What's happening
This bill prohibits children under six years old from riding on motorcycles, unless seated in a sidecar.
Why it matters
Enhances child safety on motorcycles. by setting a minimum age limit, recognizing that young children are at significantly higher risk of injury or death in motorcycle accidents due to their size and inability to use safety restraints effectively.
Limits parental and operator discretion. by creating a clear legal standard, reducing ambiguity about whether it is safe or allowed for very young children to ride on motorcycles, which could help in enforcement and public awareness.
Allows for safer alternatives. by permitting children under six to ride only if seated in a sidecar, which generally offers more protection than riding directly on the motorcycle, potentially reducing harm in the event of a crash.
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Who cares
Motorcycle operators
The bill would prohibit them from carrying children under six unless the children are seated in an attached sidecar.
Parents and guardians of children under six
Those arranging motorcycle rides for young children would need to use an attached sidecar.
Traffic enforcement officers
The bill would create a restriction on motorcycle passengers under six, with an exception for children seated in attached sidecars.
Headline styles
Ban Young Kids on Motorcycles
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
994
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2019
Introduced by Sen. YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting children under the age of six years from riding on a motorcycle
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1251 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision (e) to read as follows:
(e) No person shall operate a motorcycle while any child under the age of six years is riding upon such motorcycle; provided, however, that the provisions of this subdivision shall not be deemed to prohibit the operation of a motorcycle when such child is seated in a sidecar affixed to such motorcycle.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03080-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting children under the age of six years from riding on a motorcycle
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would establish six years as the minimum age for one to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill adds a new subdivision (e) to Section 1251 of the vehicle and traffic law, prohibiting operation of a motorcycle while any child under the age of six is riding upon such motorcycle. These provisions do not prohibit a child under the age, of six from riding in a sidecar affixed to a motorcycle.
Section 2 provides an effective date of the first of September next succeeding the date it shall have become law.
Justification
Motorcycles are a relatively dangerous means of transport for any indi- vidual. Although they make up only 3% of registered vehicles in the US, motorcyclists account for 11% of all highway traffic fatalities; furthermore, 80% of all motorcycle accidents are fatal, as opposed to 20% for automobiles.
Riding safely on the back of a motorcycle requires strength, awareness, and physical coordination. Children at a very young age do not possess the adequate skills and experience in these areas to be passengers on motorcycles, and are thus exposed to a dangerous and preventable risk. They also pose an additional distraction to the individual operating the motorcycle.
This legislation seeks to make New York the sixth state to enact a mini- mum age to ride on a motorcycle, further protecting the welfare of our youngest citizens and those who share the road with motorcyclists.
Legislative history
2017,2018: S.530 Referred to Transportation 2015,2016: S.3437 Referred to Transportation 2014: S.6456 Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.