ebike4healthandfitness
10 kW
- Joined
- May 19, 2012
- Messages
- 555
How do you feel about your state's moped laws?
I know Californians have a pretty easy time in that they only have to pay a one registration fee of $23 which does not require renewal or proof of insurance. For electric powered mopeds they are also allowed to have foot pegs (or a floor board) as an option to pedals. Only requirements for registration are automatic transmission, brake horsepower under 4 HP (i.e. 2982 watts or less) and max speed not to exceed 30 mph on flat ground. For operation a driver's license with M2 (moped) or M1 (Motorcycle) endorsement is required as well as the small license plate which is issued after the registration is done.
In contrast, I know New Jersey limits the power of their mopeds to only 1.5 horsepower (1119 watts) and 25 mph. Necessary safety equipment must
be on the moped. There is no need for a moped or motorcycle endorsement on the user's driver's license though.
I bring to this up because I have been, of course, noticing a lot of high power builds at the moped power level (or even at motorcycle power level) but at the same time there is a very strong resistance to equip these builds with the safety equipment (like turn signal indicators, brake light, headlight, sideview mirrors) that keeps the user safe. This because of the fear of looking like a motorcycle. This leads me to wonder how much people don't like their state's moped laws? Is registering your high powered ebike as a moped really that distasteful to you?
P.S. For a good look at what full moped gear looks like see the Juiced bikes HyperScorpion. It builds on the Scorpion X ebike which already has the brake light and large head light and adds front and rear turn signals, side view mirrors, license plate holder, motor with 250 more watts. It still lacks in having DOT tires though, but Juiced claims it can still be registered in California as a moped. I do hope to see the bicycle tires go from the HyperScorpion in the future and in their place tubeless DOT tires from a good brand that is also good model.
I know Californians have a pretty easy time in that they only have to pay a one registration fee of $23 which does not require renewal or proof of insurance. For electric powered mopeds they are also allowed to have foot pegs (or a floor board) as an option to pedals. Only requirements for registration are automatic transmission, brake horsepower under 4 HP (i.e. 2982 watts or less) and max speed not to exceed 30 mph on flat ground. For operation a driver's license with M2 (moped) or M1 (Motorcycle) endorsement is required as well as the small license plate which is issued after the registration is done.
In contrast, I know New Jersey limits the power of their mopeds to only 1.5 horsepower (1119 watts) and 25 mph. Necessary safety equipment must
be on the moped. There is no need for a moped or motorcycle endorsement on the user's driver's license though.
I bring to this up because I have been, of course, noticing a lot of high power builds at the moped power level (or even at motorcycle power level) but at the same time there is a very strong resistance to equip these builds with the safety equipment (like turn signal indicators, brake light, headlight, sideview mirrors) that keeps the user safe. This because of the fear of looking like a motorcycle. This leads me to wonder how much people don't like their state's moped laws? Is registering your high powered ebike as a moped really that distasteful to you?
P.S. For a good look at what full moped gear looks like see the Juiced bikes HyperScorpion. It builds on the Scorpion X ebike which already has the brake light and large head light and adds front and rear turn signals, side view mirrors, license plate holder, motor with 250 more watts. It still lacks in having DOT tires though, but Juiced claims it can still be registered in California as a moped. I do hope to see the bicycle tires go from the HyperScorpion in the future and in their place tubeless DOT tires from a good brand that is also good model.