Is the bicycle a vehicle in California?
10-06-15, 10:39 PM
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This would be a good time for John Forrester to chime in, but he hasn't been around much this year; I believe he was very actively involved along the edges when that particular portion of the CA vehicle code was put in place. If I recall correctly from past discussions, there are so many requirements for vehicles that bikes do not, can not and need not satisfy that it was deemed too cumbersome to change thousands of lines of statute to accommodate them as explicit vehicles. Instead, the compromise was to not include them as vehicles but to give their operators the rights and responsibilities of vehicle operators, thus saving tens of thousands of man hours rewriting the code.
As others have said, from a practical matter it's all the same.
As others have said, from a practical matter it's all the same.
10-07-15, 05:56 AM
#27
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Many years ago (several decades, actually), the police certainly acted like it was a vehicle when they gave me a ticket for speeding and an illegal left turn....
10-07-15, 07:38 AM
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TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 551. OPERATION OF BICYCLES, MOPEDS, AND PLAY VEHICLES
Sec. 551.101. RIGHTS AND DUTIES. (a) A person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle
10-07-15, 08:39 PM
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10-07-15, 09:43 PM
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My state has no classification of "e-bike". There is one for "Segway"-type devices but that's it. My reading is that e-bike is in the category of Moped, which is limited in the max power output allowed and the max speed that can be attained on level ground with a specified weight rider. Requires a valid drivers license, but I don't think they need MC endorsement.
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https://endless-sphere.com/forums/vi...hp?f=3&t=32982
Hawaii State Electric Bike Laws
10-08-15, 05:21 AM
#31
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Vehicles are driven, unless you are one of those weirdo autonomous car outfits and even then they still need a driver now and then to control the vehicle.
Technically, you power it, and regardless you must guide it so you are part of the vehicle. Therefore, vehicle means operator as well.
Technically, you power it, and regardless you must guide it so you are part of the vehicle. Therefore, vehicle means operator as well.
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10-08-15, 06:17 AM
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Vehicles are driven, unless you are one of those weirdo autonomous car outfits and even then they still need a driver now and then to control the vehicle.
Technically, you power it, and regardless you must guide it so you are part of the vehicle. Therefore, vehicle means operator as well.
Technically, you power it, and regardless you must guide it so you are part of the vehicle. Therefore, vehicle means operator as well.
The driver is not the vehicle. The vehicle is not the driver.
A vehicle is a vehicle even when not being driven.
The driver doesn't power a motor vehicle (which is still a vehicle).
Basic logic.
10-08-15, 04:40 PM
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Last edited by scott967; 10-08-15 at 04:45 PM.
10-09-15, 07:56 AM
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Thanks, but cites no code sections nor case law. First link seems to rely on the IMO bogus argument that because there is a federal consumer protection law for e-bikes sold in the US, that somehow prevents states from regulating them in use as mopeds or otherwise. That being said, I agree that e-bikes should be classed separately with appropriate law and regulation. My inclination would be to treat them like bicycles not motor vehicles.
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The federal law might not force particular regulation but it may guide it.
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