FL Law Update 04/20/2011 Gas Powered Bicycle Reg. N O T Required

Remember, everyone, you still must have a drivers license to ride one..

The DMV PDF deals with REGISTRATION ONLY.
 
I admit I am confused. Lets forget about drivers license. Which PDf is the latest by date I see no dates in either post here or the pdf on the other thread.
can someone compare these two. And not to get diverted just yet , I will say if you dont need a registration for a moped you dont need a drivers license. Whats going on here?
gene
 
sangesf said:
Remember, everyone, you still must have a drivers license to ride one..

The DMV PDF deals with REGISTRATION ONLY.
Click to expand...

I think you are mistaken again.

A drivers license is NOT required.
When registration was required, a license was required.

This is no longer the case.
 
Gene said:
I admit I am confused. Lets forget about drivers license. Which PDf is the latest by date I see no dates in either post here or the pdf on the other thread.
can someone compare these two. And not to get diverted just yet , I will say if you dont need a registration for a moped you dont need a drivers license. Whats going on here?
gene
Click to expand...

Gene,
At the bottom in the middle of the first page, it says "effective date"
(took me a while to find it too, but it's there)

OCCChopperFL,

In reference to DL...
"Registration Law" and "Driver's License Law" are mutually exclusive.
DMV says no registration...
FL Statutes describe a "moped"
DMV states that if you ride a "moped" you need at least a Class E driver's license
So, at this exact moment in time...
If you're riding a gas powered bicycle OR an electric bike capable of speeds greater than 20mph, and a cop pulls you over..
You can NOT be ticketed for "unregistered motor vehicle".
(Since DMV says you can't register it)
You CAN be ticketed for driving a "motor vehicle" without a valid license.
(Better known as DWLS - Driving While License Suspended or no driver's license).

DMV states you can't register a bicycle with a gas motor on it as a moped, that doesn't mean that the definition of a moped (in the Florida statutes) changes.

Let's say for an instant, you don't need a license..
What happens tomorrow or next week or next month, when that PDF changes (again).
Are you or anyone else going to check the DMV PDFs every day?
(Which reminds me, what website do I go to, to look for these "procedural documents?")

P.S. Let me ask you this..
Let's say I have an electric bicycle with a top speed capable of 25mph..
Well Florida statute says that an ebike is a bicycle only if it's only capable of 20mph tops.
So what am I riding then?
Am I riding a bicycle or a moped?
Well, I'm not riding a bicycle, because the statutes say, I'm only allowed 20mph top speed to remain as just a bicycle...
So, if I'm not a bicycle, am I a moped? How do we figure that out? Well, you have to look at the Florida statutes and see I'm classified as a moped. (Can I register it as one? - Who knows?)
So you're telling me, a gas powered bicycle with top speeds between 20-30 mph, doesn't require a license to ride, but my electric one does?
 
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Gene said:
I admit I am confused. Lets forget about drivers license. Which PDf is the latest by date I see no dates in either post here or the pdf on the other thread.
can someone compare these two. And not to get diverted just yet , I will say if you dont need a registration for a moped you dont need a drivers license. Whats going on here?
gene
Click to expand...

Hi,

Heres my 2 cents:

a. please see pg 1 of dmv doc bottom of page for 4/20/2011 date, as well as reference of relevant doc update, exhibit F, question #3.

http://www3.flhsmv.gov/DMV/Proc/TL/TL-10.PDF

b. here is a copy paste that I did on the "old" 03/15/2011 date -
(same exhibit F, question #3) for your review:

"3. Scenario: A company is advertising on TV a gas engine kit that can be added
to a bicycle. The engine is tied into the pedal system like a Moped
and it has to be pedaled to start the engine. It is advertised that the
bicycle will be propelled to 30MPH.
Q. How is the tax collector supposed to register this bicycle/gas engine
assembly?
A. The definition of bicycle under s. 316.003(2), F.S., includes
motorized bicycles propelled by a combination of human power
and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at
a speed of not more than 20 mph on level ground. Bicycles and
motorized bicycles, as defined above, are not registered or titled.
Engine kits for bicycles are not new and there are a variety of kits
available. If a gas engine kit is installed on a bicycle, which is
not rated in excess of 2 brake horsepower and not capable of
propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 mph on level
ground, the vehicle would fall within the classification of a
moped and be required to be registered as a moped. If the gas
motor or top speed exceeds that for a moped, then the vehicle
should be classified as a motorcycle. There are other
requirements that must be met to be classified as a motorcycle such
as frame assembly and safety features. The operator of a gas
powered bicycle (moped) is required to follow the rules of the
road and safety equipment requirements of sections 316.208,
316.2085 and 316.211, Florida Statutes. The agent should also
direct the customer to law enforcement if there are any questions as
to where the motorized bicycle can be used."

c. I agree with you, no registration, no license is required.

Lets ride!

:)
 
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Thanks for all the info. I have to say I am glad I have a tag. But this entire thing is really nuts. How can pdfs change so rapidly? What is the point of all of this. I wish we could get an authority to speak on the subject

Lets stay with this as frustrating as it can be.

So just to make it simple at this time
a gas powered under 50 cc motorized bicycle does not need a tag.

and it is not considered a motor vehicle Correct?

But somehow you need a drivers license to ride a bicycle with a motor.

I am not trying to be funny but if what I just said is true How can that be? LOL
 
whoa thats pretty cool, I hope Cali does this aswell. Well as for my ride today at a lowrider show goin on at a local park, The police were all over and even checked my bike out. I was rideing in the opposite direction of the squad car:helmet: I then passed them after a about 15 feet i then turned my head (no mirrors oops..(soon!) and they were now behind me i watched them pass me and that was it!:cry: maybe they had bigger fish to fry is what I told my bro as we split the scene.
 
Here's another question...
Florida statutes say, in order to ride an electric bike, you have to be 16.
Well, no such law is written for a "gas powered" bicycle... So does that mean, an 8 year old can ride a gas powered bicycle, doing 40mph in the road, while a 15 year old can't ride an electric bike doing 10mph in that same road?

That makes no sense....
 
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