Legislation Listing

Lou you are the man. The info you have assembled here has made life a lot easier for me. YOU DID ALL THE WORK! Thanks
 
you might want to list this for vermont---wont help the ice guys but the electrics should smile

Laws regulating electric bicycles and ebike in the State of Vermont
Electric Bicycle and Ebike Regulations in the State of Vermont
LAW ENFORCEMENT BULLETIN #03-06 issued on April 8, 2003 emphatically states that "anyone riding a low speed electric bicycle would be afforded the same rights and responsibilities of any bicyclists."
 
do you know anything bout montana laws cuz the site that u got on your link wasnt very helpful and i really wasnt sure how to look.
 
do you know anything bout montana laws cuz the site that u got on your link wasnt very helpful and i really wasnt sure how to look.

The link at least pointed you toward the listing of Montana Code. The link pointed to the 2005 Code, which appears to be outdated.

Here's the 2009 Code...
http://law.justia.com/codes/montana/2009/

You should clearly be able to see the proper section with a little skimming -- Motor Vehicles...
http://law.justia.com/codes/montana/2009/61/61.html

First, you should ALWAYS check the definitions. ALWAYS!!
http://law.justia.com/codes/montana/2009/61/61_1/61_1.html

Keep going to the definitions of "Vehicles" (Take note of the "commercial" definitions. Are you engaging in commerce when you ride your bicycle? :geek:)...
http://law.justia.com/codes/montana/2009/61/61_1/61_1_1/61-1-101.html

BE SURE TO READ ALL THOSE DEFS! A lot are SIMILAR but NOT the SAME! For example...
(36) (a) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle that has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator and that is designated to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. A motorcycle may carry one or more attachments and a seat for the conveyance of a passenger.
(b) The term does not include a tractor, a bicycle as defined in 61-8-102, a motorized nonstandard vehicle, or a two- or three-wheeled all-terrain vehicle that is used exclusively on private property.
(37) (a) "Motor-driven cycle" means a motorcycle, including a motor scooter, with a motor that produces 5 horsepower or less.
(b) The term does not include a bicycle, as defined in 61-8-102, or a motorized nonstandard vehicle.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!! Statute 61-8-102...

http://law.justia.com/codes/montana/2009/61/61_8/61_8_1/61-8-102.html
(b) "Bicycle" means:
(i) a vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride and that has two tandem wheels and a seat height of more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is raised to its highest position, except scooters and similar devices; or
(ii) a vehicle equipped with two or three wheels, foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion, and an independent power source providing a maximum of 2 brake horsepower. If a combustion engine is used, the maximum piston or rotor displacement may not exceed 3.05 cubic inches, 50 centimeters, regardless of the number of chambers in the power source. The power source may not be capable of propelling the device, unassisted, at a speed exceeding 30 miles an hour, 48.28 kilometers an hour, on a level surface. The device must be equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only and does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.
 
Also, loquin...

You could add "63-7-51. General vehicle brake equipment requirements." to the Mississippi Laws, because of subsection (2)...

Sec. 63-7-51. General vehicle brake equipment requirements.

(1) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle, including two separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to apply the brakes to at least two wheels. If these two separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two wheels.

(2) Every motorcycle, and bicycle with motor attached, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with at least one brake, which may be operated by hand or foot.

I found that jewel at the law library, in the annotated code! An attorney general's opinion suggests that since this is the only section that a "bicycle with motor attached" is mentioned, then it is clearly distinct from motorcycle and retains its identity as a bicycle. If it was intended to be a motorcycle, then there'd be no need to say both motorcycles and bicycles with motors attached need at least one brake!!
 
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Good point about Mississippi's law, Sparky.

I DO have to go through the list again, and include some of the new legislation. As usual, the main issue is getting three or four more hours added to the day! Maybe I should contact our state legislators to look into that ... :unsure:

I've added an updates thread in the legislation forum, for folks to link to official sites with pertinent info on new laws, or things that I may have missed. That way, everyone can be involved in keeping the listings up to date.
 
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If you don't want Cop Trouble, wear a Helmet . Over the years, my headgear has run the Gamet from Shower Caps to a Karate Helmet. I currently wear a Baseball Batter's helmet tied to my neck with a piece of rope. From a distance, it looks legal enough . A Hard Hat Liner makes a convincing helmet, offers good aerodynamics, light weight, and doesn't muss up your hairstyle. I can't find a Steeplechase helmet big enough for my fat head.
 
If you don't want Cop Trouble, wear a Helmet . Over the years, my headgear has run the Gamet from Shower Caps to a Karate Helmet. I currently wear a Baseball Batter's helmet tied to my neck with a piece of rope. From a distance, it looks legal enough . A Hard Hat Liner makes a convincing helmet, offers good aerodynamics, light weight, and doesn't muss up your hairstyle. I can't find a Steeplechase helmet big enough for my fat head.
That's, umm... That's pretty fricking brilliant!!

I would be far more inclined to wear a batting helmet than anything else I've seen.

Thanks! :bowdown:

:helmet::helmet::helmet:
 
15,000 miles bike path riding including multiuse, never an accident or even near call. It comes down to common sense and safety. What should be done is post a maximum speed limit for two speeds on all bike paths, bike lanes are different. Max speed when pedestrians are present at about 8mph when not present cap it around 22 to 25. If pedestrians then should drop down. Otherwise never an issue. Most of the guys on the faster pedal bikes on bike paths and some ladies too average between about 18 to 25. Usually when they are in the mid twenties most go to bike lanes. Just post a maximum speed limit on bike paths and then open it up to all bikes. It won't matter if it is a pedal, ebike or gbike at this point because if they disobey the speed limit they get ticketed or have an accident the public will sue em. I think government is making this way more complicated then it needs be. Insurance is hard to say. You have two types of ebikes, slow ones and faster ones. Slow ones I consider the below 30mph, then there are ones that can hit the 45, thru 65 speeds and some faster than that. Hope this helps.
 
Loquin,

LOL, "Especially if you're carrying around a bag of natural fertilizer"... Technical Support here in NY (DMV) State Capitol, told me it was illegal to put a motor on a bike period! When I asked what section of Law I was in violation of??? They clammed right up!!!

I might just call and ask, If I had a bag of manure over my shoulder and it had a hole in the corner??? Would I be in violation of pooper scooper laws on my ten speed??? What if I had my hair in a poney tail??? LOL This is funny but not really. These people want to govern with laws written in the 1910's. In NY, I could make my own motorcycle from scratch, my own car from scratch, but not a simple moped. They said I'd have to be on a list of registered moped manufacturer's to gain NY registration!

I got the same reaction when I asked the same question. I said the same to my DMV clerk. "So I can build a motorcycle with a 1200 cc motor and apply for a vehicular registration? (Yes) But can't build a motorized bicycle and have it inspected? (Yes) Why? What law does it violate?" (Blank stair) "Here's the director of the DMV email, feel free to ask her." So I did, not holding my breath on a response.
 
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