AMENDMENT PROPOSAL TO ASSEMBLY BILL No. A.B. 335
MAY 7, 2017
--------Referred to Committee on Transportation
SUMMARY--Revises definition of mopeds. Removes reference to 2 gross
brake horsepower
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: Increases number of 50cc
mopeds registered
Effect on the State: Yes
EXPLANATION : matter between brackets {omitted material} is material
to be omitted.
---------------------------------------------------------AN ACT relating to vehicles: Removing the reference to 2 gross brake
horsepower and leaving 50cc or 1500 watts as the determining factor
for classification and definition of a 50cc mopeds.
STATUTE NOW READS
NRS 482.069 “Moped” defined. “Moped” means a motor-driven scooter,
motor-driven cycle or similar vehicle that is propelled by a small
engine which produces not more than 2 gross brake horsepower,
has a displacement of not more than 50 cubic centimeters or produces
not more than 1500 watts final output, and:
1. Is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in
contact with the ground but is not a tractor; and
2. Is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30
miles per hour on a flat surface with not more than
1 percent grade in any direction when the motor
is engaged.
Ê The term does not include an electric bicycle.
PROPOSED AMMENDMENT
Remove the wording {produces not more than 2 gross brake horsepower,}
PROPOSED REVISED AMMENDMENT
NRS 482.069 “Moped” defined. “Moped” means a motor-driven scooter,
motor-driven cycle or similar vehicle that is propelled by a small
engine which { produces not more than 2 gross brake horsepower,}
has a displacement of not more than 50 cubic centimeters or produces
not more than 1500 watts final output, and:
1. Is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in
contact with the ground but is not a tractor; and
2. Is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30
miles per hour on a flat surface with not more than
1 percent grade in any direction when the motor
is engaged.
Ê The term does not include an electric bicycle.
SPONSOR
Linda VanVranken 223 W Pacific ave, Henderson NV 89015
[email protected]
(702)201-5464
April 25, 2017
STATEMENT OF INTENT
NRS STATUTE 482.069
CONCERNING AMENDMENT No. A.B.335 REVISION PROPOSAL
My intention with this proposal is to remove
the reference to "2 gross brake horsepower" from
NRS 482.069 “Moped” defined. “Moped” means a motor-driven
scooter, motor-driven cycle or similar vehicle that is propelled
by a small engine which produces not more than 2 gross brake
horsepower, has a displacement of not more than 50 cubic centimeters
or produces not more than 1500 watts final output, and:
1. Is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in
contact with the ground but is not a tractor; and
2. Is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles
per hour on a flat surface with not more than 1 percent grade
in any direction when the motor is engaged.
The term does not include an electric bicycle.
leaving the 50cc or 1500 watts as the defining factor for
classification as a "moped". It is the size of the engine, the
displacement (cc), that should define the classification, not the HP.
Let me explain further...
I began this campaign after going to register my 50cc moped and being
told that because my 50cc moped is not listed as a 2hp, but instead
listed as a 3hp, it was now actually to be classed as 50cc motorcycle,
and as such would be subject to very different rules with substantial
additional registration requirements. I decided to continue this campaign
because I see the potential for the occurrence of some very dangerous
situations if the 3hp moped is classified as a motorcycle. I see no
discernable plus-side to this continued separation. I also see a
predictable loss in revenue for the State resulting from the many
additional 3hp registration requirements; at least 1/2 of the people
owning these mopeds can not, or will not, register them, because of
the disparity in costs between the two.
What brought this ALL to my attention was a section of the NEVADA
DMV website, Moped registration page. On the DMV website The wording
for moped classification was conflicting with the NRS Statute. The
website
stated that "the engine size 50 cc or less" was the "primary determining
factor" for these vehicles being defined as a moped.
Below is the passage I'm quoting. It is under the heading "INSPECTION"
about mid-page:
"INSPECTION
-- A moped must be inspected to verify that it meets the
definition of a moped.
--The primary factor in determining if it meets the definition is
the engine size 50 cc or less or 1500 watts or less output."
This particular passage has since been removed
from the website page. It was originally in there for a reason, so I
set out to find answers. What I found was this:
Engine sizes are measured by displacement. In this case it is measured
in cubic centimeters or "cc", which are considered the "size" of the
engine: An engine's "size" is a constant & will not change, therefore
a 50cc engine will only be, and remain, a 50cc engine.
Horsepower, however, is greatly variable due to many differing factors,
and calculating horsepower can be a complex and subjective issue,
as there are different types. To accurately determine horsepower,
one must first ascertain the ft/lbs. of torque, that answer to be
then multiplied by the RPM, and is finally divided by the number
"5252".
Gross Brake horsepower is calculated before the inherent loss in power
caused by the gearbox, alternator, differential and other auxiliary,
components such as muffled exhaust system, etc. Horsepower is not a
reliable factor in calculating or determining the speed at which any
given vehicle may be able to travel due to innumerable variables in
specifications of, and for, said vehicle and attatched components.
The difference in observable power between a 2hp and a 3hp moped is
minimal, and much of the time, may be non-existent. There are even
instances where the 2hp is quicker than the 3hp. But NEVER will the 3hp
moped be an equal to ANY motorcycle, it's not even equal to a 80cc moped,
let alone a 250cc Motorcycle. The power difference between a moped and
an actual motorcycle is ENORMOUS. To classify the 3hp moped as a
"motorcycle" is simply wrong, plain and simple, and potentially dangerous
in many ways, also. The maneuverability of these mopeds is not
realistically comparable to that of a motorcycle. A Motorcycle generally
has larger wheels, which provide it better, more accurate, and safer
handling. Motorcycles also have an externally actuated, manually operated
Clutch and gears, allowing immediate gear choice selection. The 50cc
moped has neither of these. The 50cc Moped, regardless whether it is
2 horsepower or 3 horsepower, was not intended for, nor designed to
be operated on, the freeway; it was rather designed for urban or even
rural street applications, for short to medium distances, and to be
an economical alternative to more expensive, gas guzzling automobiles.
If it were classified as a motorcycle and met all the legal
requirements of a motorcycle, then of course it would be legally
allowed the privledges of a motorcycle, one of which is travel on
any roadway. The point I am trying to make is this:
The 50cc 3hp scooter/moped is still just a moped, not a motorcycle,
and should be classified the same as the 2 horsepower 50cc moped/scooter.
Converting cc to horsepower is, to reiterate, a difficult, if not
impossible matter, as one refers to the size of the engine and the other
is a measurement of power output, but there are very general and basic
references for conversion that are widely accepted and that is: 15cc-17cc
is equal to approx. 1 horsepower, which, according to this equation,
would make ALL 50cc mopeds 3 horsepower.
Below are some of the websites/webpages I used for reference:
https://www.google.com/webhp?ie=utf-8&oe=utf8#q=convert+cc+to++horsepower&*
https://www.reference.com/science/many-ccs-equal-1-horsepowere58d2dda1566aec
https://www.reference.com/science/convert-cc-horsepower-64425e51abc395c9
http://www3.telus.net/shebang/engine_cc_to_hp_calculator.html
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060930113815AADsfBq
Linda VanVranken 223 W. Pacific Ave.
[email protected]
Henderson, NV. 89015
702 201-5464