Autocycle Definition Bill Introduced
Autocycles, like these Slingshots, may run with the bikes but they clearly are not motorcycles.
After two years of bare-bones legislative sessions, we are finally starting to see movement on other issues, including some of concern to motorcyclists in Colorado.
House Bill 22-1043 was introduced January 12 by District 16 Rep. Andres Pico and District 2 Sen. Dennis Hisey to clarify the distinct and separate definitions of motorcycles vs. autocycles. As we have seen an explosion in recent years of three-wheeled vehicles that are clearly not motorcycles, these vehicles, nevertheless, continue to be classified as motorcycles. Note that some three-wheeled vehicles are rightly classified as motorcycles, and this proposed legislation addresses that fact.
This is a problem because crashes occur the data connected to them get lumped in with the data from motorcycle crashes, with a clear possibility of wrongly skewing the actual motorcycle data. This in turn can be used for policy-making that is erroneous. Thus the need to create a separate category of vehicle and keep the two separate.
Here’s the current abstract for the bill:
Current law defines an autocycle as a motorcycle. Section 1 of the bill removes autocycle from the definition of motorcycle. The definition of motorcycle is changed to add that a motorcycle needs to have handlebars to steer and has a seat the rider sits astride. The definition of autocycle is also changed to clarify that an autocycle doesn’t use handlebars directly connected to the front tire or tires to steer. In removing autocycle from the definition of motorcycle, the bill makes the following clarifications and changes:
Section 2 clarifies that the driver of an autocycle need not have a motorcycle endorsement regardless of the autocycle’s maximum speed and that all 3-wheel motorcycle drivers need a general or limited motorcycle endorsement;
Current law requires all motorcycle drivers to wear eye protection unless the motorcycle has 3 wheels, has a maximum speed of no more than 25 miles per hour, has a windshield, and has seatbelts. Section 3 clarifies that this exception applies to drivers of autocycles, not motorcycles, fitting that description.
Current law requires a motorcycle driver who is under 18 years of age to wear a helmet unless the motorcycle has 3 wheels, has a maximum speed of no more than 25 miles per hour, has a windshield, and has seatbelts. Section 4 clarifies that this exception applies to autocycles, not motorcycles, fitting that description.
Current law imposes a fee of $4 to register motorcycles for motorcycle operator safety training. Redefining autocycles as not being motorcycles means that autocycle owners will not pay the fee.
Section 5 removes the authorization for 2 autocycles to drive abreast in one lane.
Sections 6 through 31 make conforming amendments.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
The bill has been assigned to the House Transportation and Local Government committee. We’ll be watching its progress and will report back if a time comes when it appears that contacting your legislators would help push it through.
Biker Quote for Today
When a car started telling very bad jokes the motorcycle was disgusted and exclaimed, “Are you four-wheel?”
Tags: autocycle, definition of autocycle
