HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania motorcyclists gained two victories Nov. 18 when Gov. Josh Shapiro signed laws into effect regarding motorcycle inspections and the Lemon Law.
One will extend Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law to include motorcycles and will take effect in May 2025. For decades, Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law protected only car owners, leaving motorcyclists without safeguards for defective vehicles. This new legislation ensures that motorcycle owners are equally protected against significant, unrepairable defects, providing fairness and peace of mind to riders across the state.
Under the Lemon Law, customers who purchase or lease a vehicle registered in Pennsylvania are protected during the first year or 12,000 miles of ownership. If a significant defect arises during this period, manufacturers have three attempts to repair the issue. If the defect remains unresolved, customers are eligible for a replacement or a refund. Starting in May 2025, these protections will also apply to motorcycles.
The other law allows for year-round motorcycle safety inspections in Pennsylvania, beginning in January.
This change eliminates the restriction in Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code that limited motorcycle safety inspections to March through October. With motorcycles being sold and ridden throughout the year, this legislation ensures riders have the flexibility to maintain safety compliance year-round.
The legislation marks monumental victories for the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E. of PA), which has been advocating for the changes for decades. For more information about this legislation or A.B.A.T.E. of PA’s ongoing efforts to advocate for motorcyclists’ rights, contact A.B.A.T.E. of PA Legislative Coordinator, Ken Edwards at Ken.Edwards@abatepa.org or visit our website at abatepa.org.
