Should the EPA relax its ban on converting dirt bikes to street legal use?

Question

Considering the fact that the price of gas is outragous , and that dirt bikes have a smaller carbon footprint then most sub compact cars. Its seems like a win-win to me, I ride my dirt bike to work and the enviro-nuts get my suv off the road, use less fossil fuel and pollute less. Or will the EPA continue to pander to the enviro-nuts no matter what, even in the face of common sense.

Answer 1

This isn't the EPA's call.  This is an issue for the States

Answer 2

When considering dirt bikes for street-legal use first you must consider the implications of such a proposal.  Dirt bikes were not designed for long-haul street use.  They lack the proper safeties such as turn signals and, sometimes, headlights.  Because of this, your state Department of Motor Vehicles has likely chosen to ban these from the roads because the bikes would pose a public risk, especially if another driver didn't see a person on a dirt bike slowing down, stopping, and turning.  Would it be worth the savings if a few people got killed for these reasons?

Once you pass your DMV's requirements, EPA requirements would need to be met for emissions, if necessary (depending on where you live).  Most dirt bikes are two-stroke gasoline engines.  These engines are designed for power (each stroke is a power stroke), not fuel efficiency, and a large quantity of unburnt fuel exits these motors even when the exhaust stream does not appear smoky.  For this reason, 4-stroke engines are used most on-road vehicles, but they are heavier and are probably not found in many dirt bikes.

So the above is just a start but serves as a reminder that there are real reasons why most dirt bikes are not street legal even if it appears foolish that they are not.

The real question is if a company will come out with a bike that is street-legal per your DMV and can also be used as a dirt bike.  The EPA doesn't enter into the problem until much later.