State Legislative Update

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State Legislative Update

Postby CapitalCycle » Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:20 pm

This is the first of many posts and will improve over time hopefully, thank you for bearing with me

Maryland

House Bill 1167 - LAW
Defines motorized passenger scooter
Allows licensed operator to operate motorized passenger scooter on local hwys. & state hwys.
designated as bicycle ways in Ocean City, MD. Defines “motorized passenger scooter” as nonpedal vehicle with
cockpit & seat for operator & passenger; 3 wheels of which one is 10” or more in diameter; has motor with rating
of 2.7 brake hp or less or if motor is internal combustion engine with capacity of 50 cc piston displacement or
less; & equipped with automatic transmission. Excludes vehicle that has been mfrd. for off-road use, including
motorcycles & ATVs.
4/4/11 Passed House
4/11/11 Passed Senate
5/10/11 Approved by Governor

Senate Bill 306 - LAW
Defines motorized passenger scooter
Allows licensed operator to operate motorized passenger scooter on local hwys. & state hwys.
designated as bicycle ways in Ocean City, MD. Defines “motorized passenger scooter” as nonpedal vehicle with
cockpit & seat for operator & passenger; 3 wheels of which one is 10” or more in diameter; has motor with rating
of 2.7 brake hp or less or if motor is internal combustion engine with capacity of 50 cc piston displacement or
less; & equipped with automatic transmission. Excludes vehicle that has been mfrd. for off-road use, including
motorcycles & ATVs.
3/24/11 Passed Senate
4/4/11 Passed House
5/10/11 Approved by Governor

House Bill 685 - Failed to Pass
Requires motorcycle to be inspected & insured prior to registration.
Requires motorcycle to be inspected & insured prior to registration. Requires registration & inspection to take
place during same month.

House Bill 250 - Failed to Pass
Requires motor scooter & moped riders under 18 to wear helmets
Requires motor scooter & moped operators & passengers under age 18 to wear helmets. [Currently no helmet
rqmt. for motor scooter or moped riders.]

House Bill 274 - Failed to Pass
Requires helmets for rental motor scooters & mopeds
Requires person who rents motor scooters or mopeds to provide operator & any rider with helmets that meet
standards established by Administrator.

House Bill 961 - Failed to Pass
Requires motor scooter registration; exempts from inspection
Amends motor vehicle definition to include motor scooters. Requires motor scooters to be registered as Class S
vehicles; registration fee: $35/yr. Exempts motor scooters from inspection requirement. [Motor scooter: no pedals;
2 wheels, one of which is more than 10” in diameter; 2.7 bhp or less; 50 cc or less; automatic transmission.]

House Bill 1282 - LAW
Requires certain parking facilities to allow motorcycles
Requires vehicle parking facilities owned, operated or leased by MD or political subdivision of MD or facilities
that receives funding from MD or political subdivision of MD to allow motorcycles to park in facilities, subject to
certain charges.
3/25/11 Passed House
4/11/11 Passed Senate
5/10/11 Approved by Governor

Senate Bill 708 - Failed to Pass
Requires moped/motor scooter registration; helmet/eye protection
Amended. Amends motor vehicle definition to include mopeds & motor scooters. Requires mopeds & motor
scooters to be registered as Class S vehicles; registration fee: $35/yr. Requires helmets & eye protection or
windscreen for moped & motor scooter operators & passengers. Exempts mopeds & motor scooters from
inspection requirement. Provides that in case of mopeds & motor scooters, insurer may exclude economic loss
benefits or offer economic loss benefits with deductibles, options or specific exclusions (same as currently
allowed for motorcycles). [Motor scooter: no pedals; 2 wheels, one of which is more than 10” in diameter; 2.7 bhp
or less; 50 cc or less; automatic transmission. Motorized bicycle/moped: pedals; 2 or 3 wheels, of which one is
more than 14” in diameter; 1.5 bhp or less; 50 cc or less.]


Virginia

House Bill 1618 - Failed to Pass
Allows city govt. to prohibit moped operation on hwys. with speed limit above 45 mph. [Moped: seat no less than
24" in height; less than 50 cc; pedals not required.]

House Bill 2374 - LAW
Amends moped definition to provide that moped is a motorcycle when operated over 35 mph. [Current moped
definition: seat no less than 24" in height; less than 50 cc; pedals not required.]
2/1/11 Passed House
2/15/11 Passed Senate
3/15/11 Approved by Governor

Senate Bill 740 - Failed to Pass
Allows Dept. of Transportation to close certain bridges, as specified, to use by motorcycles & mopeds during
periods of high wind, determined by National Weather Service.

Status: Withdrawn from further consideration in Senate

Senate Bill 1086 - Failed to Pass
Excludes electric vehicles from motor vehicle sales & use tax
Excludes qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles from motor vehicle sales & use tax. Exemption may be claimed
for 1 qualified plug-in electric drive vehicle per individual & 10 per business. Defines qualified plug-in electric
vehicle: 1) made by mfr. & mfrd. for use on public streets, roads & hwys.; 2) 4 tires; 3) has not been modified
from original mfr. specifications; 4) acquired for use & not for resale; 5) rated at 8,500 lbs. unloaded gross vehicle
weight or less; 6) maximum speed capability of 55 mph; 7) propelled to significant extent by electric motor that
draws electricity from battery, which has capacity of not less than 4 kilowatt hrs. & capable of being recharged
from external source of electricity. Also exempts any vehicle titled in name of automotive mfr. having
headquarters in VA from tax & retail sales & use tax
2/7/11 Passed Senate
2/14/11 Failed to pass House

House Bill 1764 - Failed to Pass
Requires moped operators & passengers to wear approved helmet
Requires moped operators & passengers to wear approved helmets. [Under current law, local jurisdictions may,
by ordinance, require moped operators & passengers to wear approved helmets. Moped: seat no less than 24" in
height; less than 50 cc; pedals not required.]

House Bill 1850 - Failed to Pass
Prohibits passengers under age 8

House Bill 1981 - LAW
Permits travel through red light under certain circumstances
Amended. Allows operator of motorcycle or moped approaching intersection controlled by traffic light to proceed
through intersection on steady red light if operator comes to full & complete stop at intersection for 2 complete
cycles of traffic light or for 2 minutes, whichever shorter; exercises due care; otherwise treats traffic control
device as stop sign; determines it is safe to proceed; & yields right of way to driver of any vehicle approaching
such other hwy. from either direction.
1/25/11 Passed House
2/22/11 Passed Senate
3/24/11 Approved by Governor
CapitalCycle
 

Re: State Legislative Update

Postby Chiba » Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:25 pm

Thanks for the update!


Virginia

House Bill 2374 - LAW
Amends moped definition to provide that moped is a motorcycle when operated over 35 mph. [Current moped
definition: seat no less than 24" in height; less than 50 cc; pedals not required.]
2/1/11 Passed House
2/15/11 Passed Senate
3/15/11 Approved by Governor

I guess that means we have to start waving at them - but only above 35 mph :D
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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby shelion » Wed Nov 09, 2011 2:14 pm

CapitalCycle wrote:
Maryland

House Bill 1167 - LAW
Defines motorized passenger scooter
Allows licensed operator to operate motorized passenger scooter on local hwys. & state hwys.
designated as bicycle ways in Ocean City, MD. Defines “motorized passenger scooter” as nonpedal vehicle with
cockpit & seat for operator & passenger; 3 wheels of which one is 10” or more in diameter; has motor with rating
of 2.7 brake hp or less or if motor is internal combustion engine with capacity of 50 cc piston displacement or
less; & equipped with automatic transmission. Excludes vehicle that has been mfrd. for off-road use, including
motorcycles & ATVs.
4/4/11 Passed House
4/11/11 Passed Senate
5/10/11 Approved by Governor


This surprises me a bit, especially since the state didn't also pass the laws mandating safety gear, especially for minors. For crap's sake, we have a bicycle helmet law for minors. I hope I start seeing them being pulled over and the cops running their licenses! :)
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back, so shake him off.

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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby adooley » Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:47 pm

shelion wrote:
CapitalCycle wrote:
Maryland

House Bill 1167 - LAW
Defines motorized passenger scooter
Allows licensed operator to operate motorized passenger scooter on local hwys. & state hwys.
designated as bicycle ways in Ocean City, MD. Defines “motorized passenger scooter” as nonpedal vehicle with
cockpit & seat for operator & passenger; 3 wheels of which one is 10” or more in diameter; has motor with rating
of 2.7 brake hp or less or if motor is internal combustion engine with capacity of 50 cc piston displacement or
less; & equipped with automatic transmission. Excludes vehicle that has been mfrd. for off-road use, including
motorcycles & ATVs.
4/4/11 Passed House
4/11/11 Passed Senate
5/10/11 Approved by Governor


This surprises me a bit, especially since the state didn't also pass the laws mandating safety gear, especially for minors. For crap's sake, we have a bicycle helmet law for minors. I hope I start seeing them being pulled over and the cops running their licenses! :)



I agree. Why should we be the only ones that have to buy cool safety gear that come with neat features and costs a lot. I say that joy should be shared/forced upon those whippersnappers called moped riders! :P
adooley
 

Re: State Legislative Update

Postby biometrics » Thu Nov 10, 2011 9:51 am

Does this:

Virginia

House Bill 2374 - LAW
Amends moped definition to provide that moped is a motorcycle when operated over 35 mph. [Current moped
definition: seat no less than 24" in height; less than 50 cc; pedals not required.]
2/1/11 Passed House
2/15/11 Passed Senate
3/15/11 Approved by Governor


Mean that if you own a less than 50cc scooter that will do more than 35 MPH, that you have to license it as a motorcycle? It sure looks that way to me?

I have had this one up to 55MPH on a long flat road...

-John
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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby shelion » Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:51 pm

biometrics wrote:Does this:

Virginia

House Bill 2374 - LAW
Amends moped definition to provide that moped is a motorcycle when operated over 35 mph. [Current moped
definition: seat no less than 24" in height; less than 50 cc; pedals not required.]
2/1/11 Passed House
2/15/11 Passed Senate
3/15/11 Approved by Governor


Mean that if you own a less than 50cc scooter that will do more than 35 MPH, that you have to license it as a motorcycle? It sure looks that way to me?


-John


I would read that as it's a motorcycle only when operated over 35 mph. So as long as you keep the speed down, it doesn't need to be licensed.

I do wonder about the reasoning behind that wording though. What are they trying to accomplish?
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back, so shake him off.

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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby guitardad » Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:34 pm

CapitalCycle wrote:This is the first of many posts and will improve over time hopefully, thank you for bearing with me

Maryland

House Bill 1167 - LAW
Defines motorized passenger scooter
Allows licensed operator to operate motorized passenger scooter on local hwys. & state hwys.
designated as bicycle ways in Ocean City, MD. Defines “motorized passenger scooter” as nonpedal vehicle with
cockpit & seat for operator & passenger; 3 wheels of which one is 10” or more in diameter; has motor with rating
of 2.7 brake hp or less or if motor is internal combustion engine with capacity of 50 cc piston displacement or
less; & equipped with automatic transmission. Excludes vehicle that has been mfrd. for off-road use, including
motorcycles & ATVs.
4/4/11 Passed House
4/11/11 Passed Senate
5/10/11 Approved by Governor


3 wheels? Anybody got a read on what sort of vehicle this is? Kinda reads like a Big Wheel with a weed-eater motor attached! :mrgreen:
Chaz
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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby biometrics » Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:57 am

There is a scooter dealer in Winchester that sells scooter "trikes" for those older folks (I'm ONLY 64) who can no longer balance two wheels, but still want to ride around on motorized transportation... They are cute, but not my cup of tea... at least not yet. I am still riding my R1100RT without too much of a problem... :oops:
50cc%20Trike%20Scooter-2.jpg
1983 R100 /T with Velorex Sidecar
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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby Flash! » Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:40 am

I've seriously considered a regular trike (not the scooter) when the time comes. Sure wish I'd started riding sooner. When you fall in love with riding at age 60, there just isn't that much more time to get out there and enjoy it. :( A trike could extend that considerably, I'm hoping, without the :oops: !

Jody
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skydive twice.


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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby jskene » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:57 am

Maybe you'll be riding a Harley someday:

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/ ... plication/

Looks like they are anticipating their customers moving in this direction also.
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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby Chiba » Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:47 pm

Flash! wrote:I've seriously considered a regular trike (not the scooter) when the time comes. Sure wish I'd started riding sooner. When you fall in love with riding at age 60, there just isn't that much more time to get out there and enjoy it. :( A trike could extend that considerably, I'm hoping, without the :oops: !

Wouldn't be that hard to hang a sidecar off your bike :)
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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby guitardad » Sat Dec 17, 2011 8:56 pm

Well, I stand corrected! The smallest trike I've seen up till now was the GZ250 trike in the S/TEP class I took last summer. I have to say, if I wanted to go to three wheels, I think my first choice would be a sidecar rig, followed closely by a Can-Am Spyder. Had a BRC student who let me ride her Spyder after the class - it was a hoot!
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'16 S1000XR "Raquel" - Red, the "energetic and quick-thinking" color
'79 R65 "Hans" - Red also ( I sense a pattern!)
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Re: State Legislative Update

Postby henwin » Sat Dec 24, 2011 12:55 pm

shelion wrote:
CapitalCycle wrote:
Maryland

House Bill 1167 - LAW
Defines motorized passenger scooter
Allows licensed operator to operate motorized passenger scooter on local hwys. & state hwys.
designated as bicycle ways in Ocean City, MD. Defines “motorized passenger scooter” as nonpedal vehicle with
cockpit & seat for operator & passenger; 3 wheels of which one is 10” or more in diameter; has motor with rating
of 2.7 brake hp or less or if motor is internal combustion engine with capacity of 50 cc piston displacement or
less; & equipped with automatic transmission. Excludes vehicle that has been mfrd. for off-road use, including
motorcycles & ATVs.
4/4/11 Passed House
4/11/11 Passed Senate
5/10/11 Approved by Governor


This surprises me a bit, especially since the state didn't also pass the laws mandating safety gear, especially for minors. For crap's sake, we have a bicycle helmet law for minors. I hope I start seeing them being pulled over and the cops running their licenses! :)


Not likely. Most police departments in MD won't enforce the helmet law. Why should they bother with this?
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