Madd Matt
New Member
I am likely just repeating a gripe that most riders have already experienced but I am going to vent anyways!!
I have been building and riding since approximately mid-2006 and thus far I have had no problems with the law here in Wichita Falls Texas. In fact the local authorities have responded to my bike with big grins and thumbs up and on two occasions I was waved down with questions about building and cost and difficulty. My gripe is absolutely not with the local guys but rather with DPS (Dept. Public Safety) and Highway Patrol.
I went to DPS to renew my commercial license and thought I might ask what the laws were about these bikes. Where better to ask than "from the horses mouth"? What a clusterf__k !! I had two admin types and three patrolmen get involved in the attempt to answer what the requirements to ride legally, really were!
I then spent about an hour going thru the definitions and licensing requirements for motorcycles, mopeds, "electric neighborhood vehicles" (?? don't ask), light motorcycles, offroad vehicles and bicycles.
I am still lost because my reading of the laws is they contradict each other depending on which section they are in??!!
How are we to obey the law and meet the requirements when the authorities cannot agree?
I have reach the opinion that if you use some common sense and ride courteously, the local cops (at least here in Wichita Falls) will smile, wave and go on about their business. If anyone from Texas can add anything of substance to this question, Please do!!
Still Riding in North Texas,
Madd Matt
I have been building and riding since approximately mid-2006 and thus far I have had no problems with the law here in Wichita Falls Texas. In fact the local authorities have responded to my bike with big grins and thumbs up and on two occasions I was waved down with questions about building and cost and difficulty. My gripe is absolutely not with the local guys but rather with DPS (Dept. Public Safety) and Highway Patrol.
I went to DPS to renew my commercial license and thought I might ask what the laws were about these bikes. Where better to ask than "from the horses mouth"? What a clusterf__k !! I had two admin types and three patrolmen get involved in the attempt to answer what the requirements to ride legally, really were!
I then spent about an hour going thru the definitions and licensing requirements for motorcycles, mopeds, "electric neighborhood vehicles" (?? don't ask), light motorcycles, offroad vehicles and bicycles.
I am still lost because my reading of the laws is they contradict each other depending on which section they are in??!!
How are we to obey the law and meet the requirements when the authorities cannot agree?
I have reach the opinion that if you use some common sense and ride courteously, the local cops (at least here in Wichita Falls) will smile, wave and go on about their business. If anyone from Texas can add anything of substance to this question, Please do!!
Still Riding in North Texas,
Madd Matt