After solving the lighting problem and applying for a patent, I have come into a big legal problem. I wanted to apply for a moped license in Illinois and was told by Illinois Secretary of State that it is illegal in Illinois to install a motor on a bicycle frame.
The IL motor vehicle code does not say that motorized bicycles are prohibited.
As long as the engine falls under the moped engine size/speed imitations, no registration or insurance is required, as those are for motor vehicles only and can't be applied to bicycles under the current IL MVC. And anything with a moped-size engine wouldn't need a license endorsement anyway.
Under Chapter 1 "Title and Definitions"-
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilc...SeqEnd=29300000&ActName=Illinois+Vehicle+Code.
the technical definition of a bicycle does not prohibit use of a motor:
"... (625 ILCS 5/1‑106) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1‑106)
Sec. 1‑106. Bicycle. Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels except scooters and similar devices.
(Source: P.A. 85‑951.) ..."
Note that no mention of motorized bicycles being prohibited is mentioned, only that it
must be able to be propelled by human power.
And the "scooters" this section refers to are children's unmotorized kick scooters, because any motorized street-legal scooter (like a Vespa) would have a VIN#, and codes elsewhere cover them.
Under Chapter 11 Article 15, "Bicycles", there is no mention that motorized bicycles are prohibited or allowed:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilc...eqEnd=120700000&ActName=Illinois+Vehicle+Code.
That might change in the future, but that's the way it is now.
I emailed the state DMV website, and
this was their explanation.
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They are in the process of making a decision on this, but to date, a motorized bicycle is illegal on the streets even if it has all the lighting/horn, etc. required by Illinois law for a motorcycle.
Who exactly told you this?
I have to decide what to do. We were getting ready to make a video, and wanted to shoot with plates on the bike. What a bummer. The bike has turn signals, stop light, front halogen light and a horn, and is still illegal. Mike S
I have noted elsewhere:
a bicycle cannot be registered as a moped in IL at all, because there's no way to get a title for a bicycle, because a bicycle doesn't have a VIN# (just using any serial number for an IL title won't do; the IL registration system only accepts federal-format VIN#s).
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