It is unfortunate you ended up with a citation and in court IMO. Unless there where some other circumstances such a repeated run-in with the officer or you were downright uncooperative, this should have never gone further than a verbal warning. Though if the officer is challanged at the scene concerning the law, the appropriate thing for everyone involved is to resolve it in court. The officer would have been in the wrong to entertain a debate based on any department's SOP's.
got a criminal citation- e-bikes are unknown in FL court!
- Thread starter Matt Gruber
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Matt Gruber
1 MW
as it turns out, i did the right thing(challenge the cop to get a judges opinion), (should Rosa Parks have gotten up and sat in the rear of the bus, and apoligized?, "i didn't know i could not sit in the front?")
to accept a rookie cops' word on a topic even the judge had no knowledge would be a disservice to the ev community.
look how many can read this and learn.
The judge was so interested, i had a brief talk with him after my case was over. I'm writing him a letter to inform him in more detail.
to accept a rookie cops' word on a topic even the judge had no knowledge would be a disservice to the ev community.
look how many can read this and learn.
The judge was so interested, i had a brief talk with him after my case was over. I'm writing him a letter to inform him in more detail.
Matt Gruber
1 MW
the law is ~well-written as it stands. almost well. sure it should be improved, like PEDALS OPTIONAL.Lessss said:Now to talk to your legislator showing them hobby horses, your Mbike, and those bicycle scooters that are a stand up scooter with a bicycle front end, and have them amend the law. See if you can also get them to up the speed capability to match that of the flow of traffic as well.
Judge knew about striding, i did not have to mention it. But, Lessss, until u told me, i didn't know about it! So this was EXTREMELY HELPFUL! So i was better prepared and confident. Thanks!
Sidebar:
me: "how about i buy an Electric Mongoose Bicycle with pedals?"
Judge"pedals make it a moped. that's easy! needs a tag!"
His objection was, how fast can it go[stride], 10 mph? i replied "that's plenty fast enough for me"
then he scoffed.
i said "i don't want to ride in the street and get killed"
he was puzzled.
me: "i want to ride on the bike path"
Judge: " oh, I SEE, you want a BIKE! in that case no fine OR costs, how is that?
me: DEAL!
Matt Gruber
1 MW
i'm sure glad i didn't hire a lawyer! a good lawyer would have caught my mistake and advised me to plead guilty or no contest and ask for mercy :lol:
instead i argued for the INTENT of the FL legislature. quite effectively. so i beat the rap!
i've watched too many Boston Legal TV shows :wink: Gave my "James Spader" closing argument. It worked!
instead i argued for the INTENT of the FL legislature. quite effectively. so i beat the rap!
i've watched too many Boston Legal TV shows :wink: Gave my "James Spader" closing argument. It worked!
In CA, between 20 and 30mph is classified as a moped and needs a tag.
A moped tag is a one time fee (I forget, but it's cheap) for the life of the vehicle and no insurance is required. Is getting a moped tag in FL a bad thing for some reason?
A moped tag is a one time fee (I forget, but it's cheap) for the life of the vehicle and no insurance is required. Is getting a moped tag in FL a bad thing for some reason?
Matt Gruber
1 MW
worked until 2002
HR727 prohibits requiring a tag for a e-bike.
Mopeds can't ride on bike path.
2008 require special license.
I went to tag office. Application denied. "Motorized bicycle is not registered" Must have VIN. no vin
STREET LEGAL NO TAG.
CLASSIC run-a-round. Judge says get tag. tag office says CANT DO
HR727 prohibits requiring a tag for a e-bike.
Mopeds can't ride on bike path.
2008 require special license.
I went to tag office. Application denied. "Motorized bicycle is not registered" Must have VIN. no vin
STREET LEGAL NO TAG.
CLASSIC run-a-round. Judge says get tag. tag office says CANT DO
His machine isn't a moped by definition in Florida and wouldn't be eligible for registration as one. Mopeds cannot be operated upon sidewalks either which I believe Matt wants to be able to do. A bicycle can be operated upon a sidewalk in Florida as long as the rider gives right of way to pedestrians and local code does not prohibit it.fechter said:
HR727 refers to the manufacture of electric bicycles and does not have anything to do with any State Laws that regulate the use, operation, and requirements of electric bicycles. It part of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Now I'm off to the office on my electric power assited bicycle and no tag.
safe
1 GW
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v_tach said:
As far as I'm concerned the electric bike should stay on the roads and leave the pedestrians alone. Our bikes are (or should) be able to allow us to get around on side streets without too much of a problem. Freeways are obviously off limits.
What seems to be needed is a special class of electric bike that is powerful enough to handle city/suburban streets and yet requires a drivers license so that people are proven to be able to know how to handle the laws of the roads.
I never go on sidewalks with my bike... the idea itself just seems weird... :?
xyster
10 MW
I ride on sidewalks when possible and convenient. A 2000lb car versus me on my bike at 20+mph will not end well for me. Me on my 100lb bike versus a ped at 6-12mph will probably not end badly for either of us.
Matt Gruber
1 MW
to set the record straight i only tried my mbike ONCE on the sidewalk and did NOT like it. Bike path is best for me as it is wider and usually has no bike traffic.
i agree with xy, i'll take a sidewalk over any narrow road with fast cars with no shoulder
.
the police commander says my psev is ok on the sidewalk. go figure
i agree with xy, i'll take a sidewalk over any narrow road with fast cars with no shoulder
.
the police commander says my psev is ok on the sidewalk. go figure
safe
1 GW
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- 5,681
In the suburbs the speed limits are usually 25 mph on most of the roads or sometimes 35 mph and the tributaries can be about 40 mph. If your electric bike can keep up with traffic then they don't need to pass you. Sidewalks are for little kids and adult pedestrians. It's just not a good idea to be using the sidewalks. The main thing is to stay clear of those big 4 lane tributaries that carry the 40 mph commuter traffic, they get really scary.
Stick to suburban roads, back roads, unused roads. (like my racetrack on a housing development that never was built) Simply avoid people and traffic... but stick to the roads... be selective in the roads you ride on. I avoid some roads because I know they are not well designed for bike usage. (no shoulder, poor visibility, etc)
Bike paths are fine if you have them in your area...
Stick to suburban roads, back roads, unused roads. (like my racetrack on a housing development that never was built) Simply avoid people and traffic... but stick to the roads... be selective in the roads you ride on. I avoid some roads because I know they are not well designed for bike usage. (no shoulder, poor visibility, etc)
Bike paths are fine if you have them in your area...
xyster
10 MW
But many drivers make it a point to intimidate by tailgating before accelerating and passing anyway, even if I'm in the middle of the freakin' lane going the flippin' speed limit.
SamRam
1 W
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2011
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xyster said:
I hear that man. First few weeks of driving the Borg, flew around because I didn't want to get hit.
I've had plenty of experience with biking in traffic, but apparently the greyborg doesn't look like a normal bike.
A few times I was stopped because the police basically didn't know what I was driving.
A few warnings later and the controller got set a bit slower, removed the three speed
I basically only drive around cars when I absoloutly have to.
My city is busy and people are always in a hurry, even if the roads are frozen and slippery.
A few days ago I had a cop pass me, giving me dirty looks for not driving in the snow drift of a bike lane.
He then almost slid into a city bus when following too close.
Sure gave him an impressed look down the road hahaha.
Basically just find a nice rout that doesn't involve traffic. Pedal, always pedal. Your knee's will thank You for the exersize
Be polite, don't rush. If You wanna fly, take it to a field, or track.
Don't go on public roads with a giant E-Grin... it's a crappy time dealing with the the E-Grin police.
A lot of good stuff to keep in mind in this thread.
I'm sorry to hear of such a difficult situation, but I'm glad it all leveled out.
Sucks getting the run around trying to avoid infractions,
When you just want to ride a clean vehicle.
dogman dan
1 PW
Exactly the right attitude Sam.
Where I live, dawn sunday morning is a good time to let the EV grin out. Ride like hell for 40 min, and never get seen. Leave skid marks all over the grade schools new pavement, then go have breakfast.
After the world wakes up, just another pedaler it appears.
Where I live, dawn sunday morning is a good time to let the EV grin out. Ride like hell for 40 min, and never get seen. Leave skid marks all over the grade schools new pavement, then go have breakfast.
After the world wakes up, just another pedaler it appears.
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