AB 499

This bill creates a new type of motor bicycle for purposes of the rules of the road.

Under current law, a motor bicycle is “a bicycle to which a power unit [that is]

not an integral part of the vehicle has been added to permit the vehicle to travel at

a speed of not more than 30 miles per hour with a 150-pound rider on a dry, level,

hard surface with no wind and having a seat for the operator” or “a 2-wheeled or

3-wheeled vehicle that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power

and an electric motor of less than 750 watts and that is capable, when powered solely

by the motor, of a maximum speed of less than 20 miles per hour with a 170-pound

rider on a dry, level, hard surface with no wind.” In general, a motor bicycle is subject

to the same rules of the road as other bicycles and an operator of a motor bicycle is

subject to the same requirements and is afforded the same privileges as operators of

other bicycles. An operator of a motor bicycle, however, must possess a valid

operator's license.

This bill creates a third type of motor bicycle that is the same as the second type,

except that the motor may be more powerful — less than 2,000 watts instead of less

than 750 watts. However, the vehicle qualifies as a motor bicycle for purposes of the

rules of the road only when operated by a person with a disability that limits or

impairs the ability to walk. Under the bill, authorization to operate such a bicycle

must be demonstrated by affixing a special decal issued by the Department of

Transportation to the motor bicycle and by carrying a special card issued by DOT.