Motorbikes in Florida were never legal. In fact the TL10 ruling before the last one made it very clear putting gasoline engines on bicycles was not allowed and no tags would be given as such. Furthermore there is much documentation here in the past where it is quite clear riders were ticketed and worse for having gas engines on bikes. There is no other side to argue. They always were Illegal and many riders learned the hard way in the hands of law enforcement. Now you can be legal. How this is a negative development escapes me.
Actually, you are incorrect..
I saw a document from the DMV (on DMV letterhead), prior to the RS-68 procedure, that stated that adding a gas motor on a bicycle, did not change the status of said bicycle.
In other words, before RS-68, they were bicycles, now they're mopeds.
Not saying anything, one way or the other, just stating the fact.
Here was the content of that letter...
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This email is in response to your inquiries to this agency regarding whether placing a gas motor on a bicycle changes the bicycle to something that requires registration and a driver license, e.g. a moped.
The simple answer is no. Our Legal staff has advised that adding a gas engine to a bicycle does not make it anything other than a bicycle. A driver license is not required. A registration is not required. You should check with your local authorities to determine where you are allowed to ride a gas powered bicycle.
If you are having an issue with law enforcement advising you in a different way, we suggest that you provide them a copy of this email and have them contact us directly. Otherwise, we consider this issue resolved.
Sincerely,
Julie W. Gentry, Chief
Bureau of Motorist Compliance
Division of Motorist Services
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399