Electric Bikes - How many of you have installed a

I was doing some searches in various place and was curious as to how many of you have registered your E-Bike with the DMV? I have registered mine and received the plate and paperwork but have not installed it yet as I dont know if I am going to. It seems like installing it would get me into more trouble than just leaving it at home. (IE having police ask me for insurance even though its not required. Or just getting hassled as to why I have a license plate on my bike). It just seems like it would draw more attention than its worth. It is required by law in my area (California) whether people want to admit it or not. (the law does have some gray areas though)

Not required here in Alberta, Canada. Well, technically as long as I can't exceed 32km/h without pedalling.

Not required here in Florida, USA.

Well after re reading the laws here, I guess they are not required. The law pretty much says they are and they are not. I might just put it in my trunk bag and if for some reason I get pulled over and asked why I dont have a plate, I will show them it along with the registration paper.

Well after re reading the laws here, I guess they are not required. The law pretty much says they are and they are not. I might just put it in my trunk bag and if for some reason I get pulled over and asked why I dont have a plate, I will show them it along with the registration paper.

There's a thread that specifically discusses California law, and yes, some e-bikes there have to be registered. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?612111-California-laws-on-ebikes&highlight=DMV
Some other states also require more powerful e-bikes to be registered as mopeds. Many use standards set out in the federal law that dictates which safety standards to apply to ready-made e-bikes sold the in the US as a guide to determine what e-bikes should be considered mopeds and require licensing. Everyone should check their state's statutes to see if their e-bike must be licensed and insured.

Let me dispel the misunderstanding held by many in the e-bike community. There is no federal law that allows you to ride your e-bike and treat it as an ordinary bicycle with respect to operation and insurance. Congress has left it up to the states to determine whether e-bikes may be operated on public roads. What Congress did do in 2002 was respond to big bicycle manufacturers lobbying against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) assertion of it's right to promulgate safety regulations for all ready-made e-bikes in the US. In 2002, Congress enacted Public Law 107-319, which created two distinct classes of e-bikes for purposes of federal safety regulations--low-speed electric bicycles and all others. "Low-speed electric bicycles," which is defined as "a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph.," must only meet safety standards set for consumer bicycles by the Consumer Product Safety Administration. All other e-bikes must meet the safety standards for mopeds/motorcycles set by the NHTSA. At present, the safety standards apply only to ready-made e-bikes, not conversion kits. However, I think it's simply a matter of time before conversion kits get covered by some kind of federal safety standards as China exports more powerful hub motors.

In CA you only have to register your bike if it goes >30mph. It is then classified as a moped like vehicle and you must wear a helmet, have turn and break signals, license plate and insurance.

HOWEVER, my bike has a top speed of 28mph and even with the few times that I've passed a cop going that fast without seeing them, I have not gotten pulled over. It seems like they have a mentality "if it looks like a bike and rides like a bike it is a bike" so they've left me alone up to this point. IF they did stop me and actually go through the trouble of testing my motor then they could ticket me and I would most likely have to put a limiter on to get the ticket fixed.

You should also note that the "pedalec" bikes that looks like scooters with pedals are far more likely to get pulled over just for being in the bike lane and therefore are more likely to get a ticket. There was a guy on youtube that got a $2k fine for riding a unlicensed moped in the bike lane even though it was a e-bike that just looked like a scooter. Just another reason to get a conversion kit.

Thanks for the replies. I have since mounted my controller and watt meter in my trunk bag and re wired my bike so it is about as stealth as possible. (the main reason for this was the last few storms make me worried about my controller getting wet). I took it out full throttle for a couple miles and checked the controller and it was not even warm. I contacted my dealer and he said that it should not be a problem since im only running 36v and I live in san diego county. My plate sits on my desk now patiently waiting for the laws to change with the uprise of electric bikes and the speeds in which they travel.

Oh an BTW, I am in the same category as you because my bike is faster than 20mph but slower than 30mph. I am in the gray area and love it. lol

In CA you only have to register your bike if it goes >30mph. It is then classified as a moped like vehicle and you must wear a helmet, have turn and break signals, license plate and insurance.

HOWEVER, my bike has a top speed of 28mph and even with the few times that I've passed a cop going that fast without seeing them, I have not gotten pulled over. It seems like they have a mentality "if it looks like a bike and rides like a bike it is a bike" so they've left me alone up to this point. IF they did stop me and actually go through the trouble of testing my motor then they could ticket me and I would most likely have to put a limiter on to get the ticket fixed.

You should also note that the "pedalec" bikes that looks like scooters with pedals are far more likely to get pulled over just for being in the bike lane and therefore are more likely to get a ticket. There was a guy on youtube that got a $2k fine for riding a unlicensed moped in the bike lane even though it was a e-bike that just looked like a scooter. Just another reason to get a conversion kit.

SoCal,

Section 406 of the California Vehicle Code needs to be read in conjunction with section 24016, which only exempts those motorized bicycles described in 406(b), i.e., top speed is 20 MPH or less, from complying with Vehicle Code requirements pertaining to financial responsibility (i.e., registration and insurance). Bikes with speeds faster than 20MPH fall within section 406(a) and are not exempted from provisions of the California Vehicle code relating to financial responsibility (i.e., registration and insurance). http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?612111-California-laws-on-ebikes&highlight=DMV

SoCal,

Section 406 of the California Vehicle Code needs to be read in conjunction with section 24016, which only exempts those motorized bicycles described in 406(b), i.e., top speed is 20 MPH or less, from complying with Vehicle Code requirements pertaining to financial responsibility (i.e., registration and insurance). Bikes with speeds faster than 20MPH fall within section 406(a) and are not exempted from provisions of the California Vehicle code relating to financial responsibility (i.e., registration and insurance). http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?612111-California-laws-on-ebikes&highlight=DMV


Ah yes, It must be over 20mph and under 30mph to be considered 406(a). I am in the (a) category but will hold off on the legal stuff until im running 48+ volts. Thanks for the clarification.

SoCal,

Section 406 of the California Vehicle Code needs to be read in conjunction with section 24016, which only exempts those motorized bicycles described in 406(b), i.e., top speed is 20 MPH or less, from complying with Vehicle Code requirements pertaining to financial responsibility (i.e., registration and insurance). Bikes with speeds faster than 20MPH fall within section 406(a) and are not exempted from provisions of the California Vehicle code relating to financial responsibility (i.e., registration and insurance). http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?612111-California-laws-on-ebikes&highlight=DMV


oh, that's right. If it goes over 30 it's considered a moped but between 20 and 30 is still considered a bike(ie bike lanes and such). Thank you for correcting me, it's been a while since I looked at the codes and clearly I was mixed up.

oh, that's right. If it goes over 30 it's considered a moped but between 20 and 30 is still considered a bike(ie bike lanes and such). Thank you for correcting me, it's been a while since I looked at the codes and clearly I was mixed up.

correct but you fall into the 406(a) law and that means all sorts of hoops you need to jump through. I guess its best to just limit yourself when your around a place where you will get caught speeding. Then open it up when your by yourself.