The fingers
10 TW
An e bike controller with jamming capability rendering police car lights, computers, and radios inoperable within a one mile radius is on my Christmas wish list. 
Breaking UK/US Motor Wattage limit.
- Thread starter lotrwiz
- Start date
yuyuyak
1 mW
Just a bit of clarification on US laws. I've been researching that lately as I'm starting on my 1st build slowly right now, waiting for my batteries from the good Doctor.
It's true that it varies from state to state. I saw info that New York does now allow ebikes, but I can't substantiate with a source. In California where I live the motor must be less than 1000 watts. So I guess the 1000 watt motor I'm getting will have the Big Chicken Motor sticker since I will be 1 watt over the limit. Like the lawmakers even know what a watt is.
But anyhow all that is moot because technically Federal law trumps state law. US Federal law states that the motor "shall be 750 watts or less." So much for laws.
Seems to be changing by the day. My two cents...
It's true that it varies from state to state. I saw info that New York does now allow ebikes, but I can't substantiate with a source. In California where I live the motor must be less than 1000 watts. So I guess the 1000 watt motor I'm getting will have the Big Chicken Motor sticker since I will be 1 watt over the limit. Like the lawmakers even know what a watt is.
But anyhow all that is moot because technically Federal law trumps state law. US Federal law states that the motor "shall be 750 watts or less." So much for laws.
Seems to be changing by the day. My two cents...
dogman dan
1 PW
That fed law pertains only to selling ebikes, and still calling them a "bike" It has nothing to do with the legality of riding one. Many states do have a version very close to the fed laws in their state vehicle code.
Yes, your state vehicle codes and even local city ordinances govern street use of ALL motor vehicles in the USA, including bikes, mopeds, and even horse and buggy.
CA has one of the more complicated statutes, with a bike level and a moped level. That's good and bad, since they overregulate the moped class IMO.
Even in CA though, a person riding responsibly has a great tendency to just get ignored by cops. Police have other jerks to regulate who are doing much worse things than going 25 mph on an ebike.
Back a few comments, In my state a pedal bike is a "vehicle" but not a "motor vehicle". If you put a motor on your bike, it's a moped. And that is a motor vehicle, but not one that requires insurance to operate.
Hell yeah you are liable for any mayhem you cause. That is the same if you pedal or motor.
Yes, your state vehicle codes and even local city ordinances govern street use of ALL motor vehicles in the USA, including bikes, mopeds, and even horse and buggy.
CA has one of the more complicated statutes, with a bike level and a moped level. That's good and bad, since they overregulate the moped class IMO.
Even in CA though, a person riding responsibly has a great tendency to just get ignored by cops. Police have other jerks to regulate who are doing much worse things than going 25 mph on an ebike.
Back a few comments, In my state a pedal bike is a "vehicle" but not a "motor vehicle". If you put a motor on your bike, it's a moped. And that is a motor vehicle, but not one that requires insurance to operate.
Hell yeah you are liable for any mayhem you cause. That is the same if you pedal or motor.
A PAS system isn't mandatory under UK EPAC laws. Throttles are not allowed under European law EN 15194. As I said before, nobody is checking, but if you were involved in an accident, someone might check your bike, so it's advisable to have a well-engineered bike with good brakes and tyres, brake cut-offs, properly tied down wires, secure battery, etc. Each defect would be added to the case against you to show that you're reckless and an accident waiting to happen rather than a guy who wanted a little bit of extra power.
