Haines Borough police will enforce traffic violations by motorized bicycles, chief Gary Lowe told the assembly June 22.
The issue was raised by assemblyman Norm Smith, who voiced safety concerns about bicycles traveling up to 45 mph. “I saw one guy going up the hill at the Fort. I knew he wasn’t pedaling and he was going way over the speed limit.”
Lowe said police have given a warning to at least one driver of such a bike. “They can be issued traffic citations, and if they continue to operate the way that they are, that’s probably going to happen.”
No license or title is required of “bike bugs,” defined as motors 50 cubic centimeters or less that assist a bicycle rider while pedaling, according to Carl Springer, motor vehicle registrar at the Anchorage office of the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Big “bugs” are attachments to bikes not “designed, intended or used” as a constant power source, Springer said. Such devices generally can’t push an average-size person uphill without pedaling, he said.
A regular driver’s license is required to operate motorized bicycles not requiring pedal-assist, even with engines under 50 cc in size, Springer said. Also, persons under age 14 aren’t allowed in the roadway on such motorized bikes, he said.
Riders of pedal-assisted bikes must obey the rules of the road, including stopping at stop signs and signaling turns, he said.