Age to Operate a Motorized Bicycle

Question

Evan asked: There is a moped that is legally classified as an electric bicycle because it has pedals and runs on electricity.

I am a minor and am wondering if I can drive it under the age of 16 in a bike lane? (Not on a highway, of course)

Answer

No one under 16 years of age can legally operate a motorized bicycle.

s. 316.003 – Definitions

(2) Bicycle –Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. No person under the age of 16 may operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle.

Also, you should be aware that the vehicle in question may not be a motorized bicycle, depending on the power of the motor. It could be a moped, which requires registration and a driver’s license. See the definition above and this post.

http://flbikelaw.org/2011/06/mopeds-3/

Also, the word “highway” has a statutory definition that includes a bike lane, which is part of the roadway, the sidewalk and the rest of the area to the property boundary.

(53) Street or Highway

(a) The entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic ….

1 Comment on “Age to Operate a Motorized Bicycle

  1. NO ONE UNDER 16 MAY OPERATE A MOTORIZED BICYCLE? WHAT ABOUT A POWER WHEELS ELECTRIC TRIKE OR POWER WHEELS ELECTRIC HARLEY FOR A 5 YEAR OLD CHILD? ARE CHILDREN BREAKING THE LAW THROUGH OUT FLORIDA FOR NOT HAVING A MOTROIZED BIKE, TRIKE OR VEHICLE LICENSE FOR THESE ELECTIRC MOTORIZED VEHICLES? THEY ARE CLEARLY BREAKING THE LAW AND SHOULD BE FINED JUST AS ANY ADULT RIDING A MOTORIZED BIKE, TRIKE OR VEHICLE WHO DOESN’T HAVE A LICENSE. MAYBE IT’S TIME FOR CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR EXCESSIVE REGULATION OF MOTORIZED BIKES? IF PEOPLE 12, 15, 16, 20, 30, 40 AND 50 YEARS OLD HAVE TO PAY FINES SO SHOULD PEOPLE WHO ARE 2, 3, 4, AND 5 YEARS OLD HAVE TO PAY THE SAME PENALTY. AND NO THE PARENTS SHOULD NOT BE PUNISHED FOR CHILDREN WHO BREAK THE LAW. CHILDREN ARE DIRVERS TO AND THEY OUGHT TO BE LICENSED LIKE FLORIDA’S MESSED UP OVER-REGULATION OF MOTORIZED BIKES AND TRIKES SUGGESTS. NOTE THE SARCASM, BUT THE TRUTH OF HOW STUPID THE LAWS ARE CONCERNING MOTORIZED BIKES AND TRIKES. LET PEOPLE TRAVEL FREELY, OVER-REGULATION DOES NOT MAKE LIFE SAFER. FRUSTRATED PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO WRONG THAN FREE AND HAPPY PEOPLE. BUT HAY, IT’S MARTIAL LAW HERE, OVER-REGULATION IS THE SIFFILING OF TRUE FREEDOM. NO RIGHT TO TRAVEL, NO RIGHT TO BIKE AND NO RIGHT TO GO WHERE YOU PLEASE, AT LEAST NOT WITHOUT PENALTY AND THREAT OF YOUR FREEDOM BEING TAKING AWAY AND JAIL TIME FOR VIOLATING THESE USELESS STATE-CORPORATE POLICIES/”LAWS”
    JUST SAYIN, A LOT OF TODDLERS GONE FIND THEMSELVES LOCKED UP BEFORE KINDERGARTEN WITH THESE BOGUS REGUALTIONS AND FREEDOM-ROBBING “LAWS”.

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