What is a "Moped"?

Max Dunn — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:07:00 -0800

After my stop yesterday by the policeman who thought my electric Zapino scooter was a motorcycle and I shouldn’t be riding in the bike lane, I decided to try to find out more information about what California Motor Vehicle law says about this. I found this interesting “Motorized Bicycle Instruction/Application” from the DMV site that defines a “motorized bicycle” (also commonly known as a “moped”):

Having two or three wheels
Fully operative pedals or powered solely by electric power
Maximum speed of 30 MPH on level ground
Automatic transmission and a motor with less than 2 gross brake horsepower

The first two requirements are easily met, and for the third, Zap states that it can only go 30 MPH, but the Zapino actually can go a bit faster. Regarding the fourth point it does have an automatic transmission but the 3000 watt Zapino motor puts out about 4 HP, which exceeds the maximum 2 HP allowed for a motorized bicycle.

Based on this, the Zapino is close to being a motorized bicycle, but not quite since it has more power than is allowed. However, since most people want know the conversion between watts and HP, it is not obvious whether the Zapino is a motorized bicycle or not.

"What is a "Moped"?" by Ajit

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:41:41 -0800

I never knew this definition! I was just reading your post earlier! So technically, you are allowed on the bike lane, because it is a bicycle after all, not a motorcycle!

Eschew Obfuscation: What is a "Moped"?

What is a "Moped"?

"What is a "Moped"?" by Ajit