Electric Bicycles - Illegal in Pennsylvania!

December 18, 2007 on 6:45 pm | In Efficiency |

Folks, I thought when I opened MPG Motors we would at least be able to offer an electric scooter.

EgoVehicles (http://www.egovehicles.com) has two interesting electric scooters.

However, they have not registered as a vehicle manufacturer in Pennsylvania and consequently, as a licensed PA motorcycle dealership, we can’t sell their products. Nor, have we found another brand of electric scooters that has completed the required registrations in PA.

If you see one, please let us know!

Now electric scooters are different from electric bicycles. Electric scooters are not necessarily illegal in PA. They actually can be legal as long as a manufacturer of an DOT/EPA approved electric scooter completes the Pennsylvania State registration process. This vehicle would be registered in one of these categories as a motor vehicle in PA as defined in this document:

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-momo.pdf 

This covers, at a high level, mopeds, motor-driven cycles and motorcycles. These are the classes of vehicles we have sold here. We have sold the Whizzer (a moped) and many motor-driven cycles and motorcycles.

Our experience with building a hybrid electric bicycle in 2004 showed us that we have plenty of roads in this area where an electric bicycle would work.

An electric bicycle from a Federal perspective, when designed to operate within certain restrictions, is an electric bicycle and not a motor vehicle. This Public Law was signed in 2002 creating this rule

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=107_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ319.107

So, products like those offered by IZip (http://www.izipusa.com/) would seem to be allowed across the US. People that wouldn’t consider ever riding a scooter or motorcycle (they are out there!) might consider an E-Bike. States however, have the ability to further restrict the types of vehicles used on their roads and that is what occurs in Pennsylvania.

Some time ago, I approached Pennsylvania State Senator Greenleaf and in 2006 I asked my representative, Senator Chuck McIllhinney to get a reading on E-Bikes for us. I also later contacted Governor Rendell’s office. Both McIllhinney’s office and the state confirmed that E-Bikes are, in fact, currently illegal for us in Pennsylvania.

Remember, I like to ride big, fast motorcycles too! But in the middle of my town, Doylestown, you can’t go that fast and that is where an E-Bike makes a lot of sense. There are many towns with low speed roads just like Doylestown in SE Pennsylvania. Not that many people are riding scooters or motorcycles yet - we’re working on that! But, most people will use a car instead. When most people jump in cars to get from here to there - even when “there” is a mile away, it just clogs up the roads.

MPG Motors would like to see Pennsylvania law modified to allow electric bikes (E-Bikes). We have followed this about as far as we can for now but I would encourage anyone interested to contact their state representatives to move the ball forward. We know they work, we built one and tested it. But we’re not going to sell you one until we know you won’t get in trouble riding it!

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  1. Submitted to PA DEP Newsletter as editorial.

    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.

    Comment by James Wood — December 19, 2007 #

  2. What about the Vectrix ??

    ‘’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.'’

    Comment by obxbiker — January 16, 2008 #

  3. I actually talked with the country sales manager for Vectrix yesterday, we’re going to talk some more. It looks like a quality product. I’d be really excited if it cost a lot less but the price will probably come down quickly either from volume or competition.

    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.

    Comment by Administrator — January 16, 2008 #

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