You don’t have to wear a helmet with an enclosed three-wheeler in most US states

Repost from NY State thread

FYI, NYS autocycle bill posted an amendment to the bill today. I took the opportunity to post a comment on the bill page. Also sent follow up note to my Senator about it. Please, all feel free to add comments to that page. Maybe politicians (or their staffs) actually even read some of this.

Nice thread! I am not sure why I didn’t see this

Surely your NY resident question is key a d Good Luck! While that is being settled 🤞 if I visit your state , as a resident of another state...(For selfish reasons I wonder what my limitations might be when I visit my family on the east cost and pass through NY. If it does not apply to me....maybe I should help you visit and talk to your representative, meeting with the Aptera... if it comes down the that 😉)

Puting some of this joking aside, and “thinking out loud”maybe some ammunition, for your future conversation to work on, if these questions come up. I no organized order:

Original Aptera government appearance, while the new vehicle is much more advanced

I am not sure the won any government support/award back then. I would have to research.

Progessive Insurance was a sponsor!

Unlike Aptera....Point out all less safe attributes that an open motorcycle/ autoclycle do not have.

Without a VIN number and current crash test to reference, it makes it hard to talk about that but you could mention the old Aptera exceeded the FMVSS regulations

A broad stable 88” front wheel stance. Wider tha many cars.

And sEV, not an ICE vehicle

Focus on how this autocycle is more like a car than a motorcycle . e.g.

Sway bar

ABS

Stability Control

Torque vectoring ( most cars do not this, which complements stability) AWD adds more stability

The old Aptera had passing cross wind testing to 110 mph. The new it more aerodynamic and weight is 1800-2200 pounds!

Low center of gravity with batteries in belly and up to three in wheel motor add to stability “compared to cars”

Seatbelts

Air bags

Completely enclosed with a safety cage, like a Formula 1 car. Passeneger protected from the weather in climate control vehicle

Steering wheel ( like a car, not a motorcycle)

Automatic driving ( no shifting like a motorcycle)

Size comparison

The composite body does not burn ( per Nathan Arnstrong, It has fire inhibitors in the composite)

Dent proof body

Rear view and side view videos ( as mirrors may not be used )

How it is not like a.... And list the “other autocycles ( Polaris Slingshot, Vanderhall, etc )

Just a brain dump but I can come back and review and add...

🤔Do we have readers from these states( AK, MT, WY, NY, MA, and ME ) that can ask this question in there state and report back:

It may be an old question but worth asking, while they work out these hopeful changes...

My friend “Chris😉 ” from CA is coming to visit me in my state and will be driving his www.apetra.us , an Autocycle, which is legally registered as a motorcycle in his state ( and *most states in the US) He can legally drive the Aptera with a car drivers license in his state and all the rest* If he comes to visit in my state and drives in this state...Does he now need a motorcycle license in our state or does that only apply to full time residents of our state? Can he be fined while driving it within our state with only his state issued license or just told to leave the state if he plans to stay and drive it here?

No cost to ask questions

Very interesting, @loswa. What was your source for this?

Great to see lots of green, though the sporadic few outliers will need to be remembered for road trips.

This brings up the related aspect discussed elsewhere that some states still require full motorcycle licenses to drive the Aptera (according to Aptera: AK, MT, WY, NY, MA, and ME), which could be an even bigger deal for owners if they ever live or drive through those states. This would also limit the ability for other family members and friends to drive your Aptera "car" in those states, if they do not have a motorcycle license.

Hopefully, these random autocycle regulation outliers go away through active lobbying and a desire to have a more consistent approach at the country/cross-states level. Car drivers are not accustomed to this type of variance in baseline driver licensing and equipment requirements when driving between states.

Just curious, what is the date of your "starting point" map? Thanks