Operation of motorcycles-disabled persons.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Rules for Motorcycles Used by People with Disabilities

This law changes motorcycle rules to allow people with disabilities to use motorcycles, including attaching wheelchairs and other assistive devices.

What This Bill Does

• Allows a person to sit on or astride a motorcycle seat that includes a wheelchair.
• Permits the attachment of a wheelchair or other assistive device to a motorcycle if it is designed for such attachments.
• Removes the requirement that handlebars must be at least 24 inches above the ground.

Who It Names or Affects

• People with disabilities who want to use motorcycles.
• Motorcycle manufacturers and sellers who may need to design or sell motorcycles suitable for people with disabilities.

Terms To Know

Assistive device

A tool, equipment, or system that helps a person with a disability perform tasks more easily.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify how motorcycles must be modified to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
• It is unclear if insurance companies will cover damages related to the new rules for people with disabilities using motorcycles.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 22LSO-0381
Bill No.:

HB0081

Effective:

7/1/2022 12:00:00 AM

LSO No.:

22LSO-0381

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0032

Chapter No.:

44

Prime Sponsor:

Burt

Catch Title:

Operation of motorcycles-disabled persons.

Subject:

Amending motorcycle operation and equipment requirements to allow for use by persons with disabilities.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act amends motorcycle operation and equipment requirements to allow for use by persons with disabilities as follows:

The act specifies that a person may sit upon or astride a motorcycle seat, including a seat that incorporates a wheelchair; and

The act allows a person, wheelchair, or other assistive device to be attached to a motorcycle, which is not otherwise allowed, if the motorcycle is designed for the attachment.

The act also repeals a handlebar height restriction.
The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

22LSO-0381

ORIGINAL House

Bill No
.
HB0081

ENROLLED ACT NO. 32,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2022 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; amending motorcycle operation and equipment requirements to allow for use by persons with disabilities; repealing a handlebar height restriction; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 31
‑
5
‑
115(a), (b) and (k) is amended to read:

31
‑
5
‑
115.

Operation of motorcycles, autocycles and pedestrian vehicles.

(a)

A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon
or astride
the
permanent and regular
seat
attached thereto
designed to be used by the driver, including a seat that incorporates a wheelchair or other assistive device,
and shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one (1) person, in which event a passenger may ride upon
or astride
the
permanent and
regular seat if designed for two (2) persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.

(b)

A person shall ride
upon
a motorcycle
only upon or astride a seat designed to be used by the driver or, if the person is a passenger, a seat designed to be used by a passenger. If the seat is a saddle, a person shall
only
while sitting
sit
astride the
seat
saddle
, facing forward, with one (1) leg on each side of the motorcycle.

(k)

No person riding upon a motorcycle shall attach himself or the motorcycle to any other moving vehicle on a roadway. This does not prohibit
:

(i)

A
ttaching a motorcycle trailer or motorcycle semitrailer to a motorcycle if the trailer or semitrailer
was
is
designed for the attachment
;

(ii)

Attaching a person, wheelchair or other assistive device as defined in W.S. 31
‑
1
‑
101(a)(xxxiii) to a motorcycle if the motorcycle is designed for the attachment
.

Section 2
.

W.S. 31
‑
5
‑
115(n) is repealed.

Section 3
.

This act is effective July 1, 2022
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1