Gas Engine Assisted Bicycles Have Special Rules
Thursday, July 25, 2013 @ 3:55 AM
Prince George, B.C.- They are called a gas powered cycle, and it is illegal to operate them on the road if they have not been registered, licensed and insured.
They look like a bicycle, but have a gas powered engine that can kick in to give the rider a break from pedaling. They can reach speeds up of to 70km/h, often the motors are sold as an add on kit for a bicycle.
Prince George RCMP Sergeant Al Steinhauser says around two dozen people in Prince George have learned the hard way about the regulations for these vehicles “If you are going to operate one of these vehicles, it must be registered, licensed and insured for on road use. The rider must also wear a helmet. We have already handed out violation tickets of $598.00 to those who have failed to have the vehicles registered licensed and insured.”
Sgt. Steinhauser says the riders have to have a valid driver’s license as well “We just want to make sure people are not under the mistaken impression that they can drive these vehicles on the road like any other bicycle. The rules are not the same when it comes to a bike with a combustion engine, and the fines are steep.”
These vehicles are not to be confused with electric motor assist cycles which do not require the same registration and licensing as long as the motor is electric, rated at 500 watts or less and cannot reach a speed higher than 32km/hour on level ground without pedaling.
Comments
Too many rules.
What about the father & daughter I saw last weekend riding a Vespa type scooter in college heights on the sidewalk? I have yet to see any police enforcer that or any bicycle laws. If motorist drove the way many cyclists ride, we would all be in jail.
Rules don’t make people who ignore them safer… so even when there are rules in place you’re still at risk of almost getting run over by one of these things.
I live in Vernon BC and there are a few of these gas engine powered bikes in the city. They use the multi-use pathways and I don’t see a problem with it. Some days I even wished I had one.
And here i thought you did not need anything for 50cc and less…moped. Learn something new everyday.
Whenever I see one of these things I figure the guy probably lost his license in an impaired charge anyway so how bright can he be?
But hey, I do like to stereotype ;)
Now thats funny
Note that they don’t clearly state what those rules are. As it is, it’s almost impossible to register one of these legally, whereas a electric with the exact same power and capabilities does not have this problem. A recent court case in Courtney was thrown out because the rider did everything possible to follow the rules but it was made impossible for him to follow.
If you are fined for riding these, fight it and bring these details: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Vancouver+Island+wins+court+battle+over+motorized+bicycle+tickets/6296114/story.html
The sheer number and complexity of laws in our society almost guarantee that every single citizen is probably breaking one or more every day.
You see them buzzing around at night sometimes. No lights at all and no regard for any driving rules. I thought they were probably running drugs quickly and efficiently. Maybe they are.
Comments for this article are closed.