Do I need a license to drive a bike?

In the modern world, the issue of using environmentally friendly transport is acute. The bicycle is rightfully in the lead. Every year this means of transportation is becoming more and more popular. When the roads are extremely congested, moving on a two-wheeled vehicle has clear advantages.

And since a person is constantly striving to improve the objects around him, the bicycle is no exception. Each of us at least once met an "iron horse" equipped with a gasoline or electric motor on the road. There are quite a few of them in big cities, and they belong to full-fledged participants in the movement. So do you need to have a driver's license to drive such a bike?

A driver's license is, first of all, evidence that a person driving a vehicle knows the rules of the road, signs, markings and is able to apply this knowledge in practice. In Russia, you don't need a license to ride a bicycle. However, knowledge of traffic rules is simply a necessity, primarily for the life and health of the cyclist himself. But since no one controls this process, few who board two-wheeled vehicles know all the road signs or, for example, the rules for turning at an unregulated intersection.

You can start cycling from any age, the main thing is to choose the right place for this:

• from 3 to 14 years old - driving on the sidewalk is allowed and only in the presence of adults;
• from 14 years old and above - you can ride along the cycle lane of the road, if it is not there, then on the extreme right or right along the side of the road;
• any age - it is permissible to ride an "iron horse" on specially equipped cycle paths.

Recently, motor bicycles have gained particular popularity. This additional detail makes driving a vehicle much easier. This is especially noticeable when overcoming hills and hills.

The motor can be of different power, and it depends on it what kind of vehicle the bicycle is transformed into. According to the generally accepted classification, two-wheeled vehicles belong to such categories.

• Bike - it is set in motion by the muscle force acting on the pedals, provided that the balance is maintained. Equipping with an electric generator with a capacity of not more than 250 watts is allowed. The maximum driving speed is 30 km / h.
• Moped, scooter, electric bike - these are mechanical vehicles with a gasoline engine up to 50 cc. see or an electric generator, the power of which ranges from 0.25 to 4 kW. Permitted travel speed - up to 50 km / h.
• Motorbike - a powerful two-wheeled vehicle with a gasoline engine over 50 cc. see in volume. It can reach speeds of 100 km / h or more.

Interest in this type of technology is growing rapidly against the background of the fight against environmental pollution. As an environmentally friendly form of transport, it is very popular, despite its relatively high cost. Among the advantages, it is worth noting the low noise level when driving and the ability to charge from the mains, which is enough for trips up to 70 km.

Based on the same traffic rules, it follows that cyclists whose vehicles are equipped with an electric motor from 250 to 4000 watts or an engine up to 50 cc. see are required to have the rights. For such vehicles, the category "M" is provided. If any other category is open, this is only a plus. This fact says that the person driving the bike is familiar with traffic rules, road signs and, if something happens, will be able to respond correctly in an emergency.

But on the other hand, there is one caveat. The police inspector will not be able to visually determine the engine power or engine size. He will be able to draw conclusions about the power of the motor based on the speed of the vehicle.

The best option for cycling enthusiasts is special paths. Anyone can ride them, even without a license. Conditions to be met by cyclists:

• have a serviceable vehicle;
• use protective equipment (helmet, knee pads, etc.);
• not drive a bicycle while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs;
• to transport children under 7 years old, it is imperative to use child seats;
• it is forbidden to transport too heavy or bulky items;
• only walk on the pedestrian crossing.

You can get a license to drive a bicycle, and the most common one, in Latvia. When a potential cyclist turns 10 years old, he has the opportunity to take an exam to obtain a document. If out of 10 exam questions at least 8 answers turned out to be correct, the candidate gets the right. If there are more wrong answers, you can come for a retake, but you will have to pay a symbolic amount for this service.

No one specifically checks the presence or absence of rights, they are required only if any offense has been committed. Any cyclist in Latvia before reaching the age of 12 is obliged to wear a safety helmet when riding. A child who is 12 years old has the right to decide for himself whether to ride with or without a helmet. Adults who have a license to drive other vehicles can also drive a bicycle without hindrance.

In Germany, the practice of issuing bicycle licenses is also practiced. This is done at school, in grade 4. Schoolchildren study the rules of the road as a separate subject, and then take tests to check the knowledge they have learned. Pupils who pass the test are solemnly awarded the right to ride a bicycle. Those who fail to pass the first time can repeat the procedure, it is free.

Russia has experience in issuing documents permitting riding a bicycle. In the 30s of the last century, all cyclists had to undergo compulsory vehicle registration. After that, he was assigned a number, and the owner was issued a certificate that contained:

• the name of the document, the name of the authority that issued it;
• registration number;
• information about the owner: photo, surname, name, patronymic, place of residence;
• excerpts from traffic rules concerning cyclists.

As practice has shown, this innovation did not bring the desired results. Confusion soon arose with registration numbers, and the bicycle rights had to be waived.

Back in Soviet times, or rather, in 1989 in Belarus there were attempts to make it compulsory to pass the exam in order to gain the ability to ride a bike without hindrance... They were also not crowned with success. But it is encouraging that in recent years, due to the development of bicycle infrastructure, the death rate of cyclists in road accidents has decreased significantly. The presence of specially designated driving places helps to reduce accidents on the roads.

In order to follow the rules of the road, you need to know them. Therefore, before leaving on the road on a bicycle, regardless of the presence or absence of a driver's license, you need to thoroughly study the road code. Any two-wheeled vehicle - with or without a motor - is a full-fledged participant in the movement. Unfortunately, not all car drivers are equal to cyclists. And because a bicycle can in no way protect its owner from blows, all hope is only for a quick reaction and compliance with traffic rules.

See below for a license to a bicycle.