I was reading about ebike laws to make sure I stay in compliance. I have two questions I could use some help on -
- “The idea that an e-bike is a bike rather than a motor vehicle doesn’t apply in Oregon State Parks. Oregon Parks trails are governed by Oregon Administrative Rules which define “motorized vehicles” as “any vehicle being powered by an engine or motor which is capable of transporting a person.” -
Can I turn my ebike off and ride it unmotorized in non-ebike areas? It looks like the answer is yes from the way at least this law is written - OAR 736-010-0015 - Definitions — Oregon Administrative Rules
““Motorized Vehicle” means any vehicle being powered by an engine or motor which is capable of transporting a person.”
- “The electric motor does not exceed 1,000 watts / incapable of propelling a vehicle over 20 MPH” This is confusing because electric motors don’t govern how many watts they use - that’s the motor controller. Does this simply mean the moto controller should never feed more than 1000 watts and should cut out at 20 mph? Considering this is generally a software setting I assume it would be legal to just have a switch to go go into a legal mode? especially considering I think on federal lands it’s 750 watt ? Does anyone know how this is enforced or measured?
Thanks!