Shortly after the end of the second world war the " Moped " emerged in America - and became the choice means of transport for thousands. The Moped was an ordinary bicycle - fitted with a tiny little motor to assist when climbing hills. In most parts of the world it required neither registration or insurance.
Not so here in Australia. The powers that be in all states insisted that it was a " motorcycle " - and would be required to comply with all the laws and licenses that applied to a motorcycle.
That killed the Moped dead in this country.
Sixty years on - and we have had a change of thinking.
Bicycles are now politically correct as a preferred means of transport - and the opposition to a small motor assistance to the rider has become legal - as long as that motor is no more than 200 watts.
But once again the heavy hand of the law seems determined to stamp out the Moped. A rider - who presented his Moped to the Roads and Traffic Authority ( RTA ) and was assured his bike was legal - has been fined by the police and handed a $ 1000 fine - because they consider that the motor exceeds 200 watts. Consequently, the police claim the Moped must be registered and insured as a conventional motorbike - and the rider requires a rider's license to operate it.
It seems that this should be a matter to be settled between the police and the RTA.
As usual the poor member of the public is left out there in no man's land. Both the police and the RTA retire behind their legal barricades and leave this unfortunate to shoulder the work - and costs - to prove himself innocent.
About time the government stepped in and kicked a few bums to sort this out !
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