There's a new type of fuel efficient vehicle and the government is not inte rested 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, stil l requires DOT lights and DOT tires and this is out of the scope of a motor ized 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 an d 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 b y pedaling a few feet and then popping out the clutch. Then the clutch is o nly 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 en gines are similar to chain-saw engines and they get hot. So the riding rang e is probably a four mile commute.
The next type of motorized bicycle has a four-stroke engine of 50cc size an d an automatic transmission with an automatic centrifugal clutch. However s ince this motorized bicycle has more than one gear then it will probably ex ceed the 30 MPH speed limit associated with mopads. Also, the four-stoke en gine 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 p ull cord. The riding range is probably a ten mile commute.
The last type of motorized bicycle is an electric motorized bicycle. Most g overnments 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 tota lly powered mode is probably a ten mile round-trip commute.
Additional notes:
The internal combustion motorized bicycles are usually built from engine in stallation kits using a beach cruiser bicycle. However, there are some prem ium parts available to supplement the kits.
The electric motorized bicycles are often bought commercially but can be bu ilt from kits. Half the cost of this motorized bicycle could be in the lith ium-ion batteries. An electric motorized bicycle wouldn't likely use heavie r 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 ch ambers are popular for performance.
A traditional 12-speed geared bicycle, without motor, can be ridden at 30 M PH on level ground by pumping heavy pedals in a big gear. It's just a lot o f work. And so riding a motorized bicycle at 30 MPH is not really an increa se in skill level.
Bottom line:
If you have a four mile one way commute, the motorized bicycle might be bet ter than waiting for the bus.