Feds redefine motorcycle—three-wheelers may lose safety rules
H.R. 3385 — To direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue certain regulations to update the definition of motorcycle, and for other purposes. · Filed by Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) · 4 cosponsors · Introduced May 14, 2025 · Markup held
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What it does
This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to update the federal definition of 'motorcycle' within 120 days to match a specific statutory definition provided in the bill. The new definition emphasizes three-wheel-or-fewer vehicles with astride seating, handlebar steering, and handlebar/foot controls. The bill does not explicitly state who benefits, but the change may affect vehicle classification, safety standards, and regulatory treatment of three-wheeled vehicles like trikes and autocycles.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is to redefine 'motorcycle' in federal transportation regulations, which will mechanically reclassify certain vehicles and alter their regulatory treatment. This is a technical regulatory update, not a safety or consumer-protection measure.
What the text implies
- Reclassification of three-wheeled vehicles (trikes, autocycles, Can-Am Spyders) may exempt them from motorcycle-specific safety standards (helmet laws, protective gear requirements) depending on how states and DOT implement the new definition.
- The definition's emphasis on 'astride seating' and 'handlebar controls' may exclude or reclassify vehicles with side-by-side seating or steering wheels, potentially creating a regulatory gap for emerging vehicle types.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
three-wheeled vehicle manufacturers (Can-Am, Polaris, Harley-Davidson Trike division); autocycle and trike manufacturers; vehicle dealers specializing in three-wheeled vehicles