Ticker Beacon Hill weighs new regs for 3-wheel autocycles; R.I. single-family home prices up

Proposed regulations of autocycles will be on the schedule when Massachusetts lawmakers hold a virtual public hearing Tuesday.

An autocycle is a three-wheeled motor vehicle that meets federal safety standards for a motorcycle. Unlike motorcycles, however, autocycles typically include a steering wheel, a seat for the driver and occasionally seats for passengers. The driver and passengers are not required to straddle the vehicle like a motorcycle.

One of the bills under consideration would create new safety measures for autocycles including requiring the driver and passengers to wear helmets, requiring autocycle manufacturers to equip the vehicles with safety belts which must be worn by drivers and passengers, and barring children under eight from riding in one.

Anyone who operates an autocycle without wearing a safety helmet or safety belts would face a fine of no less than $25 under the bill.

R.I home prices up 

The median price of a single-family home in Rhode Island has continued to rise as the number of sales has slowed down, according to the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.

The median price rose 12.7% in the past year, while the number of single-family home sales fell 22.3% year over year, according to association data. Pending sales also decreased slightly.

Agueda Del Borgo, association president, said the housing market will likely show more tempered activity in 2022 but the association still expects sales to remain strong.

There were similar trends in the condominium sector, but pending sales rose 10.8% year over year. The association said that could indicate that frustrated buyers in the single-family home market may be focusing on condominiums.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3DWHkZP