anybody else ever throw a tall bike/double decker together? I welded this one up in about an hour and a half. It rode really nice but the rear axle would slowly bend and let the chain go slack and eventually fall off. I would straighten it and it would be good for a while but always bend back. I think it was because the seat was further back because of the stack and the leverage would bend it. I took it to a bicycle repair shop and asked them about a hardened or thicker axle setup and they looked at me like a lunatic. I (being nearly 40 at the time) gave the whole thing to a younger guy I worked with before it put me in a wheelchair. (when the chain falls off you have to prepare to dismount before it slows and falls over)
Illegal, like a lot of fun stuff (must be able to touch ground without dismounting). Popular for many years, I'd guess that you could search for any fun bike and/or offbeat gathering, however I will warn that adult themes will often be present in such picture searches!
I did a quick search and found this https://www.calbike.org/go_for_a_ride/california_bicycle_laws/#toggle-id-2 Handlebars: Handlebars must not place the hands higher than the rider’s shoulders. VEH 21201(b) Bicycle size: Bicycles must be small and/or large enough for the rider to stop, support the bicycle with one foot on the ground, and start safely. VEH 21201(c) The reference leads here https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=21201.&lawCode=VEH I'm sure this will get some naysayers about the state of CA, but I'll let them search their own location for similar laws. This is simply what came up first. Yes, this also hits the big wheel turn of the century bikes. Probably when there were problems that the law addresses.
There it is. BTW, I lived most of my life there but am in AZ now. Quick search has another law firm which doesn't have as much info, https://www.bikelaw.com/laws/arkansas/ but does link to state law https://www.dot.state.al.us/ I'll note that the link is to Alabama. Do we need to disparage the fine legal staff and others in Arkansas?
A little more looking came up with this basic handout https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/AR-Bicycle-Guide.pdf and the actual laws. I've bolded a part in the overview and (6) which could cover the same thing. https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Arkansas_Traffic_Rules_for_Cyclists.pdf 27-51-104. Careless and prohibited driving. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any vehicle in such a careless manner as to evidence a failure to keep a proper lookout for other traffic, vehicular or otherwise, or in such a manner as to evidence a failure to maintain proper control on the public thoroughfares or private propery in the State of Arkansas. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or drive any vehicle on the public thoroughfares or private property in the State of Arkansas in violation of the following prohibited acts: (1) Improper or unsafe lane changes on public roadways; (2) Driving onto or across private property to avoid intersections, stop signs, traffic control devices, or traffic lights; (3) Driving in such a manner, or at such a speed, so as to cause a skidding, spinning, or sliding of tires or a sliding of the vehicle; (4) Driving too close to, or colliding with, parked or stopped vehicles, fixtures, persons, or objects adjacent to the public thoroughfares; (5) Driving a vehicle which has any part thereof, or any object, extended in such fashion as to endanger persons or property; (6) To operate any vehicle in such a manner which would cause a failure to maintain control; (7) To operate or drive a vehicle wherein or whereon passengers are located in such a manner as to be dangerous to the welfare of such passengers; or (8) To operate a vehicle in any manner, when the driver is inattentive, and such inattention is not reasonable and prudent in maintaining vehicular control. (c) A person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100).
Hey, you as a citizen are held to the standard of knowing the law. The commonly stated Ignorance of the law is no excuse, which goes back to Roman times. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignorantia_juris_non_excusat Law enforcement is not. https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/heien-v-north-carolina/ Holding: A police officer’s reasonable mistake of law gives rise to reasonable suspicion that justifies a traffic stop under the Fourth Amendment. So I'd suggest that you know what laws you might be breaking and understand that even if you aren't breaking any laws, you can still be subject to police action if they think you might be or just don't like you. https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ngov.pdf Problem is, local, county, state and federal legislators all keep making new ones. Plus bureaucratic regulations are also added. It's hard to keep up. https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2013/03/frequent-reference-question-how-many-federal-laws-are-there/
OOO hit a sensitive button. Lived in the PRK most of my adult life, 63-93. Got out in 93 before it turned in the mess that it is now. So yeah have no love for Cali, which by the way may be why so many are getting out now.
Yeah, I didn't get it assigned in school, but George Orwell's Animal Farm puts forth “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This isn't a CA only problem. How can a company be seen as a 'person' if they cannot be held to the same hazards of lawlessness, such as jail? How are LE granted the same rights as other people, but exempted from many laws that bind everyone else? The 2 (or more) tier system of common folk and the rich, powerful, connected or legally carved out is known in the small midwest towns too. https://apnews.com/article/marion-kansas-newspaper-raid-aca057365ea3925328a69acd615c9893 I try to live within what I perceive to be the laws, with a few carefully chosen exceptions, trying not to infringe on other people. How many of us have removed the reflectors from a bike or motorcycle that are legally required? In the case of a tall bike, I understand that if I choose to ride one out in public around others, I may fall and either damage other people or their property, or create a hazard in the road that is entirely due to my choice.
I remember the crazy bike craze in the early 70s a few friends built some tall bikes. I never rode one figured I’d have a hell of wreck. Built some long raked out bikes they looked cool but didn’t turn very well although they did wheelie really really well. I don’t recall Law Enforcement harassing us for our bikes. @RodStRace i grew up in Iowa I’m sure Iowa had/has similar laws just never saw them enforced. Riding a tall bike in traffic would be a hazard and not a smart thing to do. Dan
I didn't build a tall bike, but did ride a unicycle on sidewalks, wheelies everywhere, built a chopper bike in metal shop that had a longer wheelbase than a VW, and other assorted youthful misadventures. So I personally didn't get informed during an interaction of the tall bike law, but heard about it from others and it does make some sense. If you can't control your actions (drunk in public, donuts in traffic, 2 guys walking with a sheet of glass on the sidewalk) to limit danger to yourself and others, you are being a problem.
The Jalopy Journal
