Electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes have become widely popular in recent years. This is due in part to the outrageous cost of gasoline and the fact that its price is likely to continue to rise as supplies dwindle. Another factor is that people are much more aware of the environment in general than they have been in years past, and going green has become all the rage. Unlike battery-powered vehicles, oil-based products tend to pollute the air we breathe and cause too much damage to the earth's surface when they are harvested.
Perhaps the best reason to move to electric vehicles is the fun factor. This view is certainly true for electric motorcycles, although the laws regarding their use on the street are very confusing, to say the least. There are many styles and models of electric motorcycles on the market today. Most tend to fall into one of the following three categories.
- Small electric motorcycles
Small electric motorcycles, also known as pocket bikes, look exactly the same as full-size motorcycles, but they are much smaller. The average height of an electric mini-scooter is about two feet and weighs a little over forty pounds. The rider usually rides on the bike with his back arched and his knees sticking out the sides of the machine. Even big kids tend to appear like giants on these small but powerful machines. Pocket rockets move very fast, especially for such small machines. In fact, some of these models can even travel at speeds of more than fifty miles per hour. When most people see a pocket rocket fly by, their first thought is that it looks very interesting. The second thought is usually how legal it is to ride that machine on the street.
As fun as it is to operate, many states have banned the use of pocket rockets in public places such as highways, alleys and even trails. This is because electric-based micro-scooters are usually not equipped with safety features such as horns, mirrors and turn signals. Most municipalities absolutely require this type of equipment in order for the vehicle to be considered road legal. In addition, electric pocket rockets cannot be registered or insured. Most states require registration and insurance in order for the vehicle to be considered road legal. The rule of thumb here is that small electric motorcycles can only be legally ridden on private property.
Full-size street legal electric motorcycles have certainly grown in popularity since they were first introduced many years ago. The industry has grown to the point where many makes and models rival their internal combustion engine counterparts. These recent innovations have resulted in a large number of riders who have made or are making the switch from gas power to electric.
To keep up with the demand for full-size and powerful electric motorcycles, most major bike manufacturers have begun producing models that run solely on electricity. Even Harley-Davidson plans to release an all-electric full-size motorcycle in the near future. With that said, full-size electric motorcycles are definitely street legal. Riders must abide by the exact same laws as owners of standard gasoline powered vehicles. Most states require motorcycle-specific permits, as well as bike registration and insurance.
- Small-engine electric motorcycles
The third category of electric motorcycles includes models that fall somewhere between pocket rockets and full-size electric bikes. Most states consider these bikes to be legal. In addition, the rider usually needs to be at least 16 years old and hold a motor vehicle license. The following requirements apply.
No driver shift required
Limited to a maximum of five (5) horsepower
Maximum speed of thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground.
Includes safety features such as horn, mirrors and turn signals
In summary, the purpose of this guide is to provide you with some basic information about the street-legal use of electric motorcycles. If you own or plan to purchase an electric motorcycle, it is best to consult your local motor vehicle registration office. This will allow you to properly understand the exact laws pertaining to your state or city.
