Here's my take.
Not wanting to get hassled or worse after spending a fair amount of money and beau coup time in my garage building a moped from a kit, I got on the web and read the WA regs. They are pretty clear: a gas-powered vehicle with less than 50cc that has an operable bicycle drive train and goes no more than 30 mph is a moped. I don't need a motorcycle endorsement on my driver's license but the bike needs all of the lighting etc. of a motorcycle, and it needs a vehicle license. At first I thought "what a pain" and then I thought "when I ride my self-powered bike in the streets of Seattle, I try to be as visible as possible. If I'm riding a bike that goes twice as fast and is twice as heavy, why scrimp on lights and a horn?" And why go to this trouble to get a stupid little license plate? Because if I'm caught riding an unlicensed motor vehicle, not only do I get to make a mandatory court appearance, but I get my nice little ride impounded. Talk about a freaking waste of time and money... Another thing - all licensed vehicles need to be insured in the state of WA if they are out on the streets. Insurance is only about $90/year, but every time you get pulled over in this state the second thing the cop asks for (after your driver's license) is proof of insurance. If you no got, it's (you guessed it!) a mandatory court appearance. Again, what a waste of time...
Now this is just my position, and I know there are plenty of folks who disagree with me, and who live for the chance to wage guerilla war against The Man. But I think getting whacked will be a dang pain in the butt. When I was 20, I had more time than money, and spending a couple of days of my life farting around with the court system wasn't a big deal, but the ticket and the impound charges would have stung. Now that I'm 47, I have more money than time, and could easily absorb the ticket and impound costs, but I don't want to spend a minute of the rest of my life walking home after having my ride taken away, going to court to explain to a judge why I didn't bother to get a license even though I knew better, and getting my wife to drive me to the impound yard. And then having to get all of the stuff anyway. I figure the cheaper and quicker way is just to get the license etc. In Seattle, where I live, the number of scooters of all types is exploding and will just continue to do so. The cops have undoubtedly started noticing them, and most cops aren't stupid. (I'm biased though - my cousin's wife is the acting Chief of Police in Sequim -- she is also a total motorhead, loves going real fast in that hopped up car with the lights on the top). At some point some cop is going to ask me some questions if for nothing else than just curiosity, at which point I'm going to be able to school him or her on the regs, and impress him or her with my ride. Then I get to zoom off, and he or she will be less inclined to needlessly hassle the next rider on the road.
So, I'm almost done with my first build - a Hua Sheng 49cc 4-cycle put onto a Trek mountain bike. I've spent about $50 and about 20 hours building the light system (turn signals and brake light required some motorcycle parts) - all 3V battery powered with mostly LEDs. On Wednesday 8/20/08 I'll make my appearance at the WSP for vehicle inspection to get a VIN, which I need to get a license, which I need to get insurance.
By the way, the old guy I talked to at the State Patrol says he can't wait to see my new ride. He intentionally scheduled my inspection for a day when he will be there. I'm betting that they will all gather around and gawk at it, somewhat because it will look like a pro job, but mostly because most cops are motorheads and it's got a gas motor and wheels.
