[BCM] Motor Scooters and Electric Bikes

Tue Aug 10 22:37:35 EDT 2010

The subject is germane because of the fact that scooters are increasingly showing up in bicycle territory.  This summer I have been encountering highway legal scooters on the bike path in JP, although I am generally on this path at night.  I would expect this problem to grow along with scooter purchases. 
General laws aside there are many of these vehicles that are not registered when they should be.  It creates an opportunity for the perfect crime because if the authorities can't ticket it for revenue purposes they don't seem to be interested in it at all.
I also can't imagine that cops have the time to bother with this stuff given the general mayhem of the summer.

--- On Tue, 8/10/10, thom3 at aol.com <thom3 at aol.com> wrote:

From: thom3 at aol.com <thom3 at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] Electro Bike....Re: Battered Biker Syndrome
To: list at bostoncriticalmass.org
Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 6:08 PM

 When I did this article, the Phoenix compiled a list of contact info concerning most of the things you seek to address

http://thephoenix.com/boston/life/102061-pedal-promise/?page=2#TOPCONTENT

It's the "see something, say something" sidebar... racks and routes are mentioned.

also get involved with Mass Bike, voice your opinions by attending DCR and Mass Highway planning meetings (they are redoing the bridges and parts of the Esplanade). Livable Streets is another fine advocacy group to get involved with and there are many more.

-----Original Message-----

From: Steven Bercu <bercu at limelaw.com>

To: 'Boston Critical Mass' <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>

Sent: Tue, Aug 10, 2010 5:16 pm

Subject: Re: [*BCM*] Electro Bike....Re: Battered Biker Syndrome

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Any thoughts on what is the most effective way to lobby/advocate
for the following?

1.      
Better bicycle parking facilities in Boston.

2.      
Safer bicycle lanes/tracks along major transit corridors in the
greater Boston area.

3.      
Clearer definitions in the Mass. General Laws and reg’s
regarding what is a bicycle.

From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of Silivrenion

Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:06 PM

To: Boston Critical Mass

Subject: Re: [*BCM*] Electro Bike....Re: Battered Biker Syndrome

Well then, that's their loss. We're all bombarded with
irrelevant information everyday, and the Delete button isn't too far away from
this email if you're not interested.

The laws are really unclear as to the definitions of certain
vehicles on the road. It appears that this is what we have:

Mopeds, "motorized bicycles," contain a
conventional engine of less than 50cc, an automatic transmission, max speed of
30MPH (25 operating), and must comply with all road rules, and must pass on the
right. Mopeds may use bicycle lanes, excluding limited-use recreational paths.
Requires a registration sticker from the RMV, and a drivers license or permit.
From MGL 90: "Motorized bicycle'', a pedal bicycle which has a helper
motor, or a non-pedal bicycle which has a motor, with a cylinder capacity not
exceeding fifty cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and which is
capable of a maximum speed of no more than thirty miles per hour.

Motorized scooters are intended to be those things kids zip
around on, however the law is extremely vague on defining one. You need a
drivers license or permit, can ride in bike lanes except limited-use
recreational paths, and must pass on the right. 20MPH limit. They can't be
operated during night hours. -- MGL 90: "Motorized scooter'', any 2
wheeled tandem or 3 wheeled device, that has handlebars, designed to be stood
or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or gas powered motor that
is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. The
definition of "motorized scooter'' shall not include a motorcycle or
motorized bicycle or a 3 wheeled motorized wheelchair. 

A  "Motorcycle'' is any motor vehicle having
a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more
than three wheels in contact with the ground, including any bicycle with a
motor or driving wheel attached, except a tractor or a motor vehicle designed
for the carrying of golf clubs and not more than four persons, an industrial
three-wheel truck, a motor vehicle on which the operator and passenger ride
within an enclosed cab, or a motorized bicycle.

Regular bicycles are not defined in the general laws, but
there are laws about them, including that all bicycles must follow the regular
rules of the road -- with the exception of passing both left and right.

So, this leaves us with a problem with the electric bicycle
given before. Technically, it could be a motorcycle? But motorized bicycles
must have real engines? So what is it, and what laws are required of it? These
classifications, and what it is have a lot to do with where it is allowed to be
parked, and what ways it can be on. Technically, if a nice greenery path allows
bicycles, it is excluding anything that's not a bicycle -- except bicycle isn't
defined.

Honestly, I think Massachusetts should just rewrite all the
classifications to contain more specific information.

--------------------

Angela Morley

Founder & CEO, ionFyre Technologies

Computer Specialist, Salem State University Information
Technology Services

General Manager, WMWM Salem

On Tue, Aug 10, 2010 at 4:39 PM, Timothy Gorin <tgorin at gmail.com> wrote:

it was just a suggestion, do what you will.  it just
seems counterproductive if people to unsubscribe because they find a
somewhat tangential conversation a little annoying.

On Tue, Aug 10, 2010 at 4:21 PM, Mars <martian at mit.edu> wrote:

Compared to other BCM list threads?

On 8/10/2010 4:18 PM, Timothy Gorin wrote: 

seems like this convo is
between a small group of individuals...maybe you all could start your own email
thread for the purposes of this discussion? 

On Tue, Aug 10, 2010 at 4:15 PM, Jym Dyer <jym at econet.org> wrote:

> The bottom line is that
true mopeds (motorized bicycles with

> pedals) blur the lines of legality, and fall into the same

> kind of issues as motor scooters.

=v= The bottom line is that this is increasingly off-topic

for a Critical Mass list, given that Critical Mass is, at

bare minimum, about bicycles on streets.

   <_Jym_>

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[*BCM*] Motor Scooters and Electric Bikes

[BCM] Motor Scooters and Electric Bikes