New Type of Fuel Efficient Vehicle

There's a new type of fuel efficient vehicle and the government is not interested at all.

The new fuel efficient vehicle is a motorized bicycle.

But isn't a motorized bicycle a mopad ? Well, according to most governments a motorized bicycle with an internal combustion engine is a mopad and that's the problem. A mopad, even if vehicle registration is not required, still requires DOT lights and DOT tires and this is out of the scope of a motorized bicycle. But see a motorized bicycle weighs about 100 pounds less than a mopad and thus only needs a bicycle frame a little on the heavy side and bicycle wheels and tires a little on the wide side.

There are three types of motorized bicycles:

The first type of motorized bicycle has a two-stroke engine between 50cc and 66cc size. Then there is a mechanical clutch but no transmission. So the key aspect to this motorized bicycle is the engine size and type along with the fact that it only has ONE GEAR. This motorized bicycle is cranked up by pedaling a few feet and then popping out the clutch. Then the clutch is only used again for coming to a stop except that the clutch could be pulled and latched and the engine turned off even while riding. These two-stoke engines are similar to chain-saw engines and they get hot. So the riding range is probably a four mile commute.

The next type of motorized bicycle has a four-stroke engine of 50cc size and an automatic transmission with an automatic centrifugal clutch. However since this motorized bicycle has more than one gear then it will probably exceed the 30 MPH speed limit associated with mopads. Also, the four-stoke engine found in bicycle kits is too large and shaped incorrectly to work well when set in a bicycle frame. The four-stroke engine is cranked-up with a pull cord. The riding range is probably a ten mile commute.

The last type of motorized bicycle is an electric motorized bicycle. Most governments recognize this type of motorized bicycle as a bicycle instead of a mopad if its top speed is 20 MPH or less. This type of motorized bicycle encourages assisted pedaling rather than total use of power. Range in totally powered mode is probably a ten mile round-trip commute.

Additional notes:

The internal combustion motorized bicycles are usually built from engine installation kits using a beach cruiser bicycle. However, there are some premium parts available to supplement the kits.

The electric motorized bicycles are often bought commercially but can be built from kits. Half the cost of this motorized bicycle could be in the lithium-ion batteries. An electric motorized bicycle wouldn't likely use heavier batteries.

The two-stroke motorized bicycles require oil mixed with gasoline.

Wheel size is often 26" x 2.125".

Simple springer forks are often used on motorized bicycles.

The two-stroke engine kits now include a catalytic muffler but expansion chambers are popular for performance.

A traditional 12-speed geared bicycle, without motor, can be ridden at 30 MPH on level ground by pumping heavy pedals in a big gear. It's just a lot of work. And so riding a motorized bicycle at 30 MPH is not really an increase in skill level.

Bottom line:

If you have a four mile one way commute, the motorized bicycle might be better than waiting for the bus.