Interpretation ID: aiam1792
Jr.
General Manager
M.I.T. Innovation Co-op
Room 33-111 Innovation Center
Cambridge
MA 02139;
Dear Mr. Washington: This is in reply to your letter of January 24, 1975, to the Office o Chief Counsel asking whether your proposed 'Autocycle' is a 'motorcycle' for purposes of the Federal motor vehicle safety standards.; The Autocycle has a steerable front wheel and a rear traction whee arranged in tandem like a conventional two-wheeled motorcycle. However, it also has a pair of smaller side wheels that are lowered to the ground to assist in the stabilization of the vehicle at low speeds and while standing still. These auxiliary wheels, as we understand it, retract at moderate and high speeds.; A 'motorcycle' is a 'motor vehicle with motive power having a seat o saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground' (49 CFR 571.3(b)). Although you have not specified the low speeds at which the auxiliary wheels are deployed, we have concluded on the basis of the information you have provided that the Autocycle is essentially designed to travel on two wheels in contact with the ground, and that the auxiliary wheels serve only the limited function of providing stabilization at low speeds. Therefore, the Autocycle is a 'motorcycle' for purposes of compliance with the Federal standards.; The proposed redefinition of 'motorcycle (39 FR 15046, April 30, 1974 would exclude certain three-wheeled vehicles and thus does not affect the Autocycle.; Sincerely, James C. Schultz, Acting Chief Counsel