Greetings All,
Well, I'm going to try to post this again! Darn thing timed out because I wrote so much.
This is my second post ever on this forum and I'm not a lawyer and I'm not pretending to be one because I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. But I think there are several things that need to be discussed when it comes to "motorized bicycles" or "mopeds" in Ohio.
Yes, the OAC, Ohio Administrative Code states that those two terms may be used interchangeably. Deal with it, whether you like it or not. I think everyone from Ohio needs to read the OAC Chapter 4501-23. It has the majority of the information we all need to understand concerning MB usage in Ohio. As for the Approved list of manufacturers, I do not believe that the state can explicitly state that we must purchase a bike through those companies as that would be the state saying that these are the safest MB's on the market. I did not realize the state could make this determination for me. I could be wrong with my thinking but...
Now on to the meat. Please read this carefully!
Section 4501-23-19 Assembly by person other than a manufacturer.
4501-23-19 Assembly by person other than manufacturer.
Nothing in these rules and regulations shall prohibit a person other than a manufacturer from constructing, assembling, or equipping a vehicle so as to conform to the specifications of a motorized bicycle. Such person shall, however, comply with all of the rules contained in Chapter 4501-23 of the Administrative Code to the same extent as is necessary of a manufacturer.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 09/12/2006 and 03/09/2011
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: R.C. 4511.521
Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4511.521
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/78
That sure reads to me that we can build our own custom MB's but we have to make sure we are building them to "code" if you will. We will have to get them properly registered and the such.
You could also establish your own business or diversify your already existing business and fill out a form from the Ohio Dept. of Public Safety, the BMV. This form is the Application for Manufacturer or Dealer in Watercraft Trailers OR Motorized Bicycles. The form will cost you $30 bucks. This is a small price to pay if you want a legit MB on an "approved list." You will have to make sure you have a federal tax id number to become eligible for this option. This will provide you with plates and the such. Check out the Ohio BMV for more information on this option.
So, there are options out there for us in Ohio. We just have to seek them out and follow through with the codes as we read them. Johnny Law might read them another way but I guess you can always ask for forgiveness later.
Thanks for taking the time to read this nonsense.