"Motorized foot scooter" means a device with no more than two ten-inch or smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be stood upon by the operator, and is powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion at a speed no more than twenty miles per hour on level ground.
For purposes of this section, a motor-driven cycle, a moped, an electric-assisted bicycle, or a motorcycle is not a motorized foot scooter.
"Electric-assisted bicycle" means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle's electric motor must have a power output of no more than one thousand watts, be incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than twenty miles per hour on level ground, and be incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device beyond twenty miles per hour.
"Moped" means a motorized device designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and having an electric or a liquid fuel motor with a cylinder displacement not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters which produces no more than two gross brake horsepower (developed by a prime mover, as measured by a brake applied to the driving shaft) that is capable of propelling the device at not more than thirty miles per hour on level ground.
"Motor-driven cycle" means every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor that produces not to exceed five brake horsepower (developed by a prime mover, as measured by a brake applied to the driving shaft). A motor-driven cycle does not include a moped, a power wheelchair, a motorized foot scooter, or an electric personal assistive mobility device.
"Electric personal assistive mobility device" (EPAMD) means a self-balancing device with two wheels not in tandem, designed to transport only one person by an electric propulsion system with an average power of seven hundred fifty watts (one horsepower) having a maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a propulsion system while ridden by an operator weighing one hundred seventy pounds, of less than twenty miles per hour.
They're quoting US Code...Wikipedia said:The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act states that electric bicycles and tricycles meeting the definition of low-speed electric bicycles will be considered consumer products to be regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
US Code said:Low-Speed Electric Bicycles
Pub. L. 107–319, §2, Dec. 4, 2002, 116 Stat. 2776, provided that: “For purposes of motor vehicle safety standards issued and enforced pursuant to chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, a low-speed electric bicycle (as defined in section 38(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Act [15 U.S.C. 2085(b)]) shall not be considered a motor vehicle as defined by section 30102(6) of title 49, United States Code.”
Consumer Product Safety Act said:Low-Speed Electric Bicycles Sec. 38 [15 U.S.C. § 2085].
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, low-speed electric bicycles are consumer products within the meaning of section 3(a)(1) [15 U.S.C. § 2052 (a)(1)] and shall be subject to the Commission regulations published at section 1500.18(a)(12) and part 1512 of title 16, Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term "low-speed electric bicycle" means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph.
(c) To further protect the safety of consumers who ride low-speed electric bicycles, the Commission may promulgate new or amended requirements applicable to such vehicles as necessary and appropriate.
(d) This section shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to low-speed electric bicycles to the extent that such State law or requirement is more stringent than the Federal law or requirements referred to in subsection (a).
It really is a moot point once the ADA is invoked, since multi-use and bicycle-only paths aren't roadways you can claim disability and use whatever you want on them subject to restriction limited to objective criteria that has to be articulated by the governing entity. Pedaling is detrimental to the hair on my knees.Chalo said:If it were my call, only pedelecs would be able to enjoy bicycle access privileges. As it is you have folks riding around on non-DOT mopeds or motorcycles with pedals, not upholding the administrative responsibilities of motorcyclists (which isn't fair to real motorcyclists), and helping themselves to bike/ped only infrastructure (which isn't fair to cyclists and peds).
I don't think it should be a bicycle unless the juice only comes on when you're pedaling. If you can't or won't pedal, just use an electric wheelchair-- they have almost universal rights of access.
Shorts not an option? :wink:gogo said:Pedaling is detrimental to the hair on my knees.
r3volved said:I would love an ebike category that allowed pegs and top speed up to 50kph and anything over that is a total motorcycle. I would personally limit the 'e-moto' to the street and declassify it as an 'ebike' on paths.
Chalo said:If it were my call, only pedelecs would be able to enjoy bicycle access privileges. As it is you have folks riding around on non-DOT mopeds or motorcycles with pedals, not upholding the administrative responsibilities of motorcyclists (which isn't fair to real motorcyclists), and helping themselves to bike/ped only infrastructure (which isn't fair to cyclists and peds).
I don't think it should be a bicycle unless the juice only comes on when you're pedaling. If you can't or won't pedal, just use an electric wheelchair-- they have almost universal rights of access.