Motorized Bicycle

[johnnyb47]

Hi.
I've often seen this old guy in my town and he's got a vintage 70,s road bike with a small petrol engine fitted to it. Most of the time I've seen him pushing it down the road ,but this evening I caught a glimpse of him riding it along the road.
He was going along at a pretty sedate speed and the engine sounded very quiet as it popped its way along.
He also looks quite eccentric dressed in a tweed jacket and a very old fashioned helmet.
As it went passed I noticed he had some out of place Cree front lights and flashing rear led lights fitted.
The other thing I noticed was his bike didn't have a number plate, which I personally would if thought should be mandatory on any petrol propelled vehicle on our roads in the UK.( although I may be wrong).
I was just wondering where does the law stand on such bike's.
It did look nice though, and kind of reminiscent of what life was like in by gone days :-) :-)

 

[roadrash]

if it has an engine then it is a moped and should have a reg plate, mot ,tax and should be insured

 

[Drago]

I know a chap with a vintage cycle motor thingy and that had to be registered to be put back on the road.

 

[Tangoup51]

a bicycle with an engine is a motorcycle.

If you want no insurance, registration, tax, police hassle, grab yourself an illegally overpowered electric bike

 

[gaijintendo]

Maybe the engine is never engaged, and it was his hip popping.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Hi.
I've often seen this old guy in my town and he's got a vintage 70,s road bike with a small petrol engine fitted to it. Most of the time I've seen him pushing it down the road ,but this evening I caught a glimpse of him riding it along the road.
He was going along at a pretty sedate speed and the engine sounded very quiet as it popped its way along.
He also looks quite eccentric dressed in a tweed jacket and a very old fashioned helmet.
As it went passed I noticed he had some out of place Cree front lights and flashing rear led lights fitted.
The other thing I noticed was his bike didn't have a number plate, which I personally would if thought should be mandatory on any petrol propelled vehicle on our roads in the UK.( although I may be wrong).
I was just wondering where does the law stand on such bike's.
It did look nice though, and kind of reminiscent of what life was like in by gone days :-) :-)

Ordinary bicycles with engines used to be common in the 1950's, my Dad had one if I remember right, the engine sat on a carrier at the back.

similar to this https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1950s-raleigh-superbe-with-trojan-mini-motor-gearless-cycle-outboard/

 

[Dirk]

if it has an engine then it is a moped and should have a reg plate, mot ,tax and should be insured

He also needs to be wearing a proper motorcycle helmet - even when pushing it, as he is still technically in control of it.
I used to ride a BSA Winged Wheel around a car park near our house many years ago. 32cc of monster 2 stroke.
It was the first engine I ever rebuilt when I was 10 years old.