Can I be ticketed for riding a moped-class bike faster than 50 km/hr?

[Claudio]

[ As of August 2006 ]

Yes, you can be ticketed if you do not have a class 6 (Motorcycle) license.

Currently, the Winnipeg Police Service has a "action item / agenda" to pull over and spot check all bikes that "look like scooters" (regardless of engine size).

Members have reported being pulled over while obeying the speed limit but exceeding 50 km/hr (e.g., doing 55km/hr in a 60 zone).

Of those who have been pulled over, members who only have their regular (class 5) driver's license have received tickets for "driving a vehicle without the correct class of license" (this is the equivalent of riding a motorcycle without a motorcycle license.

All cases are currently pending, so there are no precedent rulings as of this writing. Based on the inherent flaws in the legislation and the vehicle registration process, we expect that many, if not all violations will be dismissed.

Scootering Manitoba recognizes that the legislation is flawed and out-of-date and is dissappointed that a more reasonable approach (i.e., issuing warnings and providing information) has not been adopted by the Winnipeg Police Service.

We also believe that it is prejudicial for scooterists to be pulled over and spot checked simply because they are riding a "scooter". Other vehicle classes are not subject to the same arbitrary scrutiny (i.e., motorcyclists are not pulled over and spot checked to ensure they have a Class 6 license).

As of this writing, we hope to meet with the Winnipeg Police Service and voice our concerns.