<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">In a message dated 8/16/07 6:55:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time, tlettington@san.rr.com writes:<BR>
<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Tonight on Channel 10 News, a man was interviewed who is the first to <BR>
own a new all-electric scooter (read as motorcycle) that is freeway <BR>
legal and can reach a top speed of 60 mph. He claims in the <BR>
interview that he is legally allowed to operate his vehicle Bike Lanes.<BR>
<BR>
Could this possibly be true? The implications are astounding!!<BR>
<BR>
More research is required.<BR>
<BR>
- Tom</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
------<BR>
<BR>
Definitely not true:<BR>
<BR>
<A HREF="http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21209.htm">http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21209.htm</A><BR>
<BR>
"21209. (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207 except as follows: <BR>
(1) To park where parking is permitted. <BR>
(2) To enter or leave the roadway. <BR>
(3) To prepare for a turn within a distance of 200 feet from the intersection. <BR>
<BR>
( b) This section does not prohibit the use of a motorized bicycle in a bicycle lane, pursuant to Section 21207.5, at a speed no greater than is reasonable or prudent, having due regard for visibility, traffic conditions, and the condition of the roadway surface of the bicycle lane, and in a manner which does not endanger the safety of bicyclists. "<BR>
<BR>
This is the definition of a motorized bicycle:<BR>
<BR>
<A HREF="http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc406.htm">http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc406.htm</A><BR>
<BR>
"b) A "motorized bicycle" is also a device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the following requirements: <BR>
<BR>
(1) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts. <BR>
(2) Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on ground level. <BR>
3) Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour."<BR>
<BR>
-----<BR>
<BR>
Clearly a vehicle capable of 60mph is not a motorized bicycle and therefore it is illegal to operate in the bike lanes. <BR>
<BR>
It appears that mopeds and other underpowered two wheeled vehicles are not permitted in the bike lane, only motorized bicycles, at least that is what the DMV is saying. I was under the impression that they were legal.<BR>
<BR>
Jon<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</FONT><BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour</HTML>