An Act Relating to Autocycles
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0152
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: CONNOR, DAMON, BERRY, BRIGGS, BROWNE, MAZUREK, PEOPLES, THERIAULT, JACKSON, SULLIVAN
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2083, 29-A MRSA §2089-A

Legislative Document 
No. 152 
H.P. 131 
House of Representatives, January 15,2009 
An Act Relating to Autocycles 
Submitted by the Secretary of State pursuant to Joint Rule 204. 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk. 
Cosponsored by Senator DAMON of Hancock and 
'17/~ 1/1. 7ll~1ZiJw.d 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BERRY of Bowdoinham, BRIGGS of Mexico, BROWNE of Vassalboro, 
MAZUREK of Rockland, PEOPLES of Westbrook, THERIAULT of Madawaska, Senators: 
JACKSON of Aroostook, SULLIVAN of York. 
Pril1lL'J I III I c..:;;LlL'J pill'L'1' 
Be it enacted by the People ofthe State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 29-A MRS A §lOl, sub-§6-A is enacted to read: 
6-A. Autocycle. "Autocycle" means an enclosed motorcycle having no more than 3 
wheels in contact with the ground and that: 
A. Meets the general motorcycle inspection standards, except those standards that do 
not apply due to the design of the vehicle; and 
' 
B. Is equipped with: 
(1) Safety belts for all passengers; 
(2) A roll bar; 
(3) A steering'wheel or tiller; and 
(4) Brakes on at least 2 main wheels. 
, 
An autocycle may not be designed or used primarily for the transport of cargo or 
materials. The manufacturer's certificate of origin must state that the vehicle meets 
the federal specifications' for a motorcycle. 
Sec. 2. 29-A MRS A §501, sub-§12 is enacted to read: 
" 
12. Autocycles. The SecretalY of State may issue a registration for an autocycle 
upon application and payment of an annual fee of $21. The registrant must provide a 
cel1ificate of title required by section 651, proof of financial responsibility required by 
section 1601 and evidence of payment of the excise tax as required by Title 36, section 
1482, subsection 1, paragraph C. An autocycle registered under this sectiOIl is'issued a 
registration plate with the word "autocycle" instead of "Vacationland." The SecretaIY of 
State may issue a facsimile plate for a 60-day period. 
Sec. 3. 29-A MRS A §1301, sub-§9, as reallocated by RR 2003, c. 1, §28, is 
amended to read: 
' 
.. Vehicle used for examination. An applicant for a license may not use a low-
speed vehiCle or autocycle to demonstrate ability to operate a motor vehicle as required 
under subsection 4. ' 
Sec. 4. 29-A MRS A §2083, sub-§l, as amended by PL 2005, c. 577, §33, IS 
further amended to read: 
' 
1. Requirement. The following persons must wear protective headgear: 
I 
A. If under 15 years of age, a passenger on a motorcycle or in an attached side car or 
in an autocycle; 
, 
B. If under 15 years of age, an operator of an off-road motorcycle; 
C. An operator of a motorcycle or autocycle, operating under a learner's permit or 
within one year of successfully completing a driving test; and 
) 
) 
) 
D. A passenger of an operator required to wear headgear. 
Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §2083, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 577, §33, IS 
further amended to read: 
2. Compliance. An operator of a motorcycle, or autocycle or a parent or guardian 
may not allow a passenger under the age of 15 years to ride in violation of this section. 
Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §2089-A is enacted to read: 
§2089-A. Operation of autocycles 
A person operating an autocycle on a public way shall comply with the orovisions of 
this chapter as they apply to the operator of a motorcycle and with this section. 
1. 
License required. 
A person operating an autocycle must possess a valid 
operator's I icense of any class with a motorcycle endorsement pursuant to section 1252, 
subsection 2 or a motorcycle operator's license pursuant to section 1254, subsection 1. 
2. Road restrictions. An autocycle may be operated only on a road or street where 
the posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less. 
An autocycle may cross, at an 
intersection, a road or street with a posted speed limit of more than 45 miles per hour. 
The depaliment may prohibit the operation of an autocycle on any highway or segment of 
highway under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessalY in the 
interest of public safety. A municipality may prohibit the operation of an autocycle on 
any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the 
interest of public safety. 
3. Violation. A person who operates an autocycle in violation of subsection 2 
commits a traffic infraction. 
4. Rulemaking. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Commissioner of 
Transportation and the Commissioner of Public Safety, may adopt routine technical rules 
in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to implement this section, 
monitor the registration and use of autocycles and provide for the safe operation of 
autocycles. 
SUMMARY 
This bill defines an autocycle as an enclosed, 3-wheeled motorcycle with certain 
additional safety equipment and establishes provisions for registration, operator licensing 
and limitations on operation of an autocycle. An autocycle would be allowed to operate 
only on roads with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less. An autocycle may 
not be designed or used primarily for the transport of cargo or materials.