• Motorized bikes are regulated by law in Rhode Island.old bike image by Mirek Hejnicki from Fotolia.com
  
  Motorized bikes are a hybrid between bicycles and motorcycles. Unlike scooters or mopeds, electric bikes or motorized bikes can be used as a bicycle and operated with human power or electric motor power. The motors of such bikes are no more than 2 horsepower and have a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour. Laws in Rhode Island regulating these vehicles are covered in Title 31: Motor and Other Vehicles.
  
  

License Required

• As with cars, you need to be at least 16 years old to operate a motorized bike or motor scooter on the road. You also need to have a valid driver's license. This will require you to pass a written, vision, road sign and road test. All of these tests, except for vision, can be taken through a certified school driving course, according to state law.
  
  

Equipment Required

• If you are going to drive a motorized bike on a state road, it needs to have a rear-view mirror. If you are under 21 years old, you must also wear a helmet and all new operators of a motorized bike are required to wear a helmet for a year after they first receive their licenses, regardless of age, according to state law.
  
  

Passengers

• While you are allowed to carry passengers on a motorized bike, the passenger must have "a separate rear seat, a separate foot-rest, and an appropriate handlebar or grip for his or her use, and must wear a properly fitting helmet," according to state law. Passengers under 12 years old must also have a backrest to their seats.
  
  

Highway Use

• Motorized bikes are illegal to operate on Rhode Island highways. Violators will be ticketed and fined.