Does this look like a motorcycle? There is a current bill in NJ that will have it registered as one. Read on, find out why this is bad and see our proposed solution.
[ABATE has nothing against autocycles. Many motorcyclists have crossed over to autocycles and we think this is great. We just believe that they should have their own separate classification/definition in NJ law. See the call to action below on how you can help.]
OK, I know you are thinking, “What the heck is an autocycle?” When I first heard the term a few weeks ago from a fellow ABATE member, I think that was an exact quote of my response. The problem is that there is little official definition of the term, yet New Jersey is currently discussing a bill in the Assembly, A2696, which will have them registered as motorcycles!
Watch this video of the Slingshot by Polaris, one of the more prominent of this new type of vehicle. As you watch the video, ask yourself, “Is this a motorcycle or more like a car?”
Do you think that is a motorcycle? The driver sits in a bucket seat and drives using a steering wheel. Heck, he was drifting through a lot of the video, something which is characteristic of a high performance car and not a motorcycle.
Furthermore, there will be exceptions made to the normal motorcycle laws in NJ for autocycles, like you won’t need a motorcycle endorsement on your license. Also, you won’t need a helmet provided the autocycle is enclosed yet in no place is it specifically stated what “enclosed” means.
So, let me get this straight. I buy a Slingshot and register it with the DMV and the registration says it is a motorcycle. The law says that to ride a motorcycle in NJ, I need a motorcycle endorsement, yet I won’t need one for my registered [Slingshot] motorcycle. So one law contradicts the other? Do the child safety seat laws that apply to cars apply here to this new “motorcycle” of mine?
Instead of registering these things as motorcycles, why don’t we create a separate class? In Title 39, sec. 1-1, a motorcycle is defined as:
“Motorcycle” includes motorcycles, motor bikes, bicycles with motor attached and all motor-operated vehicles of the bicycle or tricycle type, except motorized bicycles as defined in this section, whether the motive power be a part thereof or attached thereto and having a saddle or seat with driver sitting astride or upon it or a platform on which the driver stands.
Doesn’t sound like the vehicle in the video, does it? Maybe we should add a separate definition to sec. 1-1 of Title 39. Here is what Idaho added to their motor vehicle definitions:
“Autocycle” means a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground that has a steering wheel and seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride.
That simple definition, along with a separate registration category, will make everything clear and there will be no laws contradicting other laws.
We can expect more blurring of the lines in the future too. Check out this thing!
There is no pending legislation in New Jersey at this time for the Biski. To me, it is more of a motorcycle than the autocycle. It has two wheels, has handlebars and the rider sits astride, but think of the legal headaches. Is it registered as a watercraft with the number affixed to the hull or a motorcycle with a license plate? Will we have a registered motorcycle with an exception requiring it to carry a personal flotation device for each rider? I shudder to think but it is all the more reason to set the precedent now for separate categories.
I have just scratched the surface here and haven’t gone into other ways that this ambiguity could result in undesired situations. For instance, what if we learn that there is an increase in motorcycle fatalities? Could it be something with motorcyclists or might it be the influx of autocycle registrations? Since they are all registered and counted as motorcycles in the state, we may never know. Does anyone remember the Robin by Reliant? It was popular in the UK and registered as a car, but it only had three wheels and was very akin to today’s autocycle. (Actually, by Idaho’s definition stated above, it would be considered an autocycle.) Watch and see in this video.
Call to Action!
If you want to help, please contact your local New Jersey Assemblyman and voice your concern. You can find out who that is and how to contact them here…
Tell them that you oppose State Assembly Bill A2696. Tell them that you think Autocycles should have a separate classification. I actually called my Assemblyman’s office and discussed my concerns with his Chief of Staff. However a simple email letter would suffice.
