Should Motorised Bicycles be licensed?

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Sirius B Project Donor
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Message 1296522 - Posted: 18 Oct 2012, 14:15:50 UTC

Over the past few weeks, I had some narrow misses with motorised bicycles on pavements(sidewalks) & unfortunately, one which did not miss this morning.

Fortunately for me, the incident was witnessed by a traffic warden who grabbed the idiot until the police turned up. Cyclist was arrested & charged & I was patched up at the hospital.

Our city has become inundated with these with most using the roads, but some continuously use the pavements.

Even though the speed of these "vehicles" is not more than 20mph, they can still cause serious damage. As far as I am concerned, they should be taxed & licensed like motorcycles.

I have written to the Chief Constable, local rag, local council & MP, yet nothing seems to be getting done about this.
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Message 1296537 - Posted: 18 Oct 2012, 15:01:06 UTC - in response to Message 1296536.  
Last modified: 18 Oct 2012, 15:02:41 UTC

It's the same laws throughout the country Chris. Agree with the police statement. I'm just waiting for an accident to happen with one of those & a car/truck. Maybe then we'll see something done.

Edit:

Just think of all that lovely lolly in Road Tax & Insurance, MOT & Driving licenses.... :)
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Message 1296587 - Posted: 18 Oct 2012, 16:35:17 UTC - in response to Message 1296537.  

Being an avid Bike rider, I know the law in Texas. Any vehicle that surpasses 10 mph cannot be ridden on the sidewalk. Children of course are an exception to that rule.
motorized vehicles are specifically forbidden from sidewalks

From the Texas DMV

A scooter is not a legal vehicle classification so it will need to be registered as either a moped or motorcycle and you will be required to have a class M license. By legal definition a moped must meet all three of the following criteria and be on our online Certified Moped List (see link below) prior to registration. If the moped in question meets the criteria, but is not on our list it may be added by following the directions on our website for submitting a Moped Affidavit (see link below). If a two-wheeled vehicle does not meet all three criteria it must be registered as a motorcycle.

cannot attain a speed more than 30 miles per hour
has a piston displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less and
does not require the operator to shift gears


also of note
To be legally operated on a public street or highway, a motor vehicle must have a certificate of title and be properly registered with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT). In general, TXDOT does not authorize the issuance of certificates of title for mini motorcycles. Therefore, the mini motorcycles are not eligible for registration. The main reason is that the majority of mini motorcycles lack a manufacturer's certificate of origin or equivalent document which is required for titling. Also the vehicles do not meet the equipment standards required by federal and Texas law. In addition, only DPS-approved moped models may be registered in Texas. Currently, no mini motorcycle model is on the list of approved mopeds.

Some buyers have been told that mini motorcycles can be legally operated on low speed streets because they qualify as "motor assisted scooters" under Section 551.301, Transportation Code. However, under Section 551.301, a "motor assisted scooter" must have a "deck" on which the operator can stand and an engine not exceeding 40 cc. Mini motorcycles not only lack a deck for standing, but most models have an engine displacement exceeding the 40 cc limit.

Because mini motorcycles cannot currently be titled and registered, they cannot be legally operated on public streets and highways. Moreover, because mini motorcycles are "motor vehicles" they cannot be ridden on sidewalks.



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Message 1296594 - Posted: 18 Oct 2012, 16:53:41 UTC - in response to Message 1296587.  
Last modified: 18 Oct 2012, 16:54:48 UTC

I think Sirius is talking about e-bikes (electric bikes) and therefore the Texas rules are (as listed in Wiki)

Texas

"Bicycles" and "Electric Bicycles" are legally defined in the Texas Transportation Code Title 7, Chapter 551 entitled "Operation of Bicycles, Mopeds, and Play Vehicles" in Subchapter A, B, C, and D.[80] Under Chapter 541.201 (24), "Electric bicycle" means a bicycle that is (A) designed to be propelled by an electric motor, exclusively or in combination with the application of human power, (B) cannot attain a speed of more than 20 miles per hour without the application of human power, and (C) does not exceed a weight of 100 pounds. The department or a local authority may not prohibit the use of an electric bicycle on a highway[81] that is used primarily by motor vehicles. The department or a local authority may prohibit the use of an electric bicycle on a highway used primarily by pedestrians.


and for Country regulations, a different Wiki article says.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, electric bicycles are classed as standard bicycles providing the motor's maximum continuous rated power output does not exceed 250 W,[20] and cuts out once the bike reaches 15.5 mph (24.9 km/h). It must also be under 40 kg (88 lb). This means the rider does not require a license to use them, however riders must be of at least 14 years of age.

United States

Federal law in the United States states that an electric bicycle must have a top speed when powered solely by the motor under 20 mph (32 km/h) and a motor which produces less than 750 W (1.01 hp). They are not considered motor vehicles by the federal government and are subject to the same consumer safety laws as unassisted bicycles.[21] Their legality on public roads is under state jurisdiction, and varies. See the main Electric bicycle laws article for details on the law in individual states.

In addition to federal electric bicycle laws, the state of Illinois added that the operator be at least 16 years of age. A license and registration is not required.[22]

New York State law bans motor-assisted bicycles from state roads and city streets, though the ban is not currently enforced and a bill is under consideration to allow electric bikes with a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and less than 1,000 watts of power.
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Message 1296614 - Posted: 18 Oct 2012, 17:28:32 UTC - in response to Message 1296594.  

Correct WK. the people I've seen riding these are adults & should know better than to ride them on the pavements. What made the accident worse is where it happened.

It occured by the side of the City Cathedral which is practically in the town centre. It could have been a lot worse as many O.A.P's & morning shoppers were about.
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Message 1296653 - Posted: 18 Oct 2012, 19:12:56 UTC - in response to Message 1296614.  

On a side note. Arlington Texas has a wooded park called Legacy Park. It has approximately 8 miles of bike(walking) trails and about a mile of actual road.

I had ridden to the farthest point on the bike trail and encountered a man and his son(10 year old at best) on motorcycles.
The dad exclaimed to the son, "look at that another one on the trail", while looking at me under a sign that ironically said "NO MOTORCYCLES OR OTHER MOTORIZED VEHICLES ALLOWED ON THIS TRAIL"

You have to wonder why some moron would ride a knobby tired dirt bike on a cement trail and think that the trail was intended for motorcycles. Perhaps he thought the city was being considerate in preventing his motorcycle from getting dirty


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Message 1296694 - Posted: 18 Oct 2012, 21:10:08 UTC

as far as licensing goes no. But they should ticket the heck out of thoughtless people whether they are on electric scooter, bicycle, skateboard, car, truck, bus, moped, segway, wheelchair, or anything else with wheels.
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Message 1296764 - Posted: 19 Oct 2012, 0:52:14 UTC

I am sorry to hear of your mishap from this moron. It there a case to get onee of these ambulance chasing law firms (no win, no fee and you always get 100% of the compensation) to sue the motorised cyclist. Particularly as UK law clearly states it's an offence to cycle on the pavement?
It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues



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Message 1296767 - Posted: 19 Oct 2012, 1:00:41 UTC

Motorized bikes are pretty another version of a motorcycle (which in the US are licensed) so I say yes


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Message 1304316 - Posted: 10 Nov 2012, 6:14:44 UTC

Sorry to hear of your accident. Never much fun. I don't like making more things subject to licencing though. Too much profit and enforcement/incarceration motive.

Law abiding citizens, abide. so it's pointess to make more rules for them.
People only aware of themselves will likely not be detered from their point of view untill being made aware by every other concious person around them.

As travellers we do need to recognize the right of way is given to the slower traveller and to the one being over taken. IN return slower travellers agree to follow consistent operating methods on well traveled paths. Not walking multiple abreast or moving to single file (standard local side right/left) when alerted to approaching traffic from behind(here the standard is shouting 'trail'). Stepping aside to let faster traffic pass in narrow paths.

Honestly it is far easier for fast bicycle traffic to travel on the road with traffic, some bikers do need to be educated by other riders. Public Service Announcments (PSA's) wouldn't hurt either.

I ride on paths (pavement) when riding leisurely enjoying the scenery, I expect to give way to pedestrians often. When commuting I choose the road, I ride faster (out of both desire and courtesy to cars) and focus on riding in a straight consistant line telegraphing my expected actions and making eye contact with traffic.

BIkes could be licenced and riders tested to do these things but honestly I think people do these things more consistantly when they understand they are a good idea and actually benifit them as bikers.

The more bikes, electric and otherwise I see on the road the better I think we are doing as a society. Again sorry for your accident, but even with every rule imaginable, if something can go wrong, it will. Thats where we hope we've been good people and our friends will help us back up. And remove the offenders battery or short circuit it (lith ion batterys are spectular in this condition)
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Message 1304452 - Posted: 10 Nov 2012, 13:17:30 UTC - in response to Message 1304448.  

Licensing any form of motorized vehicle is institutionalized racism.


Now that is the most idiotic statement I've ever seen on this forum!

So you're quite agreeable to an untrained & unlicensed muppet driving an 18 wheeler?
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Message 1304530 - Posted: 10 Nov 2012, 16:28:32 UTC - in response to Message 1304524.  

Who are you calling "an untrained & unlicensed muppet?"


Are you serious?
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Message 1304945 - Posted: 11 Nov 2012, 15:21:22 UTC
Last modified: 11 Nov 2012, 15:23:35 UTC

Guy needs to spell out why this is institutionalised racism to charge a license on motorised vehicles and, and spell out his reasons and meaning for us plebs can understand where he is coming from!
It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues



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Message 1304959 - Posted: 11 Nov 2012, 16:13:06 UTC - in response to Message 1304958.  
Last modified: 11 Nov 2012, 17:05:41 UTC

& just what does that ode have to do with training & licencing?
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Message boards : Politics : Should Motorised Bicycles be licensed?


 
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