Tuesday, July 31, 2012

DEAR SGT. AL: DO I NEED A LICENSE FOR AN E-BIKE?

This is a foldable electric bicycle.

DEAR SERGEANT AL:  I see a few weeks ago you addressed the issues of buying an all-electric plug-in car. I’m thinking about getting an electric plug-in bike. Will I need to get a license? I would figure that since it doesn’t have an internal combustion engine, it has pedals, and it is basically a bicycle that you don’t need a motor. Any advice? —PART EXERCISING DIMENTIALLY ALLEVIATES LAX PUMPING INTO MORE PEDALING.
DEAR PEDAL PIMP: Ah, ah, ah, be very careful. Like I was describing in my post last week about ticket insurance, the e-bike market is another industry and demographic that is still in its infancy if not still in gestation. This is the rare exception of that case where just because it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, shifts like a duck, rides like a duck, and pedals like a duck, you can convince yourself that in fact you have a duck, when actually after the first time the police pull you over on your new bike you then realize you don’t have a duck with tickets for unlicensed riding in your hand, if not having the bike confiscated and vouchered. This was the same thinking that got lots of people into trouble some 35 years ago during the energy crisis of the 70’s when people went out like crazy and started buying mopeds made in China, Taiwan, Korea, etc. and started riding them all over the place in this country without licenses past the long lines at the gas pumps. Many had their moped riding careers cut short abruptly either by ticket, injury, or death! Just because you can switch the motor off and start pedaling doesn’t mean you can fool the police that it can pass for a bike and not require you to have a license. We’re not brain surgeons, but we’re certainly not stupid either!

Remember this rule of thumb on whether you need a license to operate or you need to register a self-propelled vehicle: If the vehicle propels itself in some way, whether by land, sea, or air, using any kind of oil, any kind of gas, any other kind of liquid or substance (water too, i.e. hydrogen power, or think “Doc” Brown and his DeLorean), electricity, wind (yes wind like a fixed or rotating wing aircraft), or solar power to propel it, most likely you need to document with the government either the vehicle itself, or at least your ability to operate it based on proof submitted to a government agent (road/written test or marine or aircraft operator’s license). Police all across the country are getting wise to the electric bike phenomena, and they may not crack down on it in significant proportions yet like the 70’s moped craze because:

1.    There aren’t that many e-bikes yet for the police to have the resolve to crack down. E-bikes are more difficult to spot on the road than mopeds were years ago. People haven’t been hurt or killed in substantive proportions yet for the will of the people to make them start cracking down on illegal electric bikes in any significant way. But this will change very soon as e-bikes proliferate.
2.   The laws haven’t yet adjusted to include e-bikes. There are only 15 states so far that define and regulate e-bikes. Many local jurisdictions have stepped in to either ban or approve e-bikes. States like New York outright ban them, though they have pending legislation to define and regulate them.
3.   E-bikes beg for their own classification. They can go faster than a regular bicycle, a bit slower than a car or a motorcycle on local roads, and about as fast as a moped or scooter, but they aren’t powered by internal combustion, so where should we put them? This is the dilemma that state legislatures across the country are facing. The problem with e-bikes is that because they are self-propelled and vary in their speed that they are being introduced into an environment where they can be dangerous to cars, pedestrians and other bikes. Because they can have a varying range in speed that falls into the realm of both motor vehicles and bikes, they can cause more property damage and injuries (and death) under many more circumstances than a regular bike. The following video might be funny to watch, especially if you're a guy, but it underscores how dangerous electric bikes can be:
SO my advice is to stay within the law as electric bikes proliferate like missiles. When the police are ready to stop you, you can pedal or electric right on by on Electric Avenue licensed and legal. Here are four issues you need to address before you go out and buy an electric bicycle:
1.    What kind of vehicle do I have? Know what kind of classification your e-bike falls into under the law so that you know what kind of documentation (license and/or registration) you may need. Check with your state to find out which kind is which. Thirty-five states as of this writing do not have any definition of what an e-bike is. In some states a moped and a self propelled bike can be the same thing and have:
           Fully functional pedals for human propulsion.
   An internal combustion engine producing less than two gross brake horsepower with automatic transmission.
           An electric motor with or without pedals.

Some states like California make your bike OK to ride without a license depending on how powerful or fast it can go. Some states like New York are super-strict in that if it has any kind of motor you need a license to drive/ride it, period, and e-bikes are BANNED. Here’s California’s interpretation according to their handbook:

        The second type of moped has an electric motor of less than 1,000 watts and cannot go above 20 mph on level ground (even if assisted by human power). The motor must also stop when the brakes are applied or starter switch released.
        This "20 mph" classification of a moped may be driven without a license, proof of financial responsibility, or a moped license plate. The driver need only be 16 years old and wearing a properly fitting bicycle helmet.
        You can't ride your moped on freeways or any type of bike path or trail, unless local law has given permission. You can drive your moped in lanes designated for bicycles, but be considerate of other bikers.
So here your electric bike is good to ride in the Golden State, but watch out anywhere else. Also remember this, in some cases, like in some cities, you need to check with their ordinances to see if they allow electric bicycles on their roads and paths without registering with them. Just because a state may allow you to ride an electric bike, doesn’t necessarily mean that a town, county, or city may make it OK.

2.   What age do I have to be? The 15 states that have laws about this are all over the place, ranging from ages 10-18. The rule of thumb is that if you are old enough to get behind the wheel of a car, then you’re good to go on a 2 or 3-wheeled self propelled vehicle as well. Usually you must be 16 and older to drive a self propelled two or three wheeled vehicle like an electric bike. CHECK WITH YOUR STATE.

3.   Do I have to wear a helmet? Most likely yes. The age ranges vary as they do for who can operate a self propelled 2 or 3-wheeled vehicle. But if you don’t have to wear a helmet for a motorcycle in your state there’s a chance you won’t have to for a bicycle (but this is a BAD idea, wear one anyway). CHECK WITH YOUR STATE.

4.   What happens when I run out of power? Very much like the issues that face drivers with electric cars, once you’ve used all of your range, you’re screwed. Like I told readers in my electric car post, the battery issues with cars are problematic, expect the same if not worse for bicycles as well. The technology still needs tweaking, and because the batteries in bikes are smaller than they are in cars, the ranges can be much worse if not as reliable. Remember that with an electric car, a driver can call AAA and have the car quick-charged or towed to a recharging station. If you run out of power with your bicycle however, it reverts to a regular bike and thus, you’re governed by all the rules no differently than an ordinary bicycle. That might mean you might not be able to bike in places or distances that allow you to do so in electric mode. Remember that some of these e-bikes can get up to speeds of up to 30-35 mph, so they can cover more distances than a regular bike. That’s great to get to your destination, but a potential for disaster for the return trip if you’re out of range or juice. You can plug in your laptop or cellphone at Starbucks, I don’t know if that’ll wash with your bike. So if I were you PEDAL PIMP, I’d watch where you go with your range more so than with an electric car, and make sure that if necessary you can pedal your way back, otherwise if the hills are too steep or the distance too far, you might have to call for a ride or bus it or cab it home!
PEDAL PIMP as it stands now, there is no rhyme to any reason when it comes to purchasing and riding an electric bicycle. Everybody from the manufacturers to government to consumers is all over the place when it comes to making, selling, buying, and riding e-bikes. Every state has its own rules, or no rules that can be interpreted as skies the limit or a complete ban, so my best suggestion is to look up your state’s website or call your local DMV office for the right information. I’m letting you go with a WARNING: it may be the green thing to do to ride an electric bike, but any self-propelled vehicle can be DANGEROUS to you and others around you, no matter how fast or slow it goes, this is why most jurisdictions regulate such things to insure that they are operated safely, once they get their act together if they ever do. Good luck with your electric bike shopping, and drive and ride safely!


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What is a CARMAGEDDON and when will it happen? 
Am I allowed to walk on a highway?
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The definition of a “Concours” car and event
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What is the new national terror alert warning?
Taking photographs at off-limits tourist landmarks .



1 comment:

  1. While it isn't a bicycle, an electric wheelchair fits the exact definition of a motor vehicle, which means you'd have to have a license (and the chair would have to have tags) to use it, and it would be illegal to drive it on the sidewalk! It's funny because someone once asked me (in jest) about what license I had. In fact, because of that, state law here in Maryland specifically declares a power wheelchair is not a motor vehicle.

    ReplyDelete

Sgt. Al here. I welcome your comments, ideas, and suggestions. You have questions about the police, and I'm interested in hearing what you have to say as a citizen. Thanks!

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