Transportation and Vehicle Safety: Goped street legal - Ohio, public roadways, goped

Question
Dear Terry,

I recently was riding my friends goped in Put-in-Bay, Ohio and a cop said that it was not street legal and I was not allowed to ride it and had to walk it.  Is it possible to make it street legal, what would we have to do to make it street legal, and what would we have to do regarding the state and making it street legal.  I believe it would have to be ohio law, and if its even possible and what we could do to possibly change the laws in ohio to make them legal like california.

Sincerely,

David Khieu

Answer
Hi David and welcome to AllExperts!

You would have to check your state laws regarding motorized scooters to ascertain if they are legal to operate on public roadways first. If they are not legal based on classification, then there is nothing you cad do or add to the Goped to make it 'street legal'.

As I am not familiar with Ohio law, this would be outside of my expertise.

As to making a motorized scooter legal to operate on public roadways in those areas where they are not currently lawful as a classification, you would have to ask you senator or assemblyman to endorse legislation in the form of a SB (Senate Bill) or AB (Assembly Bill).

While not an easy task to do, California did just that in 2000 and made the laws a little stricter in 2005:

AB-1650
SB-441

If you contact Goped and other makers of motorized scooters, they will have contacts of numerous lobbyists to assist you in your quest. I hope this helps David. Have a great day!

Terry