No. H087/03
For release August 13, 2003

TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES 
REGULATIONS TO PERMIT THE AVAILABILITY 
IN CANADA OF THREE-WHEELED 
VEHICLES AND ENCLOSED MOTORCYCLES

OTTAWA - Transport Minister David Collenette today announced new regulations allowing for the availability in Canada of three-wheeled vehicles and enclosed motorcycles - motorcycles equipped with a structure that partially or fully encloses the occupants.

“The new regulations give Canadians access to a greater variety of transportation options and also improve on the previous motorcycle safety regulations,” said Mr. Collenette.

The new regulations were implemented to address the unique design characteristics of three-wheeled vehicles and enclosed motorcycles. Before the new regulations came into effect, most of these vehicles could not be sold in Canada because they did not meet Canadian safety standards.

These vehicles will now have to pass a frontal crash test, be equipped with seat belts, and have impact-resistant fuel tanks. As well, three-wheeled vehicles must meet stringent stability standards.

New regulations have also been put in place to revise the classification of “motorcycle” to include four new subclasses: “open motorcycle,” “enclosed motorcycle,” “limited-speed motorcycle” and “motor tricycle.” All motorcycle subclasses must meet new fuel system integrity safety standards to help prevent fuel leakage in the event of an accident.

While the provincial and territorial governments have jurisdiction for after-market additions to motor vehicles, Transport Canada develops standards and regulations for new vehicles manufactured or imported for use in Canada.

Regulations allowing three-wheeled vehicles and enclosed motorcycles to be available in Canada come into effect August 13, 2003, upon publication in the Canada Gazette Part II. The remaining regulations addressing fuel system integrity standards, vehicle stability standards for three-wheeled vehicles, and the new classifications for motorcycles will be effective September 1, 2004.

-30-

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at  apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.