts you on the good side of right, and all laws are subject to selective enforcement with strangers getting the least leeway. Since you already have attention, it's time to get things out in the open, and in a small town environment it's easy to get the resolution in your favor. Switching to 2 wheels is unlikely to help, since you're already on their radar.
NY sucks!!
