They are only motorized bicycles if...
Quote:
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Originally Posted by CA DMV
Motorized Bicycle
406. (a) A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor which produces less than 2 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.
(b) A "motorized bicycle" is also a device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts.
(2) Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on ground level.
(3) Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour.
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Almost any bicycle with decent gearing is capable of 20+mph under human power on flat ground, so unless there is something that prevents any additional power from the motor at that speed, be it gearing or a cut-out (as in what the bionx kit has) at 20mph, then a bicycle with an electric motor is considered a motorcycle by the CA DMV.
Since Christopher Jordan said their trikes were "below the legal radar" I'm assuming they probably can go over 20mph with electric power. Otherwise they would simply be motorized bicycles and wouldn't be going under the radar based on what I think the term describes.
Edited for errors.