[*BCM*] Scooters in the bike lanes

[Rachel Elizabeth Dillon]

On Fri, Sep 21, 2007 at 09:04:20PM -0400, ThoM3 at aol.com wrote:
>  
> That was Not me in Inman Sq... and the guy was weaving to pass on the right  
> (you are right) without signaling.

I tend to think that not signaling, on a bike or on a moped, is lame.
It's probably especially lame on a moped where you can't read the rider's
body language as well. (I wondered if you were that person; I used the
bike lane briefly and a cyclist yelled at me "It's a bike lane!" He was
stymied by my response "It's legal under 50cc." I figured it might be the
sort of thing to provoke this question.)
  
> I think motorized vehicles are too big and too fast to be in the bike lane  
> period

Well, you're welcome to your opinion. If you haven't tried riding a
moped in bike lanes in Boston, I recommend trying it out; my opinion
is different based on that experience.

All the same, I am looking forward to when I am capable of riding again. ;)

-r.
 
> In a message dated 9/21/2007 8:58:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time, red at mit.edu  
> writes:
> 
> On Fri,  Sep 21, 2007 at 08:27:23PM -0400, ThoM3 at aol.com wrote:
> > are motorized  scooters and mopeds allowed in the bike lanes?
> 
> Yes, under certain  circumstances:  http://www.mass.gov/rmv/license/7moped.htm
> Specifically:
> 
> "In order  to be classified as a moped, the vehicle must:
> 
> * Have a  cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cubic centimeters.
> *  Have an automatic transmission.
> * Be capable of a maximum  speed of no more than 30 miles per hour.
> * Comply with all  applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards."
> 
> So if it has a  sticker and no plates, it's likely legal to ride in the
> bike lane. Anything  else requires a motorcycle license and plates, as
> I understand it, though I  haven't confirmed that with a citation.
> 
> > I find it hazardous  when they use them to pass cars on the  left
> 
> I assume you mean on  the right. Being confined to a Vespa instead of
> my bike lately (surgery  preventing me from doing much with my legs),
> I think it would be hazardous  to ride at full speed in the lane, but
> riding at bike speed seemed no more  dangerous than riding a bike there
> does. I tend to prefer to ride in the  main traffic lane unless there's
> crazy traffic.  Your opinion may  vary; but riding in the bike lane on
> a moped is, in MA,  legal.
> 
> -r.
> 
> And if that was you in Inman Square this morning, I  was like 200 feet in 
> front of you and totally signalled.  :)
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
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