S.B. 119: COMMITTEE SUMMARY MOTORCYCLE EQUIPMENT
Senate Bill 119
Sponsor: Senator Michael J. Bouchard Committee: Transportation and Tourism
Date Completed: 2-21-95
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require that a motorcycle be equipped with adequate seats and foot rests or pegs, and that the foot rests or pegs be mounted in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. Further, the bill provides that a passenger could not ride on a motorcycle unless his or her feet could rest on the assigned foot rests or pegs. In the absence of manufacturer’s specifications, foot rests or pegs for the passenger would have to be located on the same horizontal plane as those of the operator.
Currently, the Code requires any person operating or riding on a motorcycle (or any person under 19 years old operating a moped) to wear a crash helmet on his or her head; the helmet must be approved by the Department of State Police. The bill specifies that a crash helmet would have to be properly fastened to the person’s head. Instead of being approved by the Department of State Police, a helmet would have to meet the Federal standards (49 CFR 571.218) prescribed for helmets and have the symbol “DOT” affixed in the manner prescribed.
MCL 257.658 Legislative Analyst: G. Towne
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: B. Baker
S9596\Ssb 119SA
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
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