Bicycles with a motor - is it a motorcycle?

[Dingman]

As a grumpy old man and a lifelong cyclist, I'm gonna say this.
If you add a motor to a bicycle, it is now a motorcycle.

I normally ride thousands of miles a year on my bicycle. I ride mostly on trails because of course, cars are dangerous to cyclists. Here in Iowa, the penalty for killing a cyclist(s) with your truck is less than a second DUI offense.

So I ride on the bike trails. And you see where I'm going with this. You ya-hoos who have really never ridden on trails now have a "bicycle with a motor" and you are now riding the trails like you drive your damn car. Running stop signs at high speed, dangerously passing, actually running people OFF the trail.
I am now seeing this BS on the bike trails. (EDIT not every day, maybe once a week)
I can see the allure and I see the wide open grins of these (you) people on these bikes with motors - they are having a blast. Most have never ridden bikes because it requires physical abilities that not all people possess.
But give me a break - the trails are now becoming as dangerous as the streets because we now have MOTORCYCLES on BIKE TRAILS.

 

[mkane]

Totally agree. Been riding going on 50 years hardcore. More it you count the early days.

 

[sKiZo]

... it's a motorized bicycle ... ;-}

An electric motor (eBike) is even legal for use on any public trail for a handicapper per section 11 of the ADA, so like ... deal with it.

I feel the same way about these idjits on bikes trying to run me down, zipping past without warning when I'm walking the local trails.

I'm debating with myself if my latest machine is a motorcycle. If it helps any, I don't have any current plans to take it on the trails though.

 

[E2]

For someone who has been cycling for ever I find it odd that someone does not know the difference between a motorcycle, and an E-Bike.

I guess middle earth has many strange folks.

E-bikes are quite expensive, most folks I see using them use them as a cheap alternative to owning an automobile.

Why is this thread in D&S ?

 

[sKiZo]

I wouldn't call the eBikes expensive ... not most of them anyway. I paid $1100 for mine with all the bells and whistles.

 

[quiet]

Our road accommodation for bikes is miserable. Lip service at best.

Our old folks are at risk for loneliness and depression. We don't want them risking a heart attack peddling around. When they get out and run the trails on an E-Bike I'm all for it. I see them, talk to them, share drinks and eats. They light up pretty good with a little attention, respect and appreciation. But it don't happen with them vegetating in the recliner at home.

Running the trails E-Bike style is a big benefit for them. I hope they don't run me down, probably will. Doubt it's gonna kill me. I'm good with that.

But the hot rod yahoos, that's a different thing. Cook them at the stake.

 

[Dingman]

For someone who has been cycling for ever I find it odd that someone does not know the difference between a motorcycle, and an E-Bike.

I guess middle earth has many strange folks.

E-bikes are quite expensive, most folks I see using them use them as a cheap alternative to owning an automobile.

Why is this thread in D&S ?

Doh, I posted in wrong forum, my bad.
And what you describe is semantics.
I'm describing a bicycle with a motor that then goes faster than nearly all the other bikes on the trail, and the owners are often noobs who are totally unfamiliar with trail safety and etiquette.

 

[Dingman]

Our road accommodation for bikes is miserable. Lip service at best.

Our old folks are at risk for loneliness and depression. We don't want them risking a heart attack peddling around. When they get out and run the trails on an E-Bike I'm all for it. I see them, talk to them, share drinks and eats. They light up pretty good with a little attention, respect and appreciation. But it don't happen with them vegetating in the recliner at home.

Running the trails E-Bike style is a big benefit for them. I hope they don't run me down, probably will. Doubt it's gonna kill me. I'm good with that.

But the hot rod yahoos, that's a different thing. Cook them at the stake.

This is also something that I can't disagree with. More people getting outside is never a bad thing.
My point stands about the increased danger on the bike trails, which STILL have signs on them saying "No motorized vehicles".

 

[Mr. Bissness]

Here’s a few bikes with motors…

 

[BamaBilly]

Not a motorcycle

 

[Mystic]

Here’s a few bikes with motors…View attachment 2293466

These have been popular in France for decades. The "big one" is Solex ... there are 63 for sale w/in a 50-km radiou of my addresss. My neighbor, 44 years old, still has the one he received when he was around 10 years old. And it still runs. Per French law, these vehicles are treated identically as are motorcycyles -- yeah, even big superbikes and road cruisers -- and require a valid operator's license, insurance, and an annual vehicle inspection at a state-certified Control Technique facility.

Here's a 1964 Solex model for sale a few kilometers form me asking Euros 400:



Only slightly less popular (and abundant re: used supply) is a thing made by Peugot called "Mobylette". Here's a Mobylette, also close by, a 1960 model available for jusy Euros 100:



As w/ the Solex, this ^^^ the operator of this vehicle must have a (motorcycyle class) license, insurance, and submit to annual mechanical/operational inspection.

 

[Mystic]

cc @Dingman

So yeah, in France these "motorized bicycles" are formally/legally classified as motorcycles.

Also, it is expressly illegal to operate these vehicles on trails / paths dedicated to unmotorized bicycles. And this law is strictly enforced ... over here. A "first offense" is a fine of around Euros 1,000 ($1,180) in Alsace-Lorraine ... maybe maybe not higher in other departments. And the perp will be fined.

 

[YY1]

It varies by state, but in general:

A- anything over 49 cc is considered a motorcycle and requires a motorcycle endorsement. In FL (and OH), even a 49 cc vehicle requires a driver's license.

B- in FL those three wheelers (even the "Slingshot" are considered motorcycles and also require a motorcycle endorsement.

C- in FL you are required to either, 1- have insurance on a motorcycle, or 2- wear a helmet.


FL claims to be bicycle on roadway friendly yet they seem to be either confused or unaware of the actualities of that mode of transportation.
They are extensively and at great cost, repaving a 4 lane 60 MPH artery including relocating curbs and medians to add 36-48 inch wide bike lanes.
In the past 4 years I can count on one hand how many bicyclists I've seen on that road which I travel on twice a day for about 10 miles.

OTOH, the secondary, 2 lane 45 MPH road that leads to my neighborhood has frequent if not heavy bicycle and pedestrian traffic every day at all hours, and has an 18 inch (if that) section between the white line and the nearly sheer drainage ditch drop-off.

ATTENTION FL DOT- spend the money where it's needed and where it's cost effective.....PLEASE!


Also, for some reason Floridians seem to have what I consider an odd attitude about bicycles and sidewalks. I've heard many express shock (yes, shock) that bicycles could share the sidewalk with pedestrians.
In OH, this is very common and accepted as normal. Not sure why FL feels differently. From a physics standpoint a potential collision between a 20 MPH or less bike and pedestrian is way less potential for injury than a collision between that 20 MPH (usually WAY less) bike and a 45 to 60 MPH car.

 

[Hobie1dog]

Just saw my first electric bicycle in the normal car traffic lanes, I guess that's what we are going to see here in the future ,no license necessary

 

[Erik Tracy]

It's up to the individual on how they want to identify?

 

[E2]

I wouldn't call the eBikes expensive ... not most of them anyway. I paid $1100 for mine with all the bells and whistles.

I don't know what kind of Ebike that is, but in that market $1100 is not normal. That's low end for an Ebike. That doesn't mean it's bad. And Was that new? Or used.

I do cycle, and re-sell bikes, and have for years.

 

[E2]

Just saw my first electric bicycle in the normal car traffic lanes, I guess that's what we are going to see here in the future ,no license necessary

No registration fees, no ridiculous insurance rates, no gas, depending on where you live no annual inspection fee just to name a few. (All of this location dependent)

 

[MKF83]

It sounded like the OP was concerned with normal pedal bikes with Chinesium strap on gas engine kits. Usually 2-stroke with a poor muffler if they have one at all. They can reach some impressive speeds. Not a good thing when strapped to a Walmart mountain bike with marginal brakes to begin with.
Its like showing up to a Fly Fishing Only trout stream with a bucket of worms and a bobber. Yeah, It's a fishing hole, but the people that play by the rules will be pissed.

 

[bigcaddy64]

I don't know what kind of Ebike that is, but in that market $1100 is not normal. That's low end for an Ebike. That doesn't mean it's bad. And Was that new? Or used.

I do cycle, and re-sell bikes, and have for years.

My Su-ron Light Bee was just a tad under $6000 and it tops out around 60 mph. Its scary at full speed but no different then a Harley except its nearly silent, just chain noises. We only take them out to the dirt/wilderness areas, away from the trails. To me, its an electric motorcycle and has no business on a bike path/trail. That's just inconsiderate.

 

[bigcaddy64]

Here’s a few bikes with motors…View attachment 2293466

Nice J motor whizzer. My dad has quite a few of them in his collection and i like the look of unrestored ones more then museum examples.