I've searched and read that California requires no drivers license to ride a 20mph ebike but requires a one-time only $18 moped license plate fee for either an electric powered or gas powered moped (with or without pedals). Permission to ride a moped requires either a M1 motorcycle code on your drivers license or a M2 moped code. The motorcycle license requires a handling test, but I haven't bothered to discover what lower level of testing is needed for a moped license since I have a M1 license.
What I don't know is:
Are there any insurance requirements for a moped or moped rider?
Is an electric moped restricted from paths that an electric bike can use?
To register my project bike as a moped or not is the question. I imagine a moped tag on a bike may discourage police from ticketing 30mph to 40 mph travel on local roads, but I would hate to incur an insurance obligation or off-road bike path use restriction.
Any thoughts from other Californians?
What I don't know is:
Are there any insurance requirements for a moped or moped rider?
Is an electric moped restricted from paths that an electric bike can use?
To register my project bike as a moped or not is the question. I imagine a moped tag on a bike may discourage police from ticketing 30mph to 40 mph travel on local roads, but I would hate to incur an insurance obligation or off-road bike path use restriction.
Any thoughts from other Californians?