Motorcycle License Required?

[Scott Berridge]

My state of Mo requires both a helmet and a motorcycle license.

I have gathered that Elio is working with state legislatures to codify "autocycles" and that motorcycle license and helmets are not required in all states. I live in Topeka, Kansas, and travel to Kansas City, MO all the time. No way am I going to carry a helmet in the trunk. Besides, a helmet in an enclosed cab is just plain dangerous. Impairs vision and hearing.

 

[Coss]

I have gathered that Elio is working with state legislatures to codify "autocycles" and that motorcycle license and helmets are not required in all states. I live in Topeka, Kansas, and travel to Kansas City, MO all the time. No way am I going to carry a helmet in the trunk. Besides, a helmet in an enclosed cab is just plain dangerous. Impairs vision and hearing.

And increases the weight of your head, so it's more mass to mash into the glass/pillar/steering wheel

 

[Jeff Porter]

I have gathered that Elio is working with state legislatures to codify "autocycles" and that motorcycle license and helmets are not required in all states. I live in Topeka, Kansas, and travel to Kansas City, MO all the time. No way am I going to carry a helmet in the trunk. Besides, a helmet in an enclosed cab is just plain dangerous. Impairs vision and hearing.

Hi Scott, fellow Kansan here... summer of 2014 I worked with my state rep and gave him info to introduce a bill this past winter. It made it through both houses and was signed by the governor. It defines an autocycle, and states no need for helmet and a Class C license is good enough. So it's all good.

 

[Jambe]

But Scott is driving in Kansas City, MO, where at this time both are needed.

 

[Alan Jay Weiner]

About motorcycle vs. car licenses...

In my opinion, the Elio is a car; not a motorcycle. The reason is that motorcycles turn by leaning - they have to lean in order to turn. At very slow speeds, you turn the handlebars like a tricycle (turn left, go left). Above 5 or 6 miles per hour, you press on the handlebar in the direction you want to go (press left, go left). The handlebar actually turns the "wrong" way. This is called countersteering. (Bicycles are the same, btw)

The skills for riding a motorcycle and driving a car are different. Not usually a problem until an emergency - there are videos of motorcycle riders actually turning into the car they are trying to avoid - they turn the handlebars the wrong way.

Fortunately, the Elio has a steering wheel, and since it doesn't lean, automobile-driving reactions will be correct.

It doesn't lean like a motorcycle. It drives like a car. It steers like a car.

It's a car. Which means an automobile license. (and no helmet.)'

At least it should mean that...

 

[Rickb]

About motorcycle vs. car licenses...

In my opinion, the Elio is a car; not a motorcycle. The reason is that motorcycles turn by leaning - they have to lean in order to turn. At very slow speeds, you turn the handlebars like a tricycle (turn left, go left). Above 5 or 6 miles per hour, you press on the handlebar in the direction you want to go (press left, go left). The handlebar actually turns the "wrong" way. This is called countersteering. (Bicycles are the same, btw)

The skills for riding a motorcycle and driving a car are different. Not usually a problem until an emergency - there are videos of motorcycle riders actually turning into the car they are trying to avoid - they turn the handlebars the wrong way.

Fortunately, the Elio has a steering wheel, and since it doesn't lean, automobile-driving reactions will be correct.

It doesn't lean like a motorcycle. It drives like a car. It steers like a car.

It's a car. Which means an automobile license. (and no helmet.)'

At least it should mean that...

Welcome Alan Jay Weiner! All motorcycles don't lean...........Trikes/Three Wheelers.

The new autocycle legislation that has or is in the process of being passed will resolve the issues of MC endorsements and helmet requirements. Keep in mind the Elio has a motorcycle VIN number that is used for individual States registration and licensing requirements......a motorcycle classified vehicle with a defined autocycle subclassification.

You are right on when you say there will be no special skills needed to drive an Elio. My grandma could have driven it.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

About motorcycle vs. car licenses...

In my opinion, the Elio is a car; not a motorcycle. The reason is that motorcycles turn by leaning - they have to lean in order to turn. At very slow speeds, you turn the handlebars like a tricycle (turn left, go left). Above 5 or 6 miles per hour, you press on the handlebar in the direction you want to go (press left, go left). The handlebar actually turns the "wrong" way. This is called countersteering. (Bicycles are the same, btw)

The skills for riding a motorcycle and driving a car are different. Not usually a problem until an emergency - there are videos of motorcycle riders actually turning into the car they are trying to avoid - they turn the handlebars the wrong way.

Fortunately, the Elio has a steering wheel, and since it doesn't lean, automobile-driving reactions will be correct.

It doesn't lean like a motorcycle. It drives like a car. It steers like a car.

It's a car. Which means an automobile license. (and no helmet.)'

At least it should mean that...

First welcome from the Evergreen State, land of the legal MJ.
I like your take on leaning, haven't seen that
It's my understanding, that when it's in the Elio's best interest the definition moves between car and bike.
i.e. it's a motorcycle for insurance, driving in the HOV lane (with no need for a passenger),
it's a car for registration, no helmet, no motorcycle license endorsement

I've not heard/read what the 5 star safety rating is measured against, when it will take place, not the date, where along the production cycle, and who will be certifying it.
Basically it's a car to attract as many buyers as possible (tough sell if ya have to wear a helmet and license). Here,on this board, there are, like me (50 yrs of bikes), motorcycle riders looking for an alternative to preserve what's left after joints, memory, and.... Now a need for a.c.and rain protection ! They still haven't solved the wife sitting behind ya !! ( I did but her lawyer made sure it cost me)
Enough road rash and broken ribs for me to make this my "Sr. M C ride"

 

[JEBar]

the reality is driving an Elio and driving a motorcycle are two different worlds .... in states where the Autocycle category hasn't been put into the books, an Elio is by definition a motorcycle .... I can understand those states requiring a motorcycle driver's license .... requiring a helmet in an enclosed vehicle where the driver is restrained creates a safety concern .... NASCAR has proven that to be the case and to address the issue, they require drivers to wear a HANS device .... my hope is EM can get that message through to the legislators in the states still requiring a helmet

 

[Gizmo]

Or they'll require that HANS device!

 

[JEBar]

Or they'll require that HANS device!

if they require a helmet in the name of safety, to have safety be more than a catch word and have it mean something, they should ....