When is a bike not a bike?
Dunedin man Michael Herzog has been a regular fixture on the city's cycle lanes recently, riding his home-made machine made from the rear section and petrol engine of a 1970s Honda Nifty 50 motor scooter attached to bicycle front forks and wheel.
Mr Herzog said the vehicle should be classed as an electric bicycle and allowed in cycle lanes.
He estimated he was stopped by police 15 times last week alone.
The hybrid had cost him no more than $25 to build and he said it was a dream to ride.
"It handles absolutely great. I can stop it on a dime."
In May, he appeared in court charged with riding his scooter while suspended from driving.
He was fined court costs of $130 but not disqualified from driving.
Judge Michael Crosbie said the main issue was whether the power of the vehicle was sufficient for it to come under the definition of being a motor vehicle. He accepted Mr Herzog was riding it under mistake of fact. He noted at the time the defendant was wearing a helmet and would not ride such a machine again.
A police spokesman yesterday said officers were "making ongoing inquiries into the legality of the bike, and into what action should be taken".
A police spokesman said Mr Herzog's bike, which had neither warrant of fitness nor registration, met the definition of a vehicle.
NZ Transport Agency rules state a power-assisted cycle (for example, an electric bicycle) has an auxiliary electric motor with a maximum power of 300W or less, designed to be primarily propelled by the muscular energy of the rider.
Cycles fitted with petrol motors, low-powered scooters and cycles designed to be primarily propelled by an engine were classed as mopeds, which needed to be registered and driven by a licensed rider.
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Comments
A mountain bike front added to a motor bike is what I see. If that is legal then why can't I put a pedal car steering wheel on my Pathfinder and avoid rego? Actually, if I swap the steering wheel for bike handlebars will I also be able to use the bike lanes?
Read for comprehension.
"made from the rear section and petrol engine of a 1970s Honda Nifty 50 motor scooter attached to bicycle front forks and wheel".
Sounds like you need to get your eyes tested, where in that sentence does it state the device is a 'motor bike'.
Mr Herzog said the vehicle should be classed as an electric bicycle and allowed in cycle lanes.
If it's got a petrol engine how can it possibly be an electric bike!
Obviously a hard working talented man who has embraced the DCC's vision of no car parks, using the cycle lanes, sure the gentleman's design is a petrol engine but if the cycle had an electric motor he would be fine. How about the police also start to regulate the electric scooters ensuring the riders adhere to the rule, oh thats right there is no rules for the scooters