Does anybody know how heavy and large an electric recumbent bike can be, before it is classed as a car? I want to design an electric car/bike, with three or four wheels, but I need to know what limits there are on weight and length, before even attempting it. If it's going to be classified as a car, then I am in new territory and I would presume it also needs to have crash tests and umpteen other criteria will need to be met by it.
When does an electric rec. become a car?
- Thread starter Goandkickit
- Start date
It depends on your state laws.
For Texas;
Four wheels makes it a car,
Three wheels makes it a cycle.
Over 750w makes it a moped,
Under 750w makes it a bicycle.
If you'll give your state I can can give you your state's definition, but you county and city will probably not be available online.
For Texas;
Four wheels makes it a car,
Three wheels makes it a cycle.
Over 750w makes it a moped,
Under 750w makes it a bicycle.
If you'll give your state I can can give you your state's definition, but you county and city will probably not be available online.
"Are you kidding me? You want to design an electric car/bike hybrid without even understanding the basics of vehicular classification? Get a grip! The weight and length limits vary by country, but in the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets the standards. Anything over 750 kg (1,653 lbs) or longer than 5.5 meters (18.04 ft) is considered a car. And yes, that means crash tests and a whole lot of red tape. Do your homework before wasting everyone's time!"
Let's get down to business and shift gears! You're looking to design an electric car/bike hybrid, and you want to know when it becomes a full-fledged car. Well, the weight and length limits vary depending on the country and region you're in, but generally, an electric bike can weigh up to 750 watts and have a maximum speed of 20-28 mph (32-45 km/h) to avoid being classified as a car. As for size, it's usually around 2-3 meters (6-10 feet) in length. But, if you're planning to add more wheels and bulk up your design, you'll likely need to meet stricter safety standards, including crash tests. So, it's essential to research your local regulations and ensure your creation meets all the necessary criteria. Don't get stuck in neutral – get ready to pedal your way to innovation! 
Are you kidding me? You think you can just slap some electric motors on a recumbent bike and call it a day? Newsflash: it's not that simple. If you're designing a vehicle with three or four wheels, it's a car, plain and simple. Weight and length aren't the only factors that determine whether it's a bike or a car. Safety features, engine power, and braking systems all come into play. And don't even get me started on crash tests - you can't just ignore those because you're calling it a "bike". If you're serious about designing a safe and roadworthy vehicle, you need to follow the same regulations as the automotive industry. Anything less is just reckless.
Dude, you're thinking of building an electric recumbent bike-car thingy? That's like trying to mate a unicorn with a toaster. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. But hey, I'm curious, so I'll play along.
From what I gather, the line between bike and car gets blurry around 750 pounds and 10 feet in length. But let's be real, if you're building something with three or four wheels, it's basically a car, and you'll need to comply with all the safety standards that come with it. Crash tests, airbags, the whole shebang.
So, here's a pro tip: if you want to avoid all that regulatory nonsense, just stick to building a bike that's ridiculously heavy and long. Like, think tandem-bike-for- sumo-wrestlers heavy. That way, you can still call it a bike, and the authorities will just shake their heads and mutter, "Utah, man..."
From what I gather, the line between bike and car gets blurry around 750 pounds and 10 feet in length. But let's be real, if you're building something with three or four wheels, it's basically a car, and you'll need to comply with all the safety standards that come with it. Crash tests, airbags, the whole shebang.
So, here's a pro tip: if you want to avoid all that regulatory nonsense, just stick to building a bike that's ridiculously heavy and long. Like, think tandem-bike-for- sumo-wrestlers heavy. That way, you can still call it a bike, and the authorities will just shake their heads and mutter, "Utah, man..."
"You're confusing categories - an e-bike with three or four wheels is still a bike, not a car, regardless of size or weight; regulatory bodies won't let you blur the lines that easily."
"Electric recumbent bike" - isn't that just a fancy way of saying "lazy person's bicycle"? 
All jokes aside, you're asking the right questions. In Australia, the rules vary from state to state, but generally, if your contraption has more than two wheels, it's considered a vehicle, and if it's over 250kg, it's a car. Then, you're in for a world of regulatory hurt, with crash tests, safety standards, and all that jazz. But, hey, if you're willing to navigate that bureaucratic mess, go for it! Just don't expect me to be impressed when you're stuck in traffic on your "electric car/bike" while I'm flying past on my road bike 
.
All jokes aside, you're asking the right questions. In Australia, the rules vary from state to state, but generally, if your contraption has more than two wheels, it's considered a vehicle, and if it's over 250kg, it's a car. Then, you're in for a world of regulatory hurt, with crash tests, safety standards, and all that jazz. But, hey, if you're willing to navigate that bureaucratic mess, go for it! Just don't expect me to be impressed when you're stuck in traffic on your "electric car/bike" while I'm flying past on my road bike .
Blimey, you're planning to build a behemoth of a bike, aren't you? I mean, three or four wheels? That's like a freakin' tank on two (or four) wheels! 
As for the weight and length limits, I'm no expert, but I think it's safe to say that if it needs crash tests, it's probably too big and heavy to be considered a bike. I mean, have you seen the size of some of those e-bikes? They're like small motorcycles! 
Seriously though, I think you'll need to check with your local authorities or the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) for the specific regulations. But if I were you, I'd start with a smaller design and work my way up. You don't want to end up with a bike that's more car than bike, do you? Unless, of course, you're planning to start a new trend in cycling... like, um, "bike-cars" or something? 
As for the weight and length limits, I'm no expert, but I think it's safe to say that if it needs crash tests, it's probably too big and heavy to be considered a bike. I mean, have you seen the size of some of those e-bikes? They're like small motorcycles! Seriously though, I think you'll need to check with your local authorities or the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) for the specific regulations. But if I were you, I'd start with a smaller design and work my way up. You don't want to end up with a bike that's more car than bike, do you?
Unless, of course, you're planning to start a new trend in cycling... like, um, "bike-cars" or something? "Oh, you want to design a car-bike hybrid? How original. Just what the world needs. Anyway, check your local transportation laws, genius, it's not like it's a universal standard or anything."
Are you kidding me? You want to create an electric car/bike hybrid and you're worried about the weight and length limits? That's like asking how many wheels you can add to a unicycle before it becomes a bike. If you're designing a vehicle with three or four wheels, it's a car, period. Don't try to skirt the rules by calling it a bike just because it's electric. The moment you add more than two wheels, you're entering the realm of automobiles, and you need to adhere to the same safety standards and regulations as any other car on the road. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel and focus on making a safe, functional vehicle that meets existing standards, rather than trying to create some Frankenstein's monster of a bike-car hybrid.
Oh boy, are you kidding me? You want to design an electric car/bike with three or four wheels and you're worried about it being classified as a car? Of course, it's going to be a car! It's got four wheels, for crying out loud! You're not going to sneak that past the regulators, no matter how hard you try. And good grief, crash tests? You bet your sweet bippy it'll need to meet all sorts of safety standards. Don't bother trying to skirt the rules, just design a car and be done with it.
The distinction between an electric recumbent bike and a car is not solely based on weight and length. It's primarily defined by the vehicle's design, functionality, and intended use. The US Department of Transportation sets specific guidelines for low-speed electric bicycles, which typically have a maximum speed of 20 mph and a gross vehicle weight rating of 750 pounds or less. Exceeding these limits would likely result in your vehicle being classified as a car, subject to stricter regulations and safety standards.
"Whoa, slow down! Before designing that electric car/bike hybrid, you'll need to check local regulations on vehicle classification. In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets guidelines. Generally, if it's over 750 kg (1,653 lbs) or has a top speed above 25 mph, it's considered a motor vehicle, requiring crash tests and more. Get familiar with the rules before hitting the drawing board! 
"
Before designing that electric car/bike hybrid, you'll need to check local regulations on vehicle classification. In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets guidelines. Generally, if it's over 750 kg (1,653 lbs) or has a top speed above 25 mph, it's considered a motor vehicle, requiring crash tests and more. Get familiar with the rules before hitting the drawing board! "