First poll here in the eMopeds sub

[Smaug]

Let's say you have a heavy eMoped. It has pedals that are functional.

Hmm, too bad there's no poll option here. We'll have to do it the old-fashioned way:

Would you rather it be geared:
A) low, so that you can limp home in case you run out of juice? or
B) high, so you can pedal at speed and help the motor out a bit? or
C) Have a range of speeds through a rear cassette, so you can do a bit of both? or
D) Who cares? Give it short cranks and a high gear ratio, since it is obviously for "riding the loophole" only

 

[Anton]

Poll options added above! (My bad, when I was creating the eMoped forum I forgot to check the "Poll" option.)

 

[Tacticooldennis]

My bike is pretty heavy, but only has one gear, most of the custom stealth bikes I see either have a default-sized "Prowheel" 48 tooth sprocket. or some time of fancy 34T sprocket anodized in the their favorite color (usually red).

 

[m@Robertson]

Here in California if it has footpegs and is electrically powered its perfectly legal as a moped. Getting the license plate and insurance is dirt cheap. Just say no to vestigial pedals

 

[Smaug]

Here in California if it has footpegs and is electrically powered its perfectly legal as a moped. Getting the license plate and insurance is dirt cheap. Just say no to vestigial pedals

Then, you're allowed 4 hp instead of 1, and no speed limit. That lack of a speed limit is a huge loophole in CA... No insurance requirement and the license is a one-time thing. That is VERY uncharacteristic of CA, in my experience!

Motorcycles, Mopeds, and Scooters - California DMV

Learn the differences between mopeds, motorcycles and scooters, including age restrictions, registration requirements, and safety guidelines.

www.dmv.ca.gov

 

[m@Robertson]

Then, you're allowed 4 hp instead of 1, and no speed limit. That lack of a speed limit is a huge loophole in CA... No insurance requirement and the license is a one-time thing. That is VERY uncharacteristic of CA, in my experience!

Motorcycles, Mopeds, and Scooters - California DMV

Learn the differences between mopeds, motorcycles and scooters, including age restrictions, registration requirements, and safety guidelines.

www.dmv.ca.gov

It doesn't say it on the page you linked, but mopeds cannot exceed 30 mph in CA. Which is stupid. Because California.

California Moped Laws

If you are wondering about moped laws in California, including license requirements, helmet laws, and where you can ride - keep reading.

www.damfirm.com

 

[Tacticooldennis]

I think it's taking longer for the laws to catch up to the e-bikes out there. Take my bike, for example, kits go from 1000w to 16kw hub motors, all same frame. No stickers, no indications. No one is going to know what's under the hood. Cali is in the renaissance period for bikes, wanting more electric vehicles to replace gas ones. but the laws catch up eventually. Just like when the first electric cars took off, Cali gave EV's the carpool lane. but that isn't the case anymore. Enjoy it while you can.

 

[Smaug]

It doesn't say it on the page you linked, but mopeds cannot exceed 30 mph in CA. Which is stupid. Because California.

California Moped Laws

If you are wondering about moped laws in California, including license requirements, helmet laws, and where you can ride - keep reading.

www.damfirm.com

That page is four years old now, not sure it’s still up to date. I think CA revamped its laws this year already.

 

[biknut]

I want to be able to pedal home is a power loss situation, and have had to do that a few times. My bike weighs 120 lbs, and has 9 pedal speeds, but only the bottom 3 are low enough to use without power. The top 2 are tall enough to pedal up to about 35 mph. The middle 4 are basically useless, because I'm usually going to fast to use them. That being said, I almost never pedal anymore.

 

[m@Robertson]

That page is four years old now, not sure it’s still up to date. I think CA revamped its laws this year already.

I went straight to the source. This is the CA current Vehicle Code section 406(a) which governs mopeds. 4 hp and 30 mph.

Law section