Motorized bikes in legal limbo despite popularity.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
According to Tampa police, riding a motorized bike on a public road or even a bike lane could land the driver in jail. Police said it's a safety issue. "If it's got an engine, they're not supposed to be driving it on the public roadway," Officer Kristina Duran said.
Because of the gas motor, the two-wheeled bikes are considered motor vehicles. Yet, riders can't get a license plate or register motorized bikes.
"They're not able to register these as a motored vehicle without a tag so now you're operating an unregistered motorized vehicle," Duran said.
Since the motorized bikes are considered motor vehicles, riders can't hop in a bike lane either. Instead Tampa police say, motorized bike riders must stay on private property.
