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I am going to try my first trip to work pedaling tomorrow. I really wish I could add a motor and be street legal, but being in Huntsville - I'm not sure I want to risk adding an engine without ensuring I am legal. I have a good job and a family to take care of (and I am insured in case I am killed by a bad driver). I can not afford to risk my job by tarnishing my record for bucking the system, just because I did not agree with it.
I am going to give pedaling a shot before I start spending any real money towards this hobby. If I could legally stick an engine on it and have it retain it's bicycle status, I would already have it on order. I may visit the local police precinct and talk to someone there and ask them what they permit or what I would have to do to be legal and enjoy this hobby. If I can get something in writing from them that would cover me for the small trip I would be making from home to work and back (legally it's a defined bicycle route - but try telling those driving environmentally tagged Hummers & individual SUV driver's that), I may pursue getting an engine. If they tell me they actively enforce the letter of the law, and I would be fined for adding an assist engine without doing "yadda yadda yadda" then I may either suck it up and pedal when days permit, or jump through the hoops they require. I want this more for health, than for "saving the planet" and my pocketbook.
Pros: Encourages Exercise, Saves Wear & Tear on Car, Saves a few bucks each week on gas (at $4/gallon, and 14 miles round trip, 5 days per week, it would take me a little over a year to make the $$ back from the gas savings for the engine cost - 59wks - so it would be ridiculous to suggest a BIG money savings was a factor).
Cons: Jumping through Alabama's backwards legal stance if a cop wanted to press the issue, I know of two decapitations from the last 8 years near my house (one a drunk walking to get beer, the other I think was a cyclist).
I had a friend put in prison in Massachusetts for 18 months. He had a pistol in his glove compartment that he "legally purchased", "legally registered", and had a "legal permit to carry it in Alabama." His crime was not knowing the laws in Massachusetts, not knowing it was a felony there, and not knowing MA did not respect the rights AL had granted him (or his constitutional rights). When he was pulled over, he told the cop he had it in his glove compartment. Had he known the laws, I doubt he would have carried it with him on his trip in the state.
One of my co-workers often rides his bicycle to work and gave me a lot of pointers (he rides 28miles round trip - no assist engine).
1) Get up early, leave the house 2hrs prior to 8AM
2) Have Clothes at Work to change into (on days you do drive, & we have a shower down by the weight room)
3) Keep a lunch in the fridge (on days you do drive)
3) Leave Early in the Evening - (Worst thing about riding a bike is other drivers at this time)
4) A strobing front and rear light will get you more respect from traffic (as well as a strobing light on your helmet, the point is to be noticed and seen, and a light on your head helps ensure others know your intention of moving one way or the other)