Commuting - Need to ask - scooters in bike lines?

Part Rant/Part Question --Anyone else have issues with this while commuting? I'm talking 49cc and some 125cc motor scooters have recently (more like frequently) taking up dedicated bike lanes on my route. I'm talking wide street, white line 3+ ft for bikes, another white line and 6+ft for parked cars to the curb. These aren't exceptionally busy streets either with most posting a 30mph speed limit - well within any motor scooter capacity. I've been inadvertently elbowed, swerved into and cut off. Even worse, trying to pass some of them. They speed up because how dare I pass them and slow them down to their destination. Last night I had one girl beeping her horn furiously at me to get out of her way and expected me to swerve into the parked cars or into the street. Almost worse than most 4 wheel vehicle drivers. I know you don't need a license for a 49cc scooter but wheres the common sense - or am i just being unfair.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=447860&highlight=scooters

how did i miss that link. :o

Check you local and state laws about motorized vehicles such as mopeds and scooters using the bike lanes. Some states require vehicles with 50cc and smaller engines must use the bicycle lanes when available and some ban all motorized vehicles from the bicycle lanes. If baned report motorized vehicles using the bicycle lanes. If not start start a petition to have the laws changed so they are banned.
http://static.zooomr.com/images/3693833_4864e7217d.jpg?r=360

The thing about that person beeping at you. That is wrong and rude. I advise at getting the plate, and shouting the plate back at her. Tell her she is breaking the law and see what her reaction is. She is placing you in a dangerous situation and that should not be tolerated. But it would be good to have it on video evidence as well. Thanks!

A scooter rider who beeps and swerves at me is going to get the Team Cinzano Treatment.

A scooter rider who beeps and swerves at me is going to get the Team Cinzano Treatment.

+1 on the Cinzano treatment, also if it has a plate it belongs in the street with all the other vehicles. As a motorcyclist as well as a cyclist the people that ride like that give us all a bad name.

I advise at getting the plate

Small scooters (under 50cc) are kind of a fringe-vehicle. Registration and insurance are not required
in most areas and thus don't have license plates

Small scooters (under 50cc) are kind of a fringe-vehicle. Registration and insurance are not required
in most areas and thus don't have license plates

It's not required to have an motorcycle endorsement on your license, but I haven't heard that you don't have to register and insure them. Everyplace I've lived, even a little 25cc moped needs a license plate.

There are tons of 49cc and under scooters here in Ky. with no plates. Personally I think all motorized (electric or gas) vehicles should be licensed.

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/06/14/tem_gopeds14.html

In Kentucky, however, scooter engines falling under 50 cubic centimeters are subject to the same regulations as bicycles and can be operated in the streets. (Most "Go-Ped" style scooter engines are about 20 cubic centimeters

Let them have the bike lanes.

I ride a scooter and if I encountered that I'd want to kick them right back into traffic.

I was passed by a scooter, a quad and a dirt bike last week on my way home. I was on a MUP (between Renton and Maple Valley for those that know the area). I didn't see any tags on any of the vehicles but I didn't look that close. Heck I was almost passed this morning by a deer! It didn't say "on your left" or ring a bell - it surprised the heck out of me! I think I set a new record on my heart rate monitor :)