Autocycle

/ˈɔːtəsaɪkəl/ noun

Definition

An early motorized vehicle that was a hybrid between a motorcycle and a small car, popular in the early 20th century.

Etymology

From auto- (self/automobile) + cycle (two-wheeled vehicle). This term describes experimental vehicles from the automotive era's early days, combining motorcycle simplicity with auto-like protection.

Kelly Says

The autocycle was essentially the ancestor of today's three-wheeled vehicles and scooters—it emerged in a period when the line between motorcycles and cars was blurry, and manufacturers were experimenting frantically with what motorized transportation should look like.

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