| 1.
What are the Laws reqarding Electric Bicycles?
|
In
2001, the U. S. Congress passed Public Law
107-319 which exempts electric bicycles with
motors under 750 watts and limited to 20 mph
maximum speed from the definition of a motor
vehicle "for the purposes of motor vehicle
safety standards". This means that manufacturers
of these bicycles do not have to meet federal
equipment requirements (DOT), and are instead
regulated by the manufacturing requirements
of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).
There is no mention of exemption from other
federal, state, and local traffic laws, or
exemption from the definition of a motor vehicle
for other purposes.
Throughout the US most states have therefore
passed their own laws that extend and in some
cases modify the federal law. California law
raises the allowable power from a electric
bike to be for a motor up to 1000 watts maximum
and states that no driver's license, license
plate, nor insurance is required. You must
be 16 years or older and wear a standard bicycle
helmet to legally ride an electric bike. Electric
bikes are subject to all the rules of the
road. It's legally a bicycle, so you can use
it wherever and however you can use a bicycle.
Washington law is similar. Additional laws
governing the operation and safety of electric
bicycles vary by state or local government
so check with your local DMV if you are not
sure about your state laws. There are several
links at the bottom of this page that you
can review for further help. |
| Q.
Are there special insurance requirements ? |
No
insurance is required to ride an e-bike. However,
if you want to insure it against theft, check
your current homeowner's insurance policy.
An electric bicycle may be covered. To determine
coverage, check with your insurance company
or agent. When you buy an electric bicycle
you will get a disclaimer that says something
like this:
"YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES
MAY NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING
THE USE OF THIS BICYCLE. TO DETERMINE IF COVERAGE
IS PROVIDED YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY OR AGENT." |
| Q.
Is an electric bicycle considered a zero emission
vehicle? |
| Yes.
Electric bikes have qualified for electric
vehicle credits in some communities. In Santa
Cruz and soon in San Francisco there are even
Rebate Programs to compensate people who go
to the expense of purchasing an Ebike or Ebike
Kit for commuting purposes. You need to attend
a safety class but if you do you can get up
to 50 percent of the Ebike price rebated back
to you depending on where you live. Check
with your local environmental management group
for clarification. A link for Santa Cruz's
Rebate program is below. Remember that every
time you take a short trip on your electric
bicycle rather than a car, you significantly
help our pollution problem. http://www.ecoact.org/Programs/Transportation/Electric_Bike_Program/index.htm
|
| 2.
What are the laws regarding electric motorscooters
or mopeds? |
A
"moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled
device having fully operative pedals for propulsion
by human power, or having no pedals if powered
solely by electrical energy, and an automatic
transmission and a motor which produces less
than 2 gross brake horsepower and is capable
of propelling the device at a maximum speed
of not more than 30 miles per hour on level
ground.
Most motor vehicles must be registered with
the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Electric Motorized scooters however are considered
"mopeds" and are exempt from normal
motor or motorcycle vehicle registration (sec.
4020), but must display a special plate issued
by the department (sec. 5030). There is a
once only DMV special plate fee of about $6.
The DMV says all you need to do is bring your
drivers license, bill of sale, title and the
completed application form to DMV and they
will issue you a registration card and special
plates. The fee for license plates is a one-time
expense for as long as you own the scooter.
A PDF file application form can be downloaded
from the DMV link below. You need to be 18
years or older with a M1 or M2 license in
most states to ride an electric motorscooter.
|
| 3.
For California code the CHP and DMV do a good
job at helping at the following links : |
What
is an electric bicycle or "motorized
bicycle" and "moped" |
| Electric
Vehicle definitions scooters, bikes, motorscooters |
| Electric
Motorscooter DMV Registration Requirements
and downloadable application form |
| Electric
Motorscooters and How to apply for a drivers
license |
| Electric
MotorScooters definition |
| California
Moped law |
| California
Vehicle Code if you really like reading |
| 4.
Other links for worldwide information: |
| http://www.answers.com/topic/electric-bicycle-laws |
| http://moped2.org/mlaws.htm
|
|
http://www.pleiades-enterprises.com/images/New_Electric_Bicycle_Law_in_the_USA.doc |
Electric
Moped & Bikes
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