New rules for e-bikes in Pennsylvania.

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Aug 20, 2009
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Erie, PA.
Until just a few days ago, the rules for "assisted pedalcycles"(power assisted bicycles) in Pennsylvania were the same for gas and electric powered bikes. Now some meddling boneheads have gotten new rules for electric bikes, while the rules for gas engined bikes remain unchanged. Gas continues with 50CC or less, under 1.5 horsepower, automatic transmissions only, driver's license required, and speed on a level surface with no wind of 25MPH or less. No registration or insurance required. The new rules for e-bikes has a max speed of only 20MPH. Just proves that some idiot has convinced the state assembly that new regulations were needed for e-bikes, when the old existing rules covered gas and electric bikes just fine. D**n meddling fools, when will you learn to leave well enough alone?!?
 
I'm sorry to hear it. But I'll bet they're not actually 'meddling fools' as much as they are folks who know just what they're doing. Which is to help keep electric bikes from seeming like a good alternative to the auto in the minds of people. Keeping 'em kinda lame.

I'm not sure just what makes me optimistic, but I just have a feeling that a sizeable number of people are on the verge of preferring transport that is smaller, simpler and less expensive than a car.

And when 'big auto' starts seeing sales slipping, then they'll start twisting gov'ts arm. Then we'll see even more regulation, and even legislation, aiming to choke small alternatives to death.

This has been going on for a long time, of course. But it feels as though a new chapter in the battle is coming.

And these new regs in PA might be the beginning.
 
I don't know where you're getting your info, but under 50cc is still considered a moped in pa, and requires registration and insurance. I live in lebanon and ride a 98cc unregistered and uninsured. But the cops don't bother me. Any gas powered vehicle driven on a roadway in pennsylvania requires registration and insurance, regardless of displacement or top speed.
 
You are mistaken, butterbean, though it is a widely believed error. A moped in Pennsylvania requires a VIN number and a "certificate of safety" from the manufacturer, but is the only registered motor vehicle in Pennsylvania that does not require an annual safety inspection. In fact, there are NO safety inspections guidelines or requirements for inspecting mopeds. It is possible to get a moped registration and license for a motored bicycle by getting the state to issue a VIN number for it, getting a state safety inspection from a "special" inspection station(the same ones permitted to issue a safety inspection sticker for hot rods and home built autos), etc. It is difficult and takes months and it is completely unnecessary, as we are already covered under the law.

There is a section in the Pennsylvania motor vehicle code that covers "assisted pedalcycles". We are permitted to ride any roadways/bikeways any bicycle may ride. The law is specific; 50cc or less, 1.5 horse power or less, automatic transmission/motor engagement, max speed on the flat with no wind of 25MPH or less, a driver's license is required for the operator, and no registration or insurance is required. In all respects a legal "assisted pedalcycle" is considered to be a bicycle except for requiring a driver's license and being banned from all state parks. We must obey ALL laws, regulations, and rules for bicycles, including not riding on sidewalks unless designated as bikeways, stopping for red lights, stop signs, etc. The rule banning all unregistered motored vehicles from state parks is a rule from the Department of Environmental Resources, the department that runs state parks. They banned all unregistered motor vehicles because there has been trouble with people running unlicensed scooters, microbikes, etc, so they just banned all unregistered motor vehicles. The cops are not bothering you because there have been many court cases and cops in most areas know about the law. Should they pull you over and discover your engine does not meet the under 50cc rule, you can be arrested for operating an illegal motor vehicle and your bike can be confiscated.

My whole point is that we really didn't need new regulations covering e-bikes, because we were already permitted, the same as gas powered bikes. I do ride in a local state park on my e-bike with the knowledge of the rangers, as long as I ride on the right side/verge of the road where bicyclists customarily ride. They won't allow me on the bike, hike, run. and skate path(multiuse trail). They threw me off the park with my gas powered motored bike.
 
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To register a motorized bicycle as a moped, you must pass an enhanced vehicle inspection and apply for a title. Most people use the bike's serial number as the vin. I know several people that have registered their bikes as mopeds in PA, using this process. Once registered, it requires a driver's license and insurance. No annual inspection. The enhanced vehicle inspection is for home-built vehicles to prove they meet the DOT requirements to operate on roadways.
 
You have your view of the law, I have mine. What I've read on the dmv site tells me that any vehicle under 50cc with two wheels being driven on the roadway is legally considered a moped. You don't believe that's what the law says, but I do. Rather than get into a pointless debate, i'll agree to disagree.
 
"Pennsylvania law currently classifies electric-assist bicycles as motorized pedalcycles or mopeds and therefore requires them to be licensed, titled and insured.* However, E-Bikes do not have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and therefore cannot be registered in the Commonwealth.* I have heard from constituents who have been stopped by law enforcement and even cited because their E-Bikes are not registered.* It is clear to me that some clarification is needed."............

http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdoc...blic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20130&cosponId=11743
 
Yeah, the whole argument of not having a vin is ridiculous. When you pass the enhanced vehicle inspection, you send the form in with a title request. The title request form has a spot for a vin number, that you have to fill out. What do you put there? Perhaps the number that's ALREADY ON THE BIKE? The SERIAL NUMBER, maybe?
 
I gotta agree with butterbean on this one 100%. He knows his PA laws on this matter. I looked into this extensively last year, and he is spot on.

There was a time, not too long ago, where a motorized bicycle or scooter under 50cc fell into the same classification as a bicycle. It's different today.
 
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