Mantioba Electric Vehicle Association [MEVA]

[edutainer]

As we may have common interests in lobbying the Manitoba Government regarding rules & regulations for 'Power-Asssited Bicycles' on Manitoba streets, you may be interested in discussing powered bicycling, as about half our MEVA Members are 2 wheel enthusiasts, including mostly bicycle & scooter style Power-Assisted Bicycles.
You gas powered are currently restricted to off-road use when using any size engine, if you'd like to discuss this restriction with MEVA or MEVA 2 wheel Members, we have a Facebook page [webpage under construction] for Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association [MEVA]http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/MEVAWpg1

We are a not-for-profit group of "Enthusiats of good charater who believe electric transportation of all kinds is better for Manitobans"
Enjoy your powered bicycle fun.
@ your service,
Dave Connell
Charter Chairman MEVA

 

[bluegoatwoods]

I wish you luck. A lobbying group is a good idea.

 

[edutainer]

"We don't need no stinkin' licence"

1. Thank you. Yes a lobbying group may help to keep the no-licence, no insurance, no plates and no drivers licence current rules in Manitoba Canada. You never know what Manitoba Public Insurance Commission may recommend to the Manitoba Infrastructure & Transportation Minister however.
2. Whomever suggested ... "we don't need no stinkin' license" is right. Electric motor powered bicycles currently "don't need no stinkin' licence" if they meet all the HTA discription of a 'Power-Assisted Bicycle'. However at least one supplier in Winnipeg Manitoba, of Gas powered bike motor kits is misleading potential customers by tell them, over the phone at least, that gas powered bikes are "Power-Assisted Bicycles" when, in fact, only electric motor powered bikes, capable of less than 33kph and 500Watts at the shaft/axle are specified, with some other requirements, for legally riding on a Manitoba Street.
   [*] Please see http://www.facebook.com/notes/manit...red-bicycle-kits-as-power-***/212704088755810
   
3. Perhaps there is justification for gas powered bikes to also be included, instead of restricting

them to off-road travel. What are they please?

 

[bluegoatwoods]

"we don't need no stinkin' license" was meant only as a play on that line from, I think, "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" when the bandito says, "Badges?! We don't need no stinking badges!!".

It might not be really all that useful for us as a rallying cry. Just my opinion.
But I'm glad it got your attention. I think of it as a mildly good joke.

And I wouldn't criticize the bicycle guy who describes these as "motor assisted bicycles".
It is within the limits of truthfulness and it is not a legal opinion from a judge or lawyer. The listener, alone, is responsible for keeping the two separate.

As far as arguments for gas powered being given the same legal status as electrics, I'm only prepared at the moment to speak in generalities. In a world that had better do something about resource depletion and pollution, small engined personal conveyances seem like a very good idea. The only argument I can think of against would be the issue of safety with mixing motor assisted bicycles and autos on our roads. And if it is unsafe, then I think that the answer is to literally force the autos to start slowing down and behaving themselves. This will only remain difficult as long as they have the roads to themselves.

One small disclaimer; I prefer electrics. But I definitely would not ban gasoline powered bikes.

 

[edutainer]

Please forgive me for not recongnizing the quote from the movie. It is funny, if I get the accent right when I repeat it.
If the guy had discribed them as "motor assisted bicycles", I would not critisize. However he actually described them as "Power Assisted Bicycles' which is the legal term for electric [only] powered bicycles here in Manitoba. Our electric PAB's get to go anywhere regualr bikes can go, unless specifically prohibited, including reserved bus & bicycle lanes on our major streets. Gas powered bicycles are not legal on any Mantioba street currently, unless they can quailfy as a moped or motorcyle and are registered, licenced and driven by a person 16 or over, with a drivers licence. My complaint was not whether gas powered bikes should be accepted legally on the street, but that when they are not, he should not mislead his customers by telling them a lie. The ezcycle representative on the phone obviously knew he was lieing, based on his reaction when I told him I had the HTA in front of me and it specifically states a "Power Assisted Bicycle must have an electric motor, and no other kind". I'll see if I can suggest your termnology to him, so at least his wording would not be so blatently misleading and false, here in Manitoba. 'Motor Assisted Bicycles' sounds like a good discription to me. Thanks for your thoughts.
Dave Connell, Charter Chairman Mantioba Electric Vehicle Association.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

I can think of one argument against gasoline powered bicycles (though it's not very convincing to me). That would be air pollution.

But I figure that if, here in the western world, these bicycles ever become really common it will only be because fuel has grown much more expensive, leading to fewer automobiles.
So more pollution from one source is balanced by less from the other. And I suppose that if fuel ever becomes that expensive, then total air pollution will shrink anyway.

I'll keep trying to think of pros and cons. Just for the fun of it.

See you around...

 

[edutainer]

Thanks for these ideas. Your theory about balancing polution weights due to less overall engine use, seems sound. I know that gasoline lawn mowers are currently more polluting than cars these days, however if 'engine powered bicycles' rise in popularity, the designed efficiency by manudacrurers may also improve. Keep those ideas coming so I can pass them on ro ezcycle.net here in Winnipeg.

 

[ibdennyak]

Excellent thread with logic based opinions here. This is what we need to make a viable argument for our cause. Keep it going, I'm enjoying this.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

Really, our roads should be opened up to almost anything that can be used as a vehicle.
Four-seat Rhodes cars, golf carts, four wheelers (speed limits strictly enforced) with trailers.

If registration is necessary, then that's just fine with me. But no vehicle should be told "no". The reason that it's so now is because it's inconvenient for cars to make room for these other vehicles. Though they word it in terms of "safety". And they were probably sincere, but it's mis-guided.

The cars should be forced to live with us. They can keep the interstates to themselves. It'll allow for quicker city-to-city travel. But the secondary roads should be open to any vehicle.

My commute to work is about 6 miles. I make it in fifteen minutes. (by car) If I had to budget 30 minutes for the trip in return for a society full of bicycles, golf carts, etc., riding around in safety, then I'd call that a bargain.

 

[edutainer]

Thank you for sharing.