Prior to the law’s enactment, drivers had to obtain a motorcycle endorsement or license to operate the vehicle.
Ohio Rep. Niraj Antani, Ohio House Speaker Clifford Rosenberger and other lawmakers toured Polaris Industries in Wilmington on Monday morning. The company manufactures products like snowmobiles, ATVs, military vehicles and the three-wheel auto cycles.
Lawmakers said it didn’t make sense to require drivers to have a motorcycle endorsement when the vehicles have a steering wheel and operators “don’t straddle” the seat.
He said the law could positively impact manufacturers like Polaris as well as the dealers who sell the vehicles.
“The potential is unlimited,” he said. “We think a lot of people will buy these.”
Justin Jones, of Ride One Power Sports in Springfield, said the business sells auto cycles including the Polaris Slingshot. The store expects more customers interested in buying one of the speciality vehicles.
The law “opens up the opportunity to anyone who has a normal driver’s license,” Jones said.
Prices range from $21,000 to $29,000 for the three-wheel vehicles. Ohio isn’t the first state to soften the law on three-wheel vehicle operation — and Antani said Ohio won’t be the last state to adopt similar laws.
Rosenberger said the Wilmington facility, located at 3435 Airborne Road, continues to be a “thriving business and job creator” in southwestern Ohio. He said the tour of Polaris gave lawmakers the opportunity to learn more about how the legislature can “break down barriers for Ohio businesses.”
“Helping auto cycles get to market faster will help Polaris Industries expand their operation in Ohio and create more jobs,” Antani said. “Ohio is now on the cutting edge of these new age vehicles and the automotive industry.”
About the Author