If you don't use the bike lane you can get a ticket

[JinbaIttai]

Just to give a heads up, the bike lane laws seem to vary from state to state greatly.

In some states, it seems to be illegal to use a bike lane/bike path.
In other states, if a bike lane is available, it is illegal NOT to use it.

The Hawaii state law on this is explained pretty well in this news article:
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/08/12/news/kokualine.html

I know it sounds as if Hawaii is probably not a good example considering how isolated it is and all, but the thing is that the Hawaii state law reads almost word for word the same as the California state law as posted in this thread:
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=4755

The wording is really obscure it looks backwards at first. But this means if you don't use the bike lane in California you can be ticketed. And if California and Hawaii use the same wording, probably several other states do too.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

There's some sense in that. If a bicycle lane is available, then cagers and peds wouldn't be too wrong for wanting the bikes there and not in the traffic lanes or sidewalks.

 

[Mountainman]

I think that it's a great law

to bad that we don't have more bike lanes here in Calif

this is where a speed issue may come in
should we travel fasted than 20mph in a bike lane
no -- because if in an accident with any others -- in time may be kicked out ?

as we ride that THING

 

[SirJakesus]

The bike lane is available to us in NH. Since they're considered mopeds or motor driven cycles (depending on power and gearing) the bike lanes are available to them legally. Just don't forget to register... not that I've ever had a problem otherwise.

Bike paths on the other hand are all posted "no motor vehicles" so I guess to be legal you'd have to pedal through them. Thats what the kill switch is for if you actually see somebody on an NH bike path.

 

[Large Filipino]

But that's where the loophole lies in these bicycles state to state. If a state states (cool) that you must be on a bike lane or you will be ticketed than that states in that state that you are riding an engine assist BICYCLE meaning they see you as a BICYCLIST.
SO. If you are a bicyclist,then you can ride the BIKE PATHS as well.
It's such an epic win.

 

[ZnsaneRyder]

I ride the bike paths with the engine. I've never had any issue. Only had one old lady tell me it's not allowed, which I laughed, and kept riding anyway.

If someone tried to stop me, Id make a run for it, I mean what are they going to do, chase you with a car down a bike trail, I think NOT!

 

[bluegoatwoods]

But are we talking about bike paths or bike lanes? I wouldn't want traffic to sy that I MUST ride on paths, where available. But I'm okay with the idea that I must use a path where available.

But on the other hand, there's practically zero bike lanes here. And very few paths.

 

[Mountainman]

no bike path riding win here (Calif)

If you are a bicyclist,then you can ride the BIKE PATHS as well.
It's such an epic win.

no bike path riding win here (Calif)

in Calif
no gas motorized anyTHING on a bicycle path
as as far as elect -- don't think so either
many of the bike paths are well protected
and a ticket would be fast coming

ride that thing

 

[mabman]

Znsane. While it is great to see your enthusiasm on here, the acts of defiance that you expel are less than helpful to the overall cause you know. That little old lady is somebodies mother and she has friends and they have nothing better to do than b***h about things and having you on their list will eventually catch up to you and perhaps other MBers in your town as well. It is not all about you buddy.

MAB's are pretty much in a grey area everywhere at this point and the spots where they are highlighted come about from raucous activity and some overzealous cops too. But get those two together and the soap box comes out with rules and regs to follow. Used responsibly MAB's can be a great mode of transport for many people in the near future and the more that do the better for all but the actions of a few can spoil it for many at this early stage of development.

I personally have found that while I used the Interurban type trails here almost exclusively on my pedal bike I don't feel the need as much with the Bumvee because I am so much more efficient on the surface streets. I am seeing parts of town that I have never been in before by taking new ways from here to there. The paths are the only safe haven from motorized traffic here and they should perhaps stay that way, if I use them now I only motor, and gently, if there is no one in sight and don't use the busier sections at all. But in some areas the paths are in place and totally underutilized I know.

 

[Mountainman]

#1 -- I ride the bike paths with the engine. I've never had any issue. Only had one old lady tell me it's not allowed, which I laughed, and kept riding anyway.

#2 -- If someone tried to stop me, Id make a run for it, I mean what are they going to do, chase you with a car down a bike trail, I think NOT!

I have to agree with Mabman here ZnsaneRyder

above noted
#1 -- even if we do act such as you did in this case
we should keep it to ourselfs
there may be other MB riders who look up to you on this site
we know you well enough -- that we think
this is not a message you wish to send
is this how we really wish to act and treat others ???

#2 -- may be different where you live
but -- here in Calif the pooolice have ALL RESOURCES NEEDED
to track one down anywhere -- bike paths included
and running from the pooolice here brings the following for MBer for sure
impound MB -- big ticket -- and can be an evading charge

let's try to be NICE TO OTHER'S as we ride those things