A couple years ago me and a buddy both bought motor kits from
powerkingshop on ebay. The kits come with everything you need to motorize a bicycle. Since we bought 2 we were able to get them shipped to our door for under $100 each. While these are cheap Chinese motors I cannot complain at all. Mine still runs like a top after 2 summers of pretty regular use. I love the thing and can't wait for the snow to go so I can take it for a spin. Here's some pics.
I did quite a bit of research on the regulation of these here in Alberta, Canada. I found that mopeds and power bicycles are classified and regulated differently. My bike doesn't fit either category. It's 80cc, does over 50 km/h and also has a clutch. That right there would bump it into the motorcycle category.
power bicycles
Definition according to: USE OF HIGHWAY AND RULES OF THE ROAD REGULATION
1(o): “power bicycle” means a vehicle that
(i) may be propelled
(a) by human muscular power
(b) by mechanical power, or
(c) partly by human muscular power and partly by mechanical power
(ii) is fitted with pedals that are continually operable to propel it,
(iii) has a motor that produces not more than 750 watts and that is driven
by electricity or has an engine with a displacement of not more than
50 cubic centimetres
(iv) does not have a hand-operated or foot-operated clutch or gearbox driven
by the motor that transfers power to the driven wheel
(v) does not have sufficient power to enable it to attain a speed greater than 35
kilometres per hour on level ground within a distance of 2 kilometres from a
standing start, and
(vi) weighs not more than 35 kilograms
Operator’s licence: You are not required to hold a operator’s licence when
operating a power bicycle.
(Traffic Safety Act, Section 51(a) states licence required for ‘motor vehicles’.
Definition of motor vehicle in Traffic Safety Act, Section 1, excludes
power bicycles.)
Minimum driving age: The minimum age for operating a power bicycle is 12
years. You must also have written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
(Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation. Parental consent in form
approved by Registrar or holds valid licence, Section 9.)
Registration: You are not required to obtain registration for power bicycles.
(Traffic Safety Act, Section 52(1)(a) states registration required for ‘motor
vehicle’. Definition of motor vehicle excludes power bicycles.)
Insurance: You are not required to obtain insurance for power bicycles.
(Traffic Safety Act, Section 54(1)(a) states insurance required for ‘motor vehicle’. Definition of motor vehicle excludes power bicycles.)
Helmet: You must wear an approved motorcycle helmet when operating a
power bicycle (see page 5).
(Vehicle Equipment Regulation, Section 93).
Special laws:
(a) You must ride as far to the right side of a highway as practicable to
the curb or edge of the roadway unless making a left hand turn.
When riding on a one way street in an urban area you may operate
as near as practicable to either curb or edge of the roadway.
(Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, Section 77.)
(b) If you are under the age of 16 years, you are prohibited from
carrying any passengers on a power bicycle.
(Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, Section 76.)
Equipment: You must be equipped with the following gear when riding a
power bicycle: headlamp, tail lamp, brake lamp, reflectors, brakes, a horn,
muffler, and mirror.
(Vehicle Equipment Regulation, Sections: 10, 13, 18, 19, 42, 54, 60, 61, and 96.)
mopeds
Definition according to: USE OF HIGHWAY AND RULES OF THE ROAD REGULATION
1(i): “moped” means a vehicle, regardless of the number of wheels it has, that
(i) may be propelled
(a) by human muscular power
(b) by mechanical power, or
(c) partly by human muscular power and partly by mechanical power
(ii) has a motor that is driven by electricity or has an engine with a displacement
of not more than 50 cubic centimetres,
(iii) does not have a hand-operated or foot-operated clutch or gearbox driven by
the motor that transfers power to the driven wheel,
(iv) does not have sufficient power to attain a speed greater than 50 kilometres
per hour on level ground within a distance of 2 kilometres from a standing
start, and
(v) weighs more than 35 kilograms but less than 55 kilograms, but does not
include a bicycle or power bicycle.
NOTE: Some vehicles may appear to be “mopeds”, however, if they exceed
the weight of 55 kg or speed of 50 km/h, then they do not fall into the
moped classification and are, instead, considered motorcycles (see page 12).
Operator’s licence: The minimum requirement for operating a moped is a
Class 7 licence.
(Traffic Safety Act, Section 51(a) states licence required for ‘motor vehicles’.
Motor vehicle definition above includes mopeds.)
Minimum driving age: The minimum age for operating a moped is 14 years.
(Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation, Section 28(2) states the
age for issuing of a Learner’s Licence. Section 32(2)(a) states that Class 7
learner’s licence is not considered a learner’s licence when operating a moped
– supervision is not required.)
Registration: You are required to obtain registration before you operate
a moped.
(Traffic Safety Act, Section 52(1)(a) states registration required for
‘motor vehicles’. Motor vehicle definition includes mopeds.)
Insurance: You must obtain insurance before operating a moped.
(Traffic Safety Act, Section 54(1)(a) states insurance required for ‘motor vehicle’. Motor vehicle definition includes mopeds.)
Helmet: You must wear an approved motorcycle helmet when operating a
moped (see page 5).
