Motorized Vehicles on Bike Paths
Question
Joe asked: I have been doing some reading and it appears that gasoline assisted bicycles are not legally permitted to operate on a road, where as electrically propelled bikes (under 20mph) are. What about bike paths where not specifically marked otherwise? Can a gasoline assisted bicycle be operated on a bike path? If its under a given engine power? Or are electric assisted bicycles my only option?
Answer
With a few exceptions stated in the statutes, only human powered vehicle may be used on bike paths.
s. 316.1995 – Driving upon Sidewalk or Bicycle Path
(1) …. a person may not drive any vehicle other than by human power upon a bicycle path, sidewalk, or sidewalk area, except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.
If it is gas powered, without a registration and license it is not allow on a path, sidewalk or the road. Some who have lost their license have put engines on a bike and have been cited by the police for driving without a license and having an unregistered vehicle on the road. My younger brother was issued a ticket for being in the road on rollerskates.