Thoughts on Motorized Bicycles?

For the second time this week I have been passed (more like buzzed) by a motorized bicycle, using the bike lane, but obviously utilizing a gas engine of some sort.  I can't get up to the 30MPH that this so-called "bicycle" is doing so I tend to end up breathing in some nasty and noxious fumes as it passes by. 

Please let me clarify- this is a bicycle with what appeared to be small gas engine put on after-market (it had what looked like a little gas tank strapped to the back rack). I have seen this particular one several times and it makes me wonder- are these things considered true bicycles and are they supposed to be using the bike lanes, with regular bikes that are mainly people powered? 

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Permalink Reply by Jared on January 6, 2012 at 9:58am

Isn't it more of a moped?

Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on January 6, 2012 at 10:05am

Yeah, those are the nasty 2 stroke motors than burn oil and gas. They pollute more than a car. It's quite the popular ride mounted on beach cruisers around Humboldt Park.

Common sense would dictate that they should not ride (or at the very least ride at the same speed of a human-powered bike) on bike lanes when there are cyclists using them. But YOU know :/.

In Illinois, anything motor under 48cc (correct me if I'm wrong) is NOT considered a motor vehicle. There's no registration, sticker and taxes required. Quite a nice loophole considering you're basically riding a small powered motorcycle. Therefore, you probably won't see them being issued tickets for riding on the bike lane, as stupid as that may sound.

The best option for mounting a motor on a bicycle is with a 4 stroke motor kit, MUCH less polluting (oil and gas are separately added to different compartments), and efficient as well. Best way to ditch state and city taxes. You can turn it off and pedal, or use hybrid power (gas + human) to ride farther distances, or just gas if you're too lazy to pedal. It's quite a nice idea in my opinion.

Still, you should behave like a moped and not a bike if the motor is on ;).

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on January 6, 2012 at 10:21am

 I am pretty sure that most mopeds and scooters require a license, at least the ones that are actually sold as mopeds- these are just regular bicycles with some form of crappy engine stuck on them. I guess you just need a regular driver's license, though, which makes me wonder if that would disqualify them from the bike lanes? 

I tried looking it up and Jared is right- it would be classified as a moped:

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd...

Moped Operators — Mopeds are low-speed, two-wheeled vehicles.
They can be pedaled like a bicycle or driven like a motorcycle.
Mopeds are intended for limited use on public roadways. Moped
drivers must carry a valid driver’s license and obey all signs, signals
and traffic laws. If the moped meets all four criteria listed on page 46,
the moped operator is not required to obtain a motor-driven cycle
classification.

• A moped is a motor-driven cycle with speeds attainable in one mile
of between 20 mph and 30 mph.
• Equipped with a motor that produces 2 brake horsepower or less.
• If an internal combustion engine is used, the displacement shall
not exceed 50cc.
• Power drive system does not require the operator to shift gears.
All four criteria must be met, otherwise it is a motor-driven cycle and
a Class L is required.
A moped may be operated with any current, valid driver’s license of any
classification.

I still hate them. They stink and sometimes freak me out by buzzing past me in the bike lanes.


Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on January 6, 2012 at 10:26am

Like I said, not considered a moped if it's under 48cc AND going less than 30mph. No license required.

Permalink Reply by igz on January 6, 2012 at 10:40am

would the frustration still stand for electric bikes?

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on January 6, 2012 at 10:41am

If the electric bike spewed out nasty black exhaust smoke, it would. Of course, if the electric bike almost hit me while passing, it would as well :) 

iggi said:

would the frustration still stand for electric bikes?

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 6, 2012 at 10:47am

+1

Melanie said:

If the electric bike spewed out nasty black exhaust smoke, it would. Of course, if the electric bike almost hit me while passing, it would as well :) 

iggi said:

would the frustration still stand for electric bikes?

Permalink Reply by sten on January 6, 2012 at 10:59am

I had a great experience this summer where some dude was cruising the LFT on one of these things. Cops on bikes pulled him over, made him turn off the engine and then pedal back to his car to get off the trail.

These things totally don't belong on the LFT, they're noisy and dirty, and they go much too fast for traffic on the trail.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 6, 2012 at 11:16am

They are commonly called Whizzers and named after the original manufacturer of engines for bicycles back in the 40's.  The original engines and bikes are quite collectable; they were well built 4 stroke engines and reasonably efficient and clean for their day.  Old school Whizzers are neat pieces of history avidly collected by bicycle, motorcycle and hot rod enthusiasts.

The buzzing shit piles you see on the road today are built from kits that come with horrible Chinese two strokes that have zero emission regulations and are some of the dirtiest motors produced today.  The conversions are usually done by people with poor mechanical skills and a less than wonderful understanding of how anything works.  They are loud smoking chunks of over weight/under bakes shit clogging our bike lines.

Whizzers are the only thing I will refuse to work on at the bike shop.

Permalink Reply by mindfrieze on January 6, 2012 at 11:16am

Basically, if it has a motor, it isn't a bicycle by definition in Chicago.  Rather it's a vehicle, which is prohibited from driving, standing, or parking in a bike lane...in Chicago.

 

This would technically apply to anything propelled by a motor - electric bike, gas-powered bike, Segway, etc.

 

From the Municipal Code of Chicago:

9-4-010 Definitions.

 “Bicycle” means every device propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels.

“Motor vehicle” means every vehicle which is propelled by a motor. 

“Vehicle” means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a street or highway, except motorized wheelchairs, devices moved solely by human power, devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks and snowmobiles, as defined in the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act of Illinois. 

 

9-40-060 Driving, standing or parking on bicycle paths or lanes prohibited.

 The driver of a vehicle shall not drive, unless entering or exiting a legal parking space, or stand, or park the vehicle upon any on-street path or lane designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles, or otherwise drive or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane. The driver of a vehicle shall not stand or park the vehicle upon any lane designated by pavement markings for the shared use of motor vehicles and bicycles, or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such lane. In addition to the fine provided in Section 9-4-025 of this Code, any vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be subject to an immediate tow and removal to a city vehicle pound or authorized garage.

 

Permalink Reply by Tim S on January 6, 2012 at 11:57am

There was a dude on one of these a few month ago doing CM. Really annoying.

Permalink Reply by Kevin K on January 6, 2012 at 6:07pm

These things are annoying and really don't belong on the trail. If it's just one or two I see per year not a huge deal, but let's hope this doesn't turn into a big trend.

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