Low powered motor bikes and the law

There are a lot of legal similarities between motor bikes equipped with a 50cc or less engine (moped or scooter) and a bicycle.

Similarities:
When traveling the speed limit or keeping up with the flow of traffic you are allowed full use of the roadway, typically the safe riding position is center of the lane. (See slow moving vehicle note)

If traveling slower then the above and if:
The road surface continues to include a shoulder or bike lane then we are required to ride there unless an exception applies (making a left turn, hazard, etc.) (See Bike lane note.)

When a lane is too narrow for car and bike to share safely side by side (less then 14 feet wide) the typical safe riding position is in the right hand tire track in the right most through lane.

Otherwise stick to the right most portion of the roadway with a typical safe riding position approximately 2 feet from the curb.

Both are prohibited from using roadways of a speed limit greater then 50mph but can travel the shoulder unless prohibited.

Dissimilarities:
A scooter cannot ride on trails (motor vehicles prohibited) and side paths (wide sidewalks designated for multi-use.)

You cannot take a scooter on mass transit. Notes:
Slow moving vehicle: MD

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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There seems to be some confusion on whether or not scooters and the like need to be registered in Baltimore City. And as far as I can tell they do not need to be registered but you can sort of see how the myth got started by the confusing way Baltimore City wrote their ordinance. It might be advisable to print out the following laws and carry them with you on the scooter.

(d) Motorcycle or similar vehicle.
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