Why is a motorcycle a bicycle?

Question

According to British law a motorcycle is classed as a bicycle.....ok then so if I use a bus lane with the bicycle sign then they cant do me can they ..I cant wait for that conversation with pc plod...if they do me I'll take it to court .... and win

Answer 1

i'm with you on this one.. the tax disc for my ninja as well as registration docs clearly state BICYCLE.
I also use bus lanes and would argue the case the same way including the literal and pedantics of the definition and use of the word.

Answer 2

Sorry but you are wrong, it is classed as a Motorised Bicycle and Motorised vehicles are not allowed to use a bus lane! You cant use a Cycle lane either!
BUS and CYCLE lanes are there for a reason as are the laws which Govern them.
There is nothing to stop you trying it but I'd be prepared to pay a fine if you are caught!

Answer 3

That is bull and the motor part is just that and comes under the highway traffic act. Motorcycles are NOT permitted on bicycle pathways at all no matter whether in th UK or anywhere else for that matter. BI as in BICYCLES means (2) to pedal as is biped for feet not motor to motorcycle on it...check the Latin words for BI and the law for cycles before you go after PC Plod as you call him as you may end up with a good fine for not abiding by the rules of the road with your motorcycle and lose the RIGHT to operate it on ANY road. A licence is just that ( a Licence ) NOT a right to drive, but permission to drive according to the law of the land wherever you are.

Answer 4

I dont know about British law, but a bicycle is a cycle with TWO wheels and that is why a motorcycle COULD be considered
a bi-cycle.

Answer 5

It may be a "2 wheeled vehicle" in the lingual sense, however for the purposes of the road traffic act it is a mechanically propelled vehicle, meaning it must be kept on roads, must display number plates/tax e.t.c. and all the jazz with it.
If you start riding it on pavements you'll just end up having it taken off you.

As for riding it in a bus lane, technically illegal but I don't think anyone I'd know would do you for it.

Answer 6

I see what you're getting at with the term bicycle, but what I'd really like to remind you of, as a biker, is - do you remember the old "think once, think twice, think bike" TV ad campaign?

As a biker, you'll know that the biggest danger for motorcyclists on the road is not our driving, but other drivers not seeing us, and pulling out at junctions in front of us, etc.

Stupid of them, but true, if they struggle to see us on a normal road that they could expect a motorbike on, it's even less likely on a lane they only expect to see a massive great bus on.

For your own safety, consider the dummies unprepared for a bike in a buslane, and watch yourself mate. Cheers.

Answer 7

You are wrong bi cycle refers to a two wheeled vehicle
motor cycle refers to a two wheeled vehicle with an engine .

If you put an engine in a bicycle then you would be subject to the same laws as any other motor vehicle , IE tax , insurance , license etc .

Answer 8

I'm a motorcycle training instructor... remember that if there is a lane which does not specify bus but says 'NO CAR LANE' then you CAN use it on a motorcycle 'cos you aren't a car :o)

Answer 9

i admire the two,yet greater BICYCLE. i will rejoice with GOING TO places the place a bike isn't ALLOWED. LIKE IN A PARK. COME ON adult males BICYCLE you take in NATURE greater suitable. quite you are able to WATCH lady AT A SLOWER p.c.., instead ZIPPING ON by.

Answer 10

I'm sure most police officers would overlook your use of a bus lane on a m/c; your hardly going to clog it up, are you!