all gas motorized bikes illegal in iowa?

[Iowan]

How to Register a Motorized Bicycle / Bike in Iowa ( moped / custom moped )



This post shows up in the search engines for Iowans trying to learn how to register their custom-built motored bikes. Rivercity Motor Bikes is in Ankeny (Northern Suburb of Des Moines) and says they've been through this several times. No registration is necessary. You just ride it like a regular bicycle and that's it.

-- Hal

Speaking as a life long Iowan, this is a bit outdated culturally and legally. People do lock their doors here and registration is also necessary for motorcycles or motorized bicycles (mopeds) but not a bicycle with a 750 watt motor or less that cannot exceed 20 mph on the flat when solely powered by the electric motor.

Gasoline powered bicycles are always either motorized bicycles (mopeds) or motorcycles. They are never merely bicycles. They must have a MCO that certifies the vehicle complies with akl federal safety standards and they must be registered or all 99 treasurers in Iowa are authorized and obligated to refuse registration.

The law changed in 2006 to eliminate the distinction between over/under 49 cc. Game over.

 

[Guest-7780]

Speaking as a life long Iowan, this is a bit outdated culturally and legally. People do lock their doors here and registration is also necessary for motorcycles or motorized bicycles (mopeds) but not a bicycle with a 750 watt motor or less that cannot exceed 20 mph on the flat when solely powered by the electric motor.

Gasoline powered bicycles are always either motorized bicycles (mopeds) or motorcycles. They are never merely bicycles. They must have a MCO that certifies the vehicle complies with akl federal safety standards and they must be registered or all 99 treasurers in Iowa are authorized and obligated to refuse registration.

The law changed in 2006 to eliminate the distinction between over/under 49 cc. Game over.