Sponsors (5)
The bill standardizes the federal definition of "motorcycle," reducing regulatory uncertainty for manufacturers and regulators, but risks reclassifying some low-speed vehicles and imposes a tight 120-day implementation deadline that could burden DOT and drive short-term costs for governments and users.
Manufacturers, riders, state governments, and safety regulators get a clearer, uniform federal definition of "motorcycle," reducing regulatory uncertainty and making vehicle classification and compliance decisions more consistent.
Owners and operators of low-speed three-wheeled vehicles and mobility devices may be reclassified out of the "motorcycle" category, creating new state registration, compliance, or equipment requirements for those users and providers.
Federal employees and taxpayers may face increased short-term administrative costs and implementation strain because the Department of Transportation must complete rulemaking and related changes within a 120-day deadline.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires DOT to update the federal regulatory definition of “motorcycle” to match a statutory definition and issue that rule within 120 days.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue certain regulations to update the definition of motorcycle, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 14, 2025 by Derrick Van Orden · Last progress May 14, 2025
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a regulation within 120 days that amends the federal regulation defining “motorcycle” so the regulation matches the statute’s definition. The statutory definition specifies vehicles originally manufactured with motive power, a seat or saddle requiring the rider to sit astride, steering by handlebars, handlebar and foot controls for acceleration and braking, designed to travel on no more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and capable of exceeding 30 miles per hour. The change only updates the regulatory definition in 49 C.F.R. §571.3 to conform to the statutory language; it does not itself set new safety standards, appropriate funds, or change other vehicle requirements beyond the definitional alignment.