A new Law "On Road Traffic" has been adopted in Kyrgyzstan, which completely changes the status of two-wheeled vehicles. The Cabinet of Ministers will update the Traffic Rules of the Kyrgyz Republic (KR Traffic Rules) within three months. However, the new legal requirements (including fines, licenses, and registration) have the highest legal authority. Let's look at what is now classified as a moped and what is a motorcycle, and what rules apply to them.
MOPED (AND SCOOTER)
Under the new Law:
Mopeds are officially classified as motor vehicles. Scooters, electric scooters, mokiks, and motor scooters are now legally considered the same as mopeds.
Moped specifications:
- Gas engine size up to 50 cc.
- OR electric motor power from 0.25 kW to 4 kW.
- Maximum speed from 25 to 50 km/h.
(Law of the KR "On Road Traffic", Art. 2)
New requirements for moped riders:
Riding without a license
Registration violation / Riding without license plates
In the un-updated Traffic Rules, a moped is not considered a motor vehicle. The rules only mention gas engines up to 50 cc and speeds up to 50 km/h, and treat bicycles with an attached engine as mopeds. The term "scooter" and specifications for electric motors are completely missing from the current Traffic Rules.
(KR Traffic Rules, Sec. 1.2)
MOTORCYCLE
Under the new Law:
A motorcycle is a two-wheeled motor vehicle (with or without a sidecar). Tricycles and quadricycles with motorcycle-style seating or handlebars are also classified as motorcycles.
Motorcycle specifications:
- Gas engine size exceeds 50 cc.
- OR the maximum speed exceeds 50 km/h (with any engine).
- For tricycles and quadricycles: weight not exceeding 400 kg (550 kg for cargo) excluding batteries, and engine power not exceeding 15 kW.
(Law of the KR "On Road Traffic", Art. 2)
Requirements for motorcycle riders:
In the current Traffic Rules, a motorcycle is simply described as a two-wheeled motor vehicle. Three- and four-wheeled vehicles weighing up to 400 kg are considered the same. However, the current Traffic Rules do not have clear limits on engine size (over 50 cc), speed (over 50 km/h), or electric motor power, which are now introduced by the new Law.
(KR Traffic Rules, Sec. 1.2)