Operation of Motorized Bicycles in the City of Tucson
Sat Sep 8 2007
In September 2006, the Tucson City Council adopted an ordinance regarding the operation of motorized bicycles within the city limits.
In September 2006, the Tucson City Council adopted an ordinance
regarding the operation of motorized bicycles within the
city limits.
Operators of motorized bicycles and other
vehicles remain responsible for ensuring their own
safety and being in compliance with all laws affecting
traffic movement on public roadways.
What is a
motorized bicycle?
Arizona State law, Title 28, defines motorized electric or gas powered bicycles or tricycles as a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with a helper motor that has a maximum piston displacement of 48 cubic centimeters or less, or an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 hp), that may also be self-propelled and that is operated at speeds of less than twenty miles per hour.
If you exceed 20 mph you are no longer covered under this exemption – this means you will be treated as a moped and subject to license, registration, insurance and other operational conditions and will be subject to a citation(s) by the
Police Department and your vehicle could be towed under the mandatory impound law.
What are the
requirements for operation of motorized bicycles in Tucson?
• No vehicle title, registration, insurance, emissions or driver license required as long as the motorized bicycle operates in compliance with the above definition
(operated at less than 20 mph).
• An operator must be
at least 16 years old to drive a motorized bicycle in the city limits. Operators and passengers under the age of 18 are required to wear a certified helmet.
• Motorized bicycles may be ridden in rights-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles (bike paths) as long as the motorized bicycle operates in compliance with the speed restrictions.
They cannot be operated on any public sidewalk, multi-use path, and shared-use path or on any designated pedestrian path in any public park. In addition, they may not be ridden through any underpass or at any other location where signs are posted prohibiting bicycling.
• A motorized bicycle may not carry more persons at a time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
•
If used at nighttime, you must have a lamp on the front that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet and a red reflector in the rear visible 50 feet in all directions and 300 feet to the rear. A motorized bicycle may have a lamp that emits a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear in addition to the red reflector.
Violations of this Tucson City Code are a civil traffic violation punishable by a mandatory minimum fine of one hundred
dollars ($100) in addition to any other fines and penalties.
RE: Operation of Motorized Bicycles in the City of Tucson Rating: 5.00 out of 10
Mon. Jun 2, 2008 8: 09 pm
i have rode my motorized bike behind non motorized bicycles many times and watching my speedometer many cyclists often push 30 mph but they are never punished. i think either lawmakers are out of touch with the capability of modern bicycles or found this an opportunity to create yet another form of taxation. with gas prices being what they are the suppession of this highly efficient form of trasportation is borderline criminal.and many cops have no idea of the exemption motorized bikes have and think your an easy ticket, trying to tell me they are illegal in city limits period. it gets old. I WAS AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING I KNOW!!!!
RE: Operation of Motorized Bicycles in the City of Tucson Rating: 5.00 out of 10
Thu Nov 22 2007 3: 07 am
leave it to a lawmaker to think like an idiot. putting a poor person who wants to get around in front of tons of steel going ,say, 40 mph. on a bicycle that is capable of 40 mph. but by law must hold back to 20 mph.
excuse me for not having brain atrophy.but would'nt this be really stupid?
i am inclined to look at things from every angle i can and also reason.
if i was forced to ride my 40 mph bicycle at 20 mph .in a 40 mph zone.if i was killed; would the lawmakers responsible for putting me in a rediculous position,which led to my death be held accountable for murder? probably not.i believe that allot of laws are just not thought out right.brain atrophy is a possibility huh?LEGALIZE FREEDOM!!
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