DuctTapedGoat
Active Member
So, living in Boise Idaho when I first began riding Motorized Bicycles, I investigated the Idaho Code, and what it says about our favorite vehicles.
To be considered a Motor Vehicle, it would need to meet one of these qualifications;
*50cc and larger is a motor vehicle.
*Speeds in excess of 30 MPH.
*No pedals.
I did as most people did and contacted many officials. The common consensus stated that (as most riders have discovered themselves), "It is a grey area, and it's up to the officer."
I have came into police contact 4 times in two and a half years.
One time, I was told I was operating illegally. Of course, then the officer stated that he smelled alcohol on my breath (I haven't had a drink in over 3 years). After he realized that wasn't getting anywhere, he hassled me for unburnt fuel coming out of the exhaust. Needless to say, I was bugged for 5-10 minutes and was on my way without any tickets.
Another time I was stopped in a parking lot... the officers thought it was the coolest thing they'd ever seen and asked the same questions that we all get asked (MPG, top speed, price, etc). I was on my way in under 5 minutes.
If you know Boise, then you know Garden City... I was stopped right at Veterans and Chinden (like, 20 feet into Garden City). I was questioned thoroughly, threatened with many violations of the law (No License, No Registration, No Insurance), and peristantly badgered. I simply told him that the motor size deemed it unnecessary to register, and due to that fact, no license and no insurance would be needed to operate it on a public roadway, given that I respect the bicycle laws. We argued back and forth and he left stating that, "We could do this all night, and you know what... I could be wrong, you could be wrong, and neither of us have a copy of the Idaho Code to hash this out with. I suggest you study up on it." After 20 minutes, I was on my way.
The most recent time, I was simply told that "Those bikes are illegal." I told him that they weren't, and that there was Idaho Code that deemed them legal to operate. After reciting the now usual speech of engine size and top speed as it pertains to the code, he surprised me by responding with, "Really? How much does it get to the gallon? Where'd you get it?" Within 5 minutes, I was on my way.
Now, here's a really cool thing about operating these motorized bicycles. Idaho doesn't have any "Motor Assisted Bicycle" laws, and thus they fall under bicycle law. When reading these, do remember to do these things safely, and not to abuse these small priveledges.
*At a stop sign, a bicycle doesn't have to stop, only yield. (In other words, you have the right of way, but seriously, don't push it. 50 MPH car - bike collision via t-bone is a terrible way to go.)
*Where there is a left turn lane, either at a light or in the roadway, a bicyclist can use it. (I have made many left turns at traffic lights with police cars directly in front of me, either across the intersection or traveling in front of me in the turn lane. Never have I been stopped a single time.)
*Bicycles must ride to the extreme right of the road, as far as possible given road conditions. (In other words, if there is so much snow you can't see the bike lane, ride in the right tire track. And if you're a serious a rider as me, you'll know that those **** cars are driving over your snow covered bike lane anyways!)
*(my favorite) Hand turn signaling is not required if both hands are needed for operation of the bicycle. (Because the clutch is needed to brake before turning, you'll never have to use hand signals.)
Of course, Idaho Code mentions that you cannot operate anything with a motor on sidewalks, regardless of size and speed, and if you're living in Boise, stay off the Greenbelt, seriously. You're not allowed to, you can pull every card in the book, don't bring flak down on other riders. The Greenbelt is for bicyclists going 15 MPH so they can reach destinations quickly. If you're motored, you're going at least 30-35, so use the roads! You're already a huge step ahead of the game as far as bike transportation is concerned.
This is a big one, RIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. This is for all bicyclists, this is not an opinion, it is not a suggestion, it is a fact and it is a law. If not for following the rules, then for your own safety.
As well, from dusk until dawn, a front light that can be seen for 200 feet must be turned on, and a rear reflector (not the one in the wheel) must be installed or you will be issued a ticket. That front light law is not so that you can see, it is so that you can be seen.
I have one last story to tell you here, and this applies to all MxB riders.
There was a time I was riding along minding my business. I'm in the bike lane. I'm doing 40 with a tail wind. I'm hitting a Jeep Cherokee making a left hand turn off the street in front of me. I bail from the bike, getting my knees to clear the handlebars and roll across his windshield. Of course this dude, he's freaked out by now, he thinks he killed me. I got off his hood, and walked over to my bike and his driver side door. He asked if I was okay, if I needed a doctor, if my bike was okay, etc etc. I hit this guy hard enough to send my front tire back past the frame, those forks were toasted. I told him I was okay, not to worry, I don't want to press charges, I don't need your insurance info and plate number. I disengaged the v-brakes in the front, cranked the front forks backwards via the gooseneck and handlebars, and motored my way home.
THERE IS A MORAL TO THIS STORY.
I kept the cops out of it. I could have sued him for a few grand, and got a plasma screen - but I know that I am not the only MxB rider in Boise. I don't want to bring any flak down on other riders, I don't want any extra laws that would require licenses and registration for MxBs, and how we can avoid new laws is to stay out of the spotlight. Get to where you're going and enjoy yourself, but please, don't be that guy who tries to get the spotlight and take legal action against a driver, brings attention to the MxB community and ends up being the straw that broke the camels back and gets new laws in place. If you want to be that guy, go buy a Lambo and drive around bar parking lots at 2am.
Anyways, that's the gist of it out here in Boise Idaho. Ride safely, show respect to the local MxB rider you'll never meet, know your rights, know the code, and respect those 2000 pound vehicles that could cream you and your tiny motor in an instant.
EDIT : I did forget one final thing! It involves freeway and highway use. In Idaho, you cannot operate a moped on the highway or freeway if it cannot go over 50 MPH or if it's displacement is under 50cc. This I'm sure is a liability addendum to the registration article in the Idaho Code. If it is too small to be registered, it's too small for the highway/freeway, as well, this prevents uninsured MxB riders on 48cc bikes from getting into collisions.
To be considered a Motor Vehicle, it would need to meet one of these qualifications;
*50cc and larger is a motor vehicle.
*Speeds in excess of 30 MPH.
*No pedals.
I did as most people did and contacted many officials. The common consensus stated that (as most riders have discovered themselves), "It is a grey area, and it's up to the officer."
I have came into police contact 4 times in two and a half years.
One time, I was told I was operating illegally. Of course, then the officer stated that he smelled alcohol on my breath (I haven't had a drink in over 3 years). After he realized that wasn't getting anywhere, he hassled me for unburnt fuel coming out of the exhaust. Needless to say, I was bugged for 5-10 minutes and was on my way without any tickets.
Another time I was stopped in a parking lot... the officers thought it was the coolest thing they'd ever seen and asked the same questions that we all get asked (MPG, top speed, price, etc). I was on my way in under 5 minutes.
If you know Boise, then you know Garden City... I was stopped right at Veterans and Chinden (like, 20 feet into Garden City). I was questioned thoroughly, threatened with many violations of the law (No License, No Registration, No Insurance), and peristantly badgered. I simply told him that the motor size deemed it unnecessary to register, and due to that fact, no license and no insurance would be needed to operate it on a public roadway, given that I respect the bicycle laws. We argued back and forth and he left stating that, "We could do this all night, and you know what... I could be wrong, you could be wrong, and neither of us have a copy of the Idaho Code to hash this out with. I suggest you study up on it." After 20 minutes, I was on my way.
The most recent time, I was simply told that "Those bikes are illegal." I told him that they weren't, and that there was Idaho Code that deemed them legal to operate. After reciting the now usual speech of engine size and top speed as it pertains to the code, he surprised me by responding with, "Really? How much does it get to the gallon? Where'd you get it?" Within 5 minutes, I was on my way.
Now, here's a really cool thing about operating these motorized bicycles. Idaho doesn't have any "Motor Assisted Bicycle" laws, and thus they fall under bicycle law. When reading these, do remember to do these things safely, and not to abuse these small priveledges.
*At a stop sign, a bicycle doesn't have to stop, only yield. (In other words, you have the right of way, but seriously, don't push it. 50 MPH car - bike collision via t-bone is a terrible way to go.)
*Where there is a left turn lane, either at a light or in the roadway, a bicyclist can use it. (I have made many left turns at traffic lights with police cars directly in front of me, either across the intersection or traveling in front of me in the turn lane. Never have I been stopped a single time.)
*Bicycles must ride to the extreme right of the road, as far as possible given road conditions. (In other words, if there is so much snow you can't see the bike lane, ride in the right tire track. And if you're a serious a rider as me, you'll know that those **** cars are driving over your snow covered bike lane anyways!)
*(my favorite) Hand turn signaling is not required if both hands are needed for operation of the bicycle. (Because the clutch is needed to brake before turning, you'll never have to use hand signals.)
Of course, Idaho Code mentions that you cannot operate anything with a motor on sidewalks, regardless of size and speed, and if you're living in Boise, stay off the Greenbelt, seriously. You're not allowed to, you can pull every card in the book, don't bring flak down on other riders. The Greenbelt is for bicyclists going 15 MPH so they can reach destinations quickly. If you're motored, you're going at least 30-35, so use the roads! You're already a huge step ahead of the game as far as bike transportation is concerned.
This is a big one, RIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. This is for all bicyclists, this is not an opinion, it is not a suggestion, it is a fact and it is a law. If not for following the rules, then for your own safety.
As well, from dusk until dawn, a front light that can be seen for 200 feet must be turned on, and a rear reflector (not the one in the wheel) must be installed or you will be issued a ticket. That front light law is not so that you can see, it is so that you can be seen.
I have one last story to tell you here, and this applies to all MxB riders.
There was a time I was riding along minding my business. I'm in the bike lane. I'm doing 40 with a tail wind. I'm hitting a Jeep Cherokee making a left hand turn off the street in front of me. I bail from the bike, getting my knees to clear the handlebars and roll across his windshield. Of course this dude, he's freaked out by now, he thinks he killed me. I got off his hood, and walked over to my bike and his driver side door. He asked if I was okay, if I needed a doctor, if my bike was okay, etc etc. I hit this guy hard enough to send my front tire back past the frame, those forks were toasted. I told him I was okay, not to worry, I don't want to press charges, I don't need your insurance info and plate number. I disengaged the v-brakes in the front, cranked the front forks backwards via the gooseneck and handlebars, and motored my way home.
THERE IS A MORAL TO THIS STORY.
I kept the cops out of it. I could have sued him for a few grand, and got a plasma screen - but I know that I am not the only MxB rider in Boise. I don't want to bring any flak down on other riders, I don't want any extra laws that would require licenses and registration for MxBs, and how we can avoid new laws is to stay out of the spotlight. Get to where you're going and enjoy yourself, but please, don't be that guy who tries to get the spotlight and take legal action against a driver, brings attention to the MxB community and ends up being the straw that broke the camels back and gets new laws in place. If you want to be that guy, go buy a Lambo and drive around bar parking lots at 2am.
Anyways, that's the gist of it out here in Boise Idaho. Ride safely, show respect to the local MxB rider you'll never meet, know your rights, know the code, and respect those 2000 pound vehicles that could cream you and your tiny motor in an instant.
EDIT : I did forget one final thing! It involves freeway and highway use. In Idaho, you cannot operate a moped on the highway or freeway if it cannot go over 50 MPH or if it's displacement is under 50cc. This I'm sure is a liability addendum to the registration article in the Idaho Code. If it is too small to be registered, it's too small for the highway/freeway, as well, this prevents uninsured MxB riders on 48cc bikes from getting into collisions.
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