In the long-gone days of my youth, it was legal to ride a moped along a designated cycle path; not a footpath. Can any of our BiB experts please tell me if this is still the case?
Reason I ask is this; my route to work takes me down a road which is OK for all traffic one way but is has the blue "cycle" sign t'other, along with a narrow track which physically deters cars.
We are downsizing to one car, and considering buying a scooter for me to commute on. Bottom line is, if I use the route described above it would save me a detour on the homeward route of about a mile and a half and also avoid a fast and busy dual carriageway.
I've done a search on this but advice seems a little ambiguous; some say you can't do it any more and others that provided it is a genuine moped it is still legal. I would be buying what is nowadays defined as a moped not a motorcycle, in fact I've considered one of those electric jobbies. If I cannot legally use this route I will probably buy a faster and more powerful commuter bike and go the long way round, but it'd be good to know for certain first.
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why don't you buy one of them power cycles ?
Down your neck of the woods last week, Newquay, Ffosdrasol, Cardigan, Amanford and the such like.
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I remember when mopeds had pedals you could pedal.
My Raleigh step-through was a bicycle if you stopped the engine.
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Higway code: tinyurl.com/yc9t3uc
Says: Route to be used by pedal cycles only
A moped ain't no pedal cycle!
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I could be wrong but is a moped not 49.9 cc?I remember as a lad in holland we could use dedicated cycle paths.Cant see why this is not the case in the uk.
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Dutchie,
If it was a 49cc Batavus of that era with pedals, or one of those FWD Solexes the French had I don't think there would be a problem then or now. How big or rapid is a modern moped?
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You could be wright they a problaby faster these days funny you mentioned batavus i had one heavy and slow .Step up for me was a puch knocked a hole in the exhaust and went a lot quiker after that a kreidler moped excellent roadholding.Long time ago racing in rotterdam.
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Ahhh, Kreidler. Screaming round the Isle of Man while the heavy metal was resting. Long, long ago...
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I remember when mopeds had pedals you could pedal.
I remember autocycles used to have pedals.
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Pug, you probably went past my door; you should have contacted me, you'd be more than welcome to call in for a brew!
Nice biking country isn't it; and so far relatively untainted by "power rangers" unlike the Aberystwyth/Newtown area.
Regarding the "power cycles"; my view ha always been (with apologies to Bromptonaut et al) that the Good Lord caused the internal combustion engine to be created so that the likes of me didn't have to pedal pushbikes! There's a relatively steep hill on the route home so that's why I am considering a moped.
Tom, that is precisely the "grey area" I'm trying to clear up; years ago mopeds could use those lanes but I want to be sure if that is still the case.
Edited by Harleyman on 28/09/2009 at 22:15
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Again, highway code link: tinyurl.com/ydw2xfy
A moped MUST have an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc, not weigh more than 250 kg and be designed to have a maximum speed not exceeding 31 mph (50 km/h). From June 2003 all EC Type Approved mopeds have been restricted to 28 mph (45 km/h).
My italics.
I think it's quite clear. A pedal cycle is just that, a moped is a motor vehicle.
However, an electric bike is probably a pedal cycle, although restricted to 12MPH and not requiring a licence IIRC.
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I think it's quite clear. A pedal cycle is just that a moped is a motor vehicle.
That I don't dispute of course, it would be foolish to argue the point. I am, however, curious to know whether the "loophole" regrding using mopeds on designated cycle paths had been closed by previous legislation, hence my request for BiB opinion.
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Have you asked your local Council? They are the ones that marked the things out afterall!
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Harleyman, how far is your commute to work? If it's only a couple of miles or so, I'd be very tempted to get an electric bike. The regular use should ensure that you get best value from the machine/batteries and it'll cost peanuts to run. I've never tried one, but owners who I've talked to think that they are wonderful.
I like the idea of not having to get completely togged up with leathers, full-face etc etc before setting off and not having to worry about MoT/tax/sorn and all that rubbish.
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Electric bikes are great.
On most of them you can pedal normally, but if you get tired, or there's a headwind, or a steep hill, you can dial up variable amounts of assistance.
On some of them you can dial the other way, and recharge the battery as you go downhill.
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I tried one for a few miles. It was OK actually - less hassle than that pedaling melarky
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I like the idea of not having to get completely togged up with leathers full-face etc etc before setting off and not having to worry about MoT/tax/sorn and all that rubbish.
That did appeal to me as well. Being a lorry driver I have one of those hi-viz padded coats which should provide adequate protection, but given that I have the hill mentioned above I don't want to sweat to death and end up at work out of breath either so no pedalling at all thank you. Please don't give me the health benefits nonsense, I earn my living delivering 25kg bags of animal feed, much of it by hand so I get plenty of exercise !
Just put a bid on a 250 Honda on e-bay, so we'll see how that goes.
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Thinking back, I've a vague recollection of seeing 'cycles and mopeds only' signs, perhaps thirty years or more ago?
The advent of FS1Es (capable of nearly 50MPH?) and their ilk probably convinced the authorities to ban them from sharing cycle lanes.
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Was it a moped?
Mopeds, common on the continent, have pedals to assist the feeble engine to go up hills.
Motor Scooters such as Lambrettas have foot boards, no pedals.
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This is the clarification I'm seeking. As most of you will know the moped laws were changed around 1978 restricting such bikes to 30 mph but removing the need for pedal assistance; however they were still legally termed mopeds and could be ridden at age 16.
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www.dmv.ca.gov/motorcycles/motorcycles.htm
(USA definitions)
EDIT: I'd already scrolled down so missed the hint 'California Department of Motor Vehicles' at the top :-)
Edited by Focus {P} on 01/10/2009 at 11:06
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That definition doesn't apply in the UK, as my old Fz50 had no pedals, was powered by a petrol engine (not electric) and was still classified as a Moped... IC powered mopeds in this country are surely ones that have a 49cc or less engine, limited to 50kph (31mph) and can or can't have pedals... surely?!
(Beat me to it, Focus!)
Edited by b308 on 01/10/2009 at 11:06
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From www.cub90.co.uk/cbtlicencelearne.html
Moped licence
A moped is defined as a vehicle that must not exceed 30mph, weigh more than 250kg or have an engine over 50cc. The definition for machines registered before 1 September 1977, also includes its propulsion by pedals. You can ride a moped at 16 years old on a provisional motorcycle licence with moped entitlement. You must complete CBT (compulsory basic training), the theory test and the practical moped test to get a full moped licence.
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Electric bikes: www.powacycle.co.uk/Are-electric-bikes-legal.asp
Electrically assisted bicycles are Road Legal in the UK provided:
- The electric cycle weighs 40kg or less
- The motor rating is not over 200 watts continuous power output
- Powered speed does not exceed 15mph
- The cycle has working pedals
- Riders are aged 14 or over
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