Author Topic: North Carolina  (Read 4980 times)

Offline Tom Cole

  • Administrator
  • Jr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 97
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
North Carolina
« on: September 21, 2016, 06:20:09 pm »
North Carolina does not have a wiki listing

The only specific definition I can find is going to be controversial but it clearly defines a "motor-driven bicycle" as a motorcycle.  WHAT??? Read on...

Definition

Quote
§ 20-4.01.  Definitions.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply throughout this Chapter to the defined words and phrases and their cognates:

(27)      Passenger Vehicles. -

d.         Motorcycles. - Vehicles having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, including autocycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven bicycles, but excluding tractors and utility vehicles equipped with an additional form of device designed to transport property, three-wheeled vehicles while being used by law-enforcement agencies and mopeds as defined in subdivision d1 of this subsection.
d1.       Moped. - Defined in G.S. 105-164.3.

HOWEVER! you'll notice that Mopeds are excluded and are defined as stated above in G.S. 105-164.3 which further excludes mopeds from being "motor vehicles."

Quote
§ 105-164.3. Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Article:
(22) Moped. – A vehicle that has two or three wheels, no external shifting device,
and a motor that does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement
and cannot propel the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on a
level surface.
(23) Motor vehicle. – A vehicle that is designed primarily for use upon the
highways and is either self-propelled or propelled by a self-propelled
vehicle, but does not include:
a. A moped

But, notice the "no external shifting device?"  Does that exclude any ebike that has multiple sprockets and derailleurs?  Wow, this is getting tricky!  If you think you qualify as a moped, then click here and follow applicable moped laws.

What to do?  If you decide you do not qualify as a moped and want to ride an ebike in NC, you should probably follow the federal definition on roadways and follow the laws pertaining to the operation of a bicycle.  This site has a great detail of Important NC Traffic Laws Applicable to Bicyclists.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2016, 08:27:59 am by Tom Cole »


36V Amped rear gear motor on a 2016 700c Diamondback Trace
Wattcycles on  Facebook