HOUSE FILE 53

BY  H. MILLER

A BILL FOR

An Act to allow the use of motorcycles equipped with detachable stabilizing rear wheels on Iowa roads.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  321.435  Motorcycles equipped with detachable stabilizing wheels.
   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a motor vehicle that is originally designed as a two-wheeled motorcycle and is modified using conversion hardware which allows for the attachment and detachment of two stabilizing rear wheels may be operated on a highway with the stabilizing wheels attached in accordance with the provisions of this chapter applicable to motorcycles. A motorcycle shall not be determined to be reconstructed based on the sole fact that two stabilizing wheels have been added as described in this section.
EXPLANATION
   This bill authorizes operation of motorcycles equipped with detachable stabilizing wheels on the rear of the motorcycle. The additional wheels are typically installed using an assembly mounted on brackets which are permanently attached to the frame of the motorcycle. The assembly containing the wheels can be removed from the brackets to convert the motorcycle back to two-wheeled operation.
   Under current law, the term “motorcycle” is defined to include motor vehicles designed to travel on not more than three wheels. The bill does not change that definition, but allows a motorcycle designed to travel on two wheels but equipped with detachable stabilizing rear wheels to be operated on Iowa roads as a motorcycle. The bill states that a motorcycle is not considered “reconstructed” solely because of the addition of detachable stabilizing rear wheels.