As gasoline prices
hit new highs, people are finding creative ways to get around. These creative
approaches to personal transportation, however, are creating a thicket
of new challenges and problems, for motorcycle rider training organizations,
law enforcement and all who share the roadways.
Here is some clarification from Lori Bowman of ODOT:
"Some customers are beginning to come into DMV offices
attempting to title and register small, motorized two-wheeled vehicles,
most commonly called "mini-motorcycles" or "pocket bikes."
DMV has also received calls from law enforcement and from dealers wanting
to know if these vehicles can be legally operated on Oregon's roads.
These vehicles are manufactured with various engine sizes and speed capability.
Although vendors are telling customers they are "motorized assisted
scooters," they usually have a combustion engine larger than 35 cc
and travel faster than 24 MPH so would not fit the definition of a "motorized
assisted scooter."
Normally, they would be defined as a "moped" or a "motorcycle"
rather than as a "motor assisted scooter." However, these vehicles
are not manufactured to operate on the roads and are not equipped to meet
US DOT safety standards. Manufacturers of these vehicles do not provide
Manufacturer's Certificates of Origin or standardized 17-digit VINs.
Unless proof is provided to show these vehicles meet the US DOT equipment
and safety standards, they cannot be titled and registered and should
not be operated on roads or highways.
Proof would be a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin for
the vehicle, along with a federal standard sticker and a conforming 17-digit
VIN. If the customer or vehicle does not provide these, the vehicle cannot
be titled or registered. "Motor assisted scooters" are exempt
from title and registration by statute, so they cannot be titled or registered.
Many vendors that sell these vehicles are not licensed dealers. Some vendors
are simply telling the buyer they need to be at least 16, wear a bicycle
helmet, and use the bike lane when they operate the vehicle (no permit,
license or endorsement required), which is true for "motor assisted
scooters" but not the pocket bikes or mini-motorcycles. Law enforcement
is beginning to see these vehicles operated on Oregon roads and are beginning
to cite these vehicle operators.
Again, these vehicles were manufactured for off-road use only and cannot
be operated on Oregon's roads. DMV cannot advise customers regarding where
they may ride these vehicles (bike path, sidewalk, etc.). If a customer
has a question about where they may ride one of these vehicles, they should
contact their city or county to obtain information on specific ordinances
that may be in place regulating these vehicles.
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Pocket bike |
