Federal bill could redefine motorcycles and sideline three-wheeled autocycles

WASHINGTON — A bill moving through Congress could change what qualifies as a motorcycle in the United States — and critics say it could effectively take some three-wheeled vehicles off the road.

House Bill 3385 would direct the Secretary of Transportation to amend the federal definition of “motorcycle” within 120 days of enactment.

The bill defines a motorcycle as a vehicle originally manufactured with a seat or saddle requiring the rider to sit astride, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, steered by handlebars, and controlled by handlebar and foot controls.

File photo: Getty Images.

Opponents say that language would exclude three-wheeled vehicles commonly known as autocycles — vehicles equipped with steering wheels, pedals, and bucket seats — from the federal motorcycle category.

The Motorcycle Industry Council has formally opposed the bill, warning lawmakers that removing autocycles from the current motorcycle definition without creating a separate federal safety category would place them in “classification limbo,” making it illegal to sell or register them.

FILE – Lights shine inside the U.S. Capitol Building as night falls on Jan. 21, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File)

In a letter to members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, the group said the measure would effectively eliminate an entire product segment and could invalidate tens of thousands of state registrations.

The letter argues the bill could result in immediate withdrawal of certain product lines from the U.S. market and harm manufacturers and dealerships nationwide. It also states that several states tie their definitions of motorcycles directly to federal law, meaning a change could disrupt registration and operation rules in multiple jurisdictions.

Read the opposition letter below:

Industry leaders say the autocycle segment represents hundreds of millions of dollars in domestic investment and is part of a powersports retail market valued at $51 billion in 2025.

Supporters of the bill argue it would bring regulatory clarity by narrowing the federal definition of motorcycle. Opponents say it amounts to government overreach and could penalize manufacturers that have developed vehicles under existing rules.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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