There are moments in advocacy when the issue at hand is bigger than a single bill, a single meeting, or a single news cycle.
This is one of those moments.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is engaged in a fight to modernize and clarify the federal definition of a motorcycle. That may sound technical, but it is not. Definitions shape regulations. Regulations shape enforcement. And enforcement shapes every rider’s experience on the road.
For years, certain three-wheeled autocycles (equipped with steering wheels, bucket seats, and automotive-style controls) have been classified under the motorcycle definition. By removing a wheel from what is otherwise an automotive platform, these vehicles have been allowed to fit into a regulatory gap that was never intended for enclosed, steering-wheel-operated machines.
Let’s be direct: removing one wheel from a small car does not make it a motorcycle.
A motorcycle is designed to be straddled.
It is steered with handlebars.
It requires balance, coordination, and direct engagement with the roadway environment.
That design carries unique risks. It carries unique responsibilities. And it has always justified unique regulatory treatment.
When vehicles that function more like cars are allowed to shelter under the motorcycle definition, it blurs lines that matter. It weakens the clarity of laws written specifically for riders. It creates confusion in regulatory agencies. And it opens the door to unintended consequences that motorcyclists will ultimately have to live with.
This effort is not about punishing innovation. It is not about targeting any company or product. If autocycles have a place in the marketplace, they deserve a clear and honest classification.
But motorcycling should not be redefined by convenience or by marketing strategy.
The MRF has faced pressure before. We have been criticized for refusing to compromise when compromise would have been a sell-out. We have been told to “go along” for the sake of smooth politics. Each time, we chose principle over popularity.
Because once you allow definitions to stretch beyond recognition, it becomes harder to defend the rights attached to them.
This is why engagement matters right now.
Lawmakers do not hear from “motorcycles.” They hear from people. They hear from constituents who take the time to call, write, and *most importantly* show up. They listen more closely when you’re there in person!
That is exactly what happens at Bikers Inside the Beltway.
Every year, riders travel to Washington, D.C., not for a parade, nor symbolism, but for scheduled, face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress and their staff. We sit across the table. We explain the issues. We answer questions. We ensure lawmakers understand how federal policy affects real riders in their districts.
That presence makes a difference.
When legislators see motorcyclists organized, informed, and unified, it changes the tone of the conversation. It reinforces that we are not a fringe interest. We are voters. We are workers. We are business owners. We are veterans. We are community members. And we expect fairness and clarity in the laws that govern us.
The current definition debate is not abstract. It is about protecting the distinct identity of motorcycling and ensuring that regulations written for us remain focused on us.
If you have ever appreciated the work done on your behalf in Washington, now is the time to step forward.
Answer the calls to action on HB 3385 – among others.
Contact your elected officials.
And commit to attending Bikers Inside the Beltway.
Advocacy does not happen by accident. It happens because riders decide their voice matters.
This is one of those times.
Hold the line. Protect the definition. Show up and make it clear: motorcyclists are paying attention — and we are engaged.
We will see you in Washington at Bikers Inside the Beltway, May 18-19.
SCHEDULE
Monday, May 18th
MRF Board Meeting @ Embassy Suites
Lobbying Prep. Session @ Embassy Suites 6-8 pm
Tuesday, May 19th
Lobby Day @ Congressional Offices (KSU: TBD)
Post Debrief Session @ Embassy Suites 6-8pm
Room Rate $270 per night incl. breakfast
Room Rate Cutoff: April 22, 2026
HOTEL
EMBASSY SUITES
1900 Diagonal Rd
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-5900
Reservation Phone #: 800-362-2779
Ref. Code: MRF
REGISTER FOR BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2026
All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved.