The motorcycle scene ain’t what it used to be—time’s rolling on, and the riders are getting grayer. That means more trikes tearing up the road and a fresh wave of three-wheeled machines hitting the market.
But old-school riders ain’t hanging up their leathers just yet, and more badass women are throwing a leg over and hitting the road. This surge in three-wheel thunder is cranking up the global trike market, which pulled in around $2.6 billion in 2022 and is set to roar past $5.2 billion by 2032.
But here’s where things get murky—what the hell even counts as a “trike” anymore? Back in the day, they were the brainchildren of grease-stained gearheads, chopping up bikes and cars to slap a third wheel on. Most ran twin rear wheels, raw and rugged. Then came the kit-builders, outfits like Lehman, Champion, and Roadsmith, giving weekend warriors a shortcut to three-wheel freedom.
Harley-Davidson put trikes on the map with the Tri-Glide in 2008, but that was just the beginning. Wildcard machines from Campagna (T-Rex), Bombardier (Can-Am Spyder), Polaris (Slingshot), and Elio started blurring the lines, rolling out rigs with two wheels up front, cockpits, and even steering wheels. And the big boys—Toyota, Peugeot, Volkswagen—are cooking up next-gen rides that push the definition of what a trike even is.
Car makers are cranking out these sleek, fuel-sipping, three-wheeled machines—not just for the thrill, but because they dodge federal auto safety standards like airbags and ABS, making them easier to sell in the U.S.
For years, these rides were lumped in with motorcycles, meaning you needed a motorcycle license to pilot one, and in many states, you had to strap on a helmet. But that’s changing fast. Autocycle manufacturers have been pushing hard to get their riders exempt from helmet laws and motorcycle licensing requirements. Let’s face it—taking a safety course meant for two- wheelers is a joke for these machines, and wearing a helmet inside an enclosed cockpit? Not gonna happen.
Here in Ohio, House Bill 429 kicked in on September 11th back in 2016, laying down new rules for autocycles. Ohio rolled with 40 other states in setting the record straight—an “autocycle” ain’t a motorcycle. By officially recognizing it as its own beast, the state made it easier than ever for people to hop in and hit the road on these three-wheeled machines The big win? You do not need a motorcycle endorsement to rip around in one—just a regular driver’s license will do. That means more riders hitting the road without the red tape, and three-wheel machines getting the green light for even more freedom.
Meanwhile, advocates are kicking ass on the helmet front, getting most states to throw out the helmet laws for these three-wheel beasts. The only places you gotta wear one now are West Virginia and five other states if you’re under a certain age—unless your ride’s got a closed cockpit, then you’re good to go.
As for the license? Nine states still want you to get a motorcycle endorsement to ride a three- wheeler, but New York’s the last major state holding onto that rule for autocycles. No worries, though—two bills are already in the works to make sure riders get the freedom they deserve.
With the rise of autocycles—half bike, half car—the game’s changing, and we’re gonna need fresh rules to keep up. In 20 years, the streets could look completely different. Suburban and rural America might hold on to their old-school rides, but in the city, cars are already a pain in the ass—traffic’s a nightmare, parking’s impossible, and the cost of owning a car is out of control.
But here’s the thing—the future of autocycles ain’t just about saving time or dealing with city madness. These three-wheeled machines are built for the pure thrill of the ride. Part Easy Rider, part easy chair, they’re made for riders who want more comfort and protection, but still crave that open-road freedom. Forget parking. Forget stopping. It’s all about keeping the wheels rolling and the wind in your face.
