Bicycle Licenses 2
Question
Louann asked: I have an electric bike that is 600 watts with pedals. I have no license and no registration for it. There is no VIN number. Are the Daytona Police correct in saying I need to have a license and registration?
Answer
Your electric bicycle appears meet the Florida statutory definition of “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.
Local authorities can regulate certain conditions related to bicycles. Please see the following link for information about licensing and registration.
There is other information about motorized bicycles at these links:
http://flbikelaw.org/2010/01/mopeds/
http://flbikelaw.org/2010/05/motorized-bicycles-2/
I recommend taking this information to your local police department and asking them about Daytona’s requirements.
What’s it’s top speed?
Are the pedals attached to the chain and allow you to propel the bicycle or just “for show”.
What kind of bicycle is it?
Were you riding on the sidewalk under motor power or in a bicycle lane or on the roadway outside of the bicycle lane when the officer stopped you?
Does it have a pedal assist function or is it throttle only?
Please give a little more information.