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A motorized bicycle is a bicycle with an attached motor. Motorized bicycles include electric bicycles, mopeds and other types of bicycles.
History
People have been adding motors to bikes for over a hundred years. A bicycle with a small motor added used to be known as an "autocycle" or "cyclemotor". They eventually evolved into "mopeds", which are not strictly bicycles because they were never designed to be pedalled, although pedals were fitted to comply with regulations and to aid in starting. A modern electric bicycle is more true to the original concept of a pedal bicycle with assisted propulsion. As there are more calls for a cleaner enviornment, motorized bicycles are getting more acceptance, especially in Europe.
General legal status
Motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles are all considered vehicles. They are subject to the same rules of street traffic that also apply to automobiles and other vehicles. Generally, when in traffic, drivers of motorized bicycles must signal with their hands, stop at red lights and obey other traffic signals. In many jurisdictions, motorized bicycles must be liscensed and plated.
Environmental effects
One advantage of many motorized bicycles is that they have much lower emissions than conventional automobiles. Most electric bicycles can be classified as zero-emissions vehicles, which means that they do not emit many gases or anything else that could possibly pollute the enviornment. Motorized bicycles have engines but they are small and do not emit nearly as much as motors used on automobiles.
Types of motorized bicycles
Electric Bicycles
A electric bicycle is a bicycle that is fitted with pedals and an electric motor. Some electric bikes have features where the motor can move the bicycle by itself if the rider chooses not to pedal, while others require the rider to pedal at all times.
Electric bicycles are powered by electric motors that run on rechargeable batteries. Some experimental electric bicycles can charge their batteries via solar panels. Others have been able to recharge or run directly on fuel cells, gas generators or other alternative energy sources. Some experimenters have even used super capacitors to store energy. Using an on-board generator may impact the legal juristictional definition of an electric bicycle. A few types of electric bicycles are able to re-capture energy from braking and can re-charge the batteries while braking or travelling down hills (regenerative braking). With the advent of newer technology further features can be expected.
Names for electric bicycles
Electric bicycles are known by several different names:
- Power Assisted Bicycle (PAB) is the term used in Canada.
- Motor assisted bicycle (MOPED) is the term used in Ontario
- Power-assisted cycle is used in the United Kingdom.
- E-Bike is a trademark of EV Global Motors Company
Types of electric bikes
Electric bikes can be broken into two groups: power-on-demand, where the motor is activated by a handlebar mounted throttle, and pedelec, those where the electric motor is regulated by pedalling. Both are permitted in North America. Both types are considered Power Assisted Bicycles in Canada, as long as the motor is no more then 500 Watts (W) and the assisted speed is no greater than 32 kilometers per hour (km/h).
Since electric bicycles are primarily bicycles with a small auxillary motor, they have more in common with their ancestors the autocycle and cyclemotor than with later mopeds and motorcycles. They differ from autocycles and cyclemotors in that their motors are electric rather than gas-powered.
Laws affecting electric bicycles
Main article: electric bicycle lawsDifferent jurisdictions have widely varying laws that address electric bicycles. These laws sometimes conflict.
Motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds)
Main article: mopedA moped is a motorized two-wheeled vehicle subject to local speed regulations.
Other engines that may be used on motorized bicycles
See also
Classifications
- Electric vehicle
- Hybrid vehicle
- Low Speed Vehicle
- Battery electric vehicle
- High performance vehicle
- Motor vehicle
Other electric vehicles
Ways in which electric bicycles are used
- Emergency vehicle (some law enforcment agencies are using electric bicycles)
- Category:OC Transpo (Addition of the Rack and Roll program)
- Vehicle for hire (in China some electric bicycles)
Government and law
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108
- Vehicle registration plate
- Dutch vehicle registration plates
Sources
- Quebec Highway Safety Code, R.S.Q. c. C-24.2 Version as of August 09, 2005
- Ontario's Highway Traffic Act Version as of August 01, 2005
External links
- Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa
- Electric Bikes - site which reviews the designs and capabilities of electric bicycles
- Electric Bicycles, Scooters and Motorcycles - information on electric bicycle motors
- Croydon Cycling Campaign - Electric-Assist Cycles page describes pros and cons, and provides details and references for status under UK and European Union law.
- History of bicycles (including electric bicycles)
- Advice on cycling safety and legal concerns