Photo by yonas1

Is that Vespa you own a motorcycle? A scooter? Or is it a motorized bicycle? These sorts of distinctions matter for people who own scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, and motorized bicycles because different—and largely confusing—standards and responsibilities apply that could leave you stuck paying fines, if not worse.

Earlier this month Mayor Vince Gray sent legislation to the D.C. Council that would allow the city to start untangling the cumbersome and sometimes confusing laws on motorcycles, scooters and motorized bicycles.

Under Gray’s proposal, motorized bicycles would be reclassified and exempted from most existing regulations. While currently a motorized bicycle is anything that can’t go over 35 miles per hour, Gray’s bill would make the definition more specific: two or three 16-inch wheels, fully functional pedals and not be able to exceed 20 miles per hour. And in a big change, owners wouldn’t have to register them, get licensed to use them or purchase insurance for them. And as provided for in the current regulations, they’d be able to use bike lanes, park on the sidewalk and their users wouldn’t have to wear a helmet.

How about scooters, though? Provided they don’t drive faster than 30 mph and have 50cc or smaller engines, they would be classified as “motor-driven cycles.” But under Gray’s proposal, not much would change from right now—owners of such scooters would still have to have a license (though not a motorcycle endorsement), pass inspection, be registered, and have insurance.

Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) has called a hearing on October 22 to discuss Gray’s proposed changes and hear testimony on whether D.C. should further lighten up on scooters, much like Virginia and Maryland currently do.

Nontraditional Motor Vehicle Chart