Eco-Moto in Salt Lake is a Vectric dealer and I’m going to catch up with them and see how they are doing.

Thanks!

note: obxbiker hails from http://www.prideinwhatyouride.com/ a website and forum dedicated to cruisers like the Hyosung GV650, GV250 and others. Check it out! Good ppl.

‘’Newsday has reported that the 36,000 officer-strong NYPD will test four electric Vectrix scooters early next month.

The Vectrix vehicles are capable of a maximum speed of 60 mph, and traveling for 40 to 60 miles before requiring a recharge.'’

Despite a great deal of talk on the political front, initiatives extended years ago by the Federal Government and Legislature regarding steps that can be taken to promote energy conservation and reduce air pollution go unheeded at the state level. This failure may be laid at the feet of local legislators, but is also often due to failure on the part of numerous state agencies to coordinate efforts in a pro-active manner to seize opportunities opened up by action at the Federal level.

A specific example of this is US Public Law 107-319. Passed overwhelmingly by the House and unanimously by the Senate, This law transferred the jurisdiction for regulation of low power electric bicycles from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, declaring them to be, in the eyes of the Federal government, consumer products, not motor vehicles. The purpose of this was to encourage the states to amend their local laws to permit the use of these on public roads, or alternatively, to simple accept the new definition of electric bicycles as described in PL107-319 and cease to regulation them as motor vehicles.

The Federal law did not place restrictions on the form of electric bicycles. This was left for the market to evolve in response to technological development within the strict definitions laid out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 16CFR Part 1512, the section dealing with safety for vehicles of this type. In its explanation of the need for this legislation, Congress stated, “Electric bicycles are in use worldwide, with the market rapidly evolving over the last several years. Electric bicycles generate no pollution, are almost silent, and can greatly increase the recreational and transportation options for commuters.”

A number of major states, including California, Florida, and Texas, immediately acted on this opportunity, passing legislation to specifically permit the use of CPSC Compliant electric bicycles on state and municipal roadways. The New England States have generally accepted the Federal rules without passing new laws, choosing to simply harmonize with the Federal definition of electric bicycles as consumer products not subject to the departments of transportation in a manner other than as bicycles. Vermont was the first to do so in 2003.

The Middle Atlantic States, however, have essentially blocked the implementation of the Federal law, either by inaction or outright refusal to harmonize their laws in accordance with the stated will of Congress, continuing to regulate them as motor vehicles, despite the Federal intent, i.e.,

SEC. 38. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, low-speed electric bicycles are consumer products within the meaning of section 3(a)(1) and shall be subject to the Commission regulations published at section 1500.18(a)(12) and part 1512 of title 16, Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term `low-speed electric bicycle’ means 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.

The solution to reducing consumption of fossil fuels, thereby reducing pollution, cannot rely on a single initiative. It will be found in the sum total of all that can be undertaken.