As we speak, your representatives (and I use that word loosely) in Annapolis are hard at work to get their hand in your pocket. Currently under consideration in the 2009 session are House Bill 650 / Senate Bill 793 which read virtually the same.
Now I'm no lawyer, and my eyes do go a bit cross when trying to comprehend page after page of legal-speak, but the upshot seems to be that you 50cc-ers, the quietest of our scooter nation, have been squeaking by scot-free as far as the state is concerned, and if this bill passes your free ride is over.
Passage would mean the 50cc-ers would join the rest of us who already bear the burden of state registration, and insurance costs. Your scooter would now be registered with an S-Class and you'll be subject to an annual $35 registration, and an additional $13.50 surcharge. ( i love that "surcharge" bit, just call it a cool $50 and stop bullshitting people! ).
Additionally you'd be required to obtain insurance, now whether the state's new definitions would lead to a new product called Scooter Insurance as opposed to Motorcycle Insurance, which in my mind might be a bit cheaper, remains to be seen.
I have yet to read anything about safety or training classes being required, a task the rest of us Scoots, who the state considers motorcycles, must also bear at a cost of anywhere between $135-300 dollars, that is... if you can find an opening. Thats right folks, in order to ride your scooter legally, you must first learn to ride a motorcycle. That equates to being forced to learn stick when you drive an automatic car. It's moronic! Don't get me wrong, I fully support rider safety courses for everyone, I just don't appreciate being put-upon by the state because they see us as one lump. According to the State of Maryland legislation My Vino 125cc Scooter has more in common with a Harley-Davidson than it's own little brother the Vino 50cc. 75cc's seperate these two scooters and not much else, but according to the state, the 125 is a motorcycle and the 50 is a scooter.
It's not so much that I think anything about this bill is unreasonable, its just the cavalier way our representatives pass legislation over something they don't understand. I totally agree in fact that whatever laws do or do not exsist as it pertains to two-wheeled transportation, every scooter should be treated equally, we drive the same roads, we present the same risks, and the same potential for medical bills and litigation. But lets look at issues and propose laws based on at least a little bit of education on the subject, and to the Delegates and State Senators who have brought this bill fourth, if you need that education feel free to ask those who know. I imagine we'd be more than happy to sit down and talk about the laws that effect the activity we so enjoy. Other wise quite frankly you look like a bunch of typical politicians, arbitrairily taking from the people because you can, and passing our money to the state and special interestes like say insurance companies who will no doubt profit from this legislation.
If you'd like to talk by all means email me through the site, I'd be happy to take a day off of work and drive down to the state house for a constructive conversation. Because as it is, all I see when this current legislation is said and done, the reality of the situation will be the same as any time the govenment clamps down on an activity. Those who do it right will pay, those who don't wish to pay will go through illegal channels and circumvent the the system. Nothing will actually change in the humanity aspect of the problem, but the State's Wallet will get a little thicker, and they can fund a study to study and observe the potentianl usefullness of studying whether or not to replace light bulbs in State Buildings.
For all my tough talk, I'll help you out by getting the ball rolling with ...
Dave's Scooter Laws for the State of Maryland:
1. Any vehicle with two-wheels, a step-through chasis, gas or electric powered, without pedals, is a Scooter.
2. All vehicles as defined in #1 as scooters being operated in the State of Maryland are subject to:
A. State Motor Vehilce Registration and Tags for a fee of $35 plus a $13.50 surcharge ;) annually. (this would actually help you a lot if your scooter was stolen, well at least more so than if you didn't register it)
B. To carry Scooter Insurance (Both Injury and Liablity because I don't want to pay your medical bills and neither should the state. These policies should be somewhat cheaper than motorcycle insurance considering the physical vehicle cost is less, and the speeds and roads traveled are generally less than that of Motorcycles.)
C. To complete a 1 Day rider saftey course, and receive an S-Class License upon successful completetion of the course. (Learn safety, defensive driving, and manuvering skills specific to scooters ... not how to shift a motorcycle)
There I have said my piece ... and now for your consideration:
If you'd like to read the bill click below:
House Bill 650 Senate Bill 793
The stars must be aligning today over Australia, because I can't seem to get away from Vmoto, an Australian Scooter Company that I didn't even know existed before this morning.
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