Life cycle of the autocycle
Autocycle definition
If one accepts a cyclemotor as a cycle with a small engine clipped about its frame, then what defines an autocycle? The staff of The Motor Cycle in their publication Autocycles and Cyclemotors (first available in 1949) had a pretty good stab at defining the term: “The generally accepted answer is a machine on the lines of a bicycle with pedals, pedalling gear and an engine not exceeding, in size, 100cc. An essential of an autocycle is that there are pedals and pedalling gear. It is these which differentiate the autocycle from the motorcycle.”
Later, the point is made that the autocycle is a complete (manufactured) machine and not a clip-on or attachment to a cycle. The word ‘autocycle’ is common to English speaking nations, but there are terms for similar types – but not identical machines – from other countries, with the French Vélomoteur perhaps the best known.
Vélomoteur
Popular from the early 1920s onwards, the vélomoteur was, like the English autocycle, of under 100cc and with pedals. Later, some gained sophistication with small gearboxes and clutches but to comply with beneficial legislation, the pedals remained. The concept took off in a big way in France where enlightened authorities required no tax for such, nor even numberplates. Simply provide means of payment at the cycle or motorcycle shop selling their favoured brand, top up the fuel tank with premix (most were deflector piston two-strokes), pedal down the road, drop the decompressor lever and off you went.
Smaller makers – including MR (Mandille et Roux),
