Happy Valley
Active Member
Man, i dont know if reading these forums has made me paranoid or what but all the horror stories about accidents and wrecks related to parts failure has left me wondering if the benefits of riding a motorized bike are worth the risks of serious injury or death due to something as simple as a fender or an engine seizing up.
I guess you cant "not" do everything in life because you are afraid, but, am I the only one who gets this feeling that these (albeit awesome) machines are really deathtraps in disquise?
This topic comes up from time to time though mostly ignored. It's not very popular, and who cares, but I agree with much of the common sense aspects of what you write. Originally the idea was MAB, motor assisted bicycle, a small engine or motor added as a helper to pedaling a bike. Where they're legal, the majority of states have regs that define a motorized bike or moped as under 50cc, under 2HP or 750 watts with operating speed under 30MPH on public streets.
Lighting, visibility, a helmet, no sandals, etc.....well, ya know.
Adhering to those parameters, again with common sense in selecting a bicycle with decent brakes, wheels, frame etc, a suitable engine/motor and components and reliable way of mounting them on the bike, makes the whole thing a very reasonable proposition as a means of cost effective alt. trans.
Unfortunately that's not always the case, sometimes 'mission creep' sets in and it becomes just a low cost entry into two-wheeled motor sport or cheap substitute for getting a motorcycle. So, I expect there will be mishaps and accidents, increased scrutiny by law enforcement and further legislative restrictions.....and that scares me.
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