I am hearing more and more Motor assisted Bicycles in Tucson being Impounded.

Several where not stopped for any traffic violations but stopped because TPD just wanted to do a serial number check to see if the bike is stolen or not.

After the bike comes up clean, they ask for proof of ownership. Most as we know have no proof of ownership so they impound the bike.

Now when they go to retrieve there bike, most only have the receipt for the bicycle and motor. Apparently from what I am hearing this is not sufficient enough of proof to retrieve the bike out of impound.

I am hearing they have to wait 30 days before they can get there bike back after no one reports it stolen or try to claim the bike. Well after 30 days the impound fee's are so high it's cheaper just to build a new bike.

And many, true admit mostly there where speeding and are getting there bikes impound with the big tickets...No Insurance, no registration, no license.

I think it is ridiculously that you can get hundreds even thousands of dollars in tickets just for going 1-3mph over the speed limit. You should just receive a speeding ticket. There needs to be a "grace speed" so to speak that if you are not over that "grace speed" you just receive a speeding ticket. Now if you are speeding well beyond the 20mph limit....well that's your own dump fault.

I also believe we need some way to register are bikes with the city/state like other states. Now I am not suggesting registering your bike like you would your car but some kind of registration that will prove ownership of your bike. Most other states have a small lifetime fee of $10-$25 with some states have to renew it yearly.

Just my opinion, but I do not like the games that TPD is planning with MAB riders.

bloody hell. this really pisses me off. asshole NAZI cops.
well, sounds like as long as you carry some sort of receipt for at least the bicycle (maybe motor, as well) if a guy gets stopped then shows it, theres nothing the cops can do.
so cops are just randomly pulling bikes over to see if theyre stolen, huh? what about regular pedal bikes? if nobody fights this shit in court, theyll continue to do it.
way to "protect and serve", guys.

THIS IS FOR YOU. YOU'VE EARNED IT-

I have tried to register my MAB's as a moped but keep getting the run-around. They would like documentation of bike and motor and stuff and over the years I have lost all of that.

But one thing I have done to prove ownership is register my bike at www.nationalbikeregistry.com/

They send you a Certificate of Registration and a tamper-resistant NBR label to identify your bike. That way if the TPD ever does confiscate or seize my bike I can prove ownership. I plan to carry the registration with me when I ride so hopefully that will keep the bully's from taking my ride. Of course give them time and they will find some other loop hole to harass us.

I heard just today that my friends Uncle's bike was confiscated for no proof of ownership. I have contacted TPD and asked what proof they would like but do not respond to me.

I have been riding bikes in Tucson my whole life. I have been stopped to were they check the serial number to see if it is reported stolen, but never confiscated any of my pedal bikes for no proof of ownership. Dirty tactics is all they are up to.

One more thing I forgot to point out.

The Tucson Police Department and the University of Arizona Police Department uses the National Bicycle Registry.

www.nationalbikeregistry.com/signups.html#Anchor-AZ

So this to me would mean that it is sufficient proof of ownership.

David,
I have registered 4 MAB's as mopeds in this state. It costs $10 and the license plate is good for 1 year. What is necessary to register a MAB in Arizona as a moped is the following:
1.)Notarized Bill of Sale (Spooky Tooth can provide this for you free of charge)
2.)Driver's License
3.)Serial numbers engraved on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell.
4.)$10

We did this for MiQ's trip over to California on his Nomad 4 stroke. There is a screen shot that a DMV worker gave me that I have in my position which will make all future registrations easier for DMV workers. It seems to be confusing to some DMV workers to register these as mopeds which is why I was given the screen shot. I scan it for you if you would like it.

I really like the idea of registering our bikes as mopeds. It allows you to go as fast as you like in a sense.

I do agree that the cops need to be checked. It really sucks being poor and caught in the system. The MAN will fuck with you and HE is very hard to beat.

~Roland

Good information! Thanks!

Any ideas on how this works in Ontario Canada? Brought the bike with me from California.

Cheers!