[BCM] Motor Scooters and Electric Bikes

Tue Aug 10 22:41:05 EDT 2010

Bottom line; vehicles with engines do not belong where bicycles are allowed..... 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter" <gh3451 at yahoo.com> 
To: "Boston Critical Mass" <list at bostoncriticalmass.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 7:37:35 PM 
Subject: [*BCM*] Motor Scooters and Electric Bikes 

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 

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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