Florida Motorcycle Laws and Definitions

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duivendyk

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When I wintered in Florida recently it struck me that there are no uniform laws concerning MB's and that I had no idea what gave there.So I decided to look into this and managed to dig up some sobering info which can be unearthed at http://myFlorida.com by interested parties.
The first thing one learns is that an MB is considered a bicycle if it has pedals (no licensing required),that sounds reassuring, but ONLY !! if it has ELECTRICAL assist and cannot go faster than 20mph. (probably for the ancients) So any MB's with an IC engine is not a bicycle legally,but a MOTORVEHICLE (very bad news.)
Motorvehicles comprises: mopeds,motorcycles and 4 wheeled vehicles.If it has less than 50 cc displacement,pedals,less than 2 HP and does not go faster than 30MPH, has less than 4 wheels and has no manual clutch,or gear shift,it is considered a moped (CVT is OK.)
If it is not considered a moped it becomes either a motorcycle or an automobile.With more than 50cc and not more than 3 wheels it is a legally a motorcycle.
These terms mean that the legal requirements pertaining to the license&registration and safety requirements need to be adhered to.Take for instance an MB with a 2 wheel pusher-trailer, it would legally be considered an automobile (4 wheels),if it was a one wheel pusher it would be motorcycle, if it had more than 50cc displacment and a moped if it had 50 cc or less. and met all previously mentioned requirements for mopeds.
The moral of this story,lie low and don't push your luck,stay under the radar,you have no legal leg to stand on,a good muffler and camouflage would help,because legally speaking,they have you by the b###s overthere.
 
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When I wintered in Florida recently it struck me that there are no uniform laws concerning MB's and that I had no idea what gave there.So I decided to look into this and managed to dig up some sobering info which can be unearthed at http://myFlorida.com by interested parties.
The first thing one learns is that an MB is considered a bicycle if it has pedals (no licensing required),that sounds reassuring, but ONLY !! if it has ELECTRICAL assist and cannot go faster than 20mph. (probably for the ancients) So any MB's with an IC engine is not a bicycle legally,but a MOTORVEHICLE (very bad news.)
Motorvehicles comprises: mopeds,motorcycles and 4 wheeled vehicles.If it has less than 50 cc displacement,pedals,less than 2 HP and does not go faster than 30MPH, has less than 4 wheels and has no manual clutch,or gear shift,it is considered a moped (CVT is OK.)
If it is not considered a moped it becomes either a motorcycle or an automobile.With more than 50cc and not more than 3 wheels it is a legally a motorcycle.
These terms mean that the legal requirements pertaining to the license&registration and safety requirements need to be adhered to.Take for instance an MB with a 2 wheel pusher-trailer, it would legally be considered an automobile (4 wheels),if it was a one wheel pusher it would be motorcycle, if it had more than 50cc displacment and a moped if it had 50 cc or less. and met all previously mentioned requirements for mopeds.
The moral of this story,lie low and don't push your luck,stay under the radar,you have no legal leg to stand on,a good muffler and camouflage would help,because legally speaking,they have you by the b###s overthere.

I live in Florida, and it's funny, even if you had a hydrogen/oxygen based fuel cell, they would consider it a Motor Vehicle (and depending on the other factors mentioned, speed, pedals, etc) You would need a DL or MDL.
I've seen people try to get away with using (i think they're called) friction drive gas motors to avoid the law, but I had to explain to them, it's still considered a MOTOR vehicle and if you don't have a license, you can get into trouble with it.

And not only do they have you by the cajones, but they BUST them all the time, at least in my area... I've had to go to court THREE times in 9 months, because a cops pull me over since THEY thought my ELECTRIC POWERED 250watt driven BICYCLE, was a motorcycle.

To add to his statement, if you're riding on the side walk with the bicycle, you HAVE TO PEDAL it ONLY...It's funny because I can go 20+mph on my bike by pedaling it, and it only goes 17mph MAX on POWER ALONE.
 
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A motor asisted bicycle is excluded from the term motor vehicle. I live in fl. and I have 2 bikes registered as mopeds.
 

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Sangesf, You need to educate the cops in your area. 11 motorbikers rode last month in our monthly ride from Vinoy park to the beaches, a 35 mile ride, see many cops and we never got pulled over.
 
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A motor asisted bicycle is excluded from the term motor vehicle. I live in fl. and I have 2 bikes registered as mopeds.

Actually it depends. A motor assisted bicycle OTHER than an ELECTRIC motor, IS considered a MOTOR Vehicle, and you NEED A FL Drivers License. If you don't believe me, I can prove it to you. If there is a gas motor of ANY kind moving the bicycle, it is AUTOMATICALLY considered at LEAST a MOPED When it's under 50cc OR can go more than 20 mph.
You basically contradicted yourself. It's either a bicycle OR a Moped depending on what TYPE of motor it is or what speed it's capable of.
 
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Sangesf, You need to educate the cops in your area. 11 motorbikers rode last month in our monthly ride from Vinoy park to the beaches, a 35 mile ride, see many cops and we never got pulled over.

Oh, trust me, NOW they are educated... Took me almost a year to get them to where they are now.
 
The Legislature defines a moped as a bicycle in s. 316.003, F.S., and changed the definition of 'bicycle', 'motorcycle', and 'motor-driven cycles' and excludes motor-propelled bicycles or 'mopeds from the definition of 'MOTOR VEHICLE,' 'motored-driver cycles, 'and 'vehicle by Ch. 76-286, Laws of Florida. So here it is black and white. I really did not have to register it at all but I did it to prove it can be done. I am not here to argue, or say right or wrong.
 
The question of whether a moped or a MB is considered a 'MOTOR VEHICLE',is wether they meet the definition criteria for such a vehicles (displacement,power,speed etc ).If they don't they are 'MOTOR VEHICLES'.For instance a 90cc moped or MB would be classified as such.So far what has been posted does not contradict my conclusions,it's pretty silly that you can pedal a bike at any speed yet an MB doing same would be illegal,like me trying to catch up with my grandson.It looks to me that getting a moped license (if posible) would be the lesser evil and keep the cops from giving you a hard time.Otherwise stealth and good road manners are best.If you start making a nuisance of yourself ,you'll probably get unwelcome attention
Electrified MB's would have distinct advantages,it's a bicycle period !,they would have to catch you in the act of speeding.
 
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The question of whether a moped or a MB is considered a 'MOTOR VEHICLE',is wether they meet the definition criteria for such a vehicles (displacement,power,speed etc ).If they don't they are 'MOTOR VEHICLES'.For instance a 90cc moped or MB would be classified as such.So far what has been posted does not contradict my conclusions,it's pretty silly that you can pedal a bike at any speed yet an MB doing same would be illegal,like me trying to catch up with my grandson.It looks to me that getting a moped license (if posible) would be the lesser evil and keep the cops from giving you a hard time.Otherwise stealth and good road manners are best.If you start making a nuisance of yourself ,you'll probably get unwelcome attention
Electrified MB's would have distinct advantages,it's a bicycle period !,they would have to catch you in the act of speeding.

I DO ride an electric bike. I just LOOKS like a motorcycle/moped. It's TOP speed is 18 mph. And ANY "bicycle" with ANY kind of GAS motor, no matter what top speed it is, (even 5 mph) or ANY displacement, it's considered a MOTOR vehicle. An ELECTRIC bike, is a VEHICLE (re: NOT considered a MOTOR vehicle) UNTIL you can go more than 20 mph OR have 2bhp or more, and THEN it becomes a MOTOR vehicle.
 
We are in agreement then.By starting this thread I was hoping to clarify matters under Florida Law as far as MB's are concerned.If there is anyone out there who does not agree with what I wrote initially,please contribute by posting a reasoned rebuttal preferably by reference to section 316.003 F.S. or any other relevant Florida Statutes,so that we can have clarity on this issue.
 
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