The Alabama House of Representatives voted last week to allow autocyclesto be legally operated on the streets of Alabama.
House Bill 37 is sponsored by State Rep. Charlotte Meadows (R-Montgomery).
According to the synopsis, “Existing law provides for the operation of an autocycle and equipment required for legal operation. This bill would further provide for the operation of an autocycle and would require the vehicle to be equipped with a roll cage or roll hoops, brakes that meet certain federal requirements, and a steering wheel or steering mechanism.”
Meadows said that autocycles are legal in Hawaii, Washington, and other states.
Meadows said that the legislation was brought to her by a disabled constituent who purchased an autocycle as transportation but has found that it cannot legally be operated on Alabama’s streets.
“Existing law requires the operator of a motorcycle to wear protective headgear,” said Meadows. “This bill would exempt the operator of an autocycle from protective headgear equipment requirements.”
State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) objected to allowing autocycle operators to operate an autocycle without having to wear a helmet.
Meadows said that a helmet is not necessary because an autocycle has a roll cage and a seatbelt.
“An "autocycle" means a motor vehicle that is designed to travel with three wheels on the ground; is equipped with a steering wheel or steering mechanism, a roll cage or roll hoops, a seat belt for each occupant, brakes that meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.”
The legislation was approved by the Alabama House of Representatives by a vote of 71 to 15.
HB37 now goes to the Senate where it has been assigned to the Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee.
Tuesday will be day 13 of the 2022 Alabama Regular Legislative Session.
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