KRS 189.285: Regulations for operating and riding on motorcycles -- Headgear

requirements -- Definitions of motorcycle and moped.

(1) A person shall not operate a motorcycle on a highway:

(a) Except when that person is in possession of a valid motorcycle operator' s

license; and

(b) Unless that person uses an approved eye -protective device, in the manner

prescribed by the secretary of the Transportation Cabinet, at all times such

vehicle is in motion; and

(c) Unless the motorcycle is equipped with a rear -view mirror as required under

KRS 189.130.

(2) A person shall not operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle:

(a) Except on a seat permanently attached to that vehicle and specifically

designed to carry the operator or passenger in a safe manner; and

(b) Except w hen using a footrest permanently attached to that vehicle and

specifically designed to carry that person in a safe manner.

(3) The following persons shall be required to wear protective headgear, in the manner

prescribed by the secretary of the Transportat ion Cabinet, at all times the

motorcycles they are riding are in motion on a public highway:

(a) A person under the age of twenty -one (21) years who is operating a

motorcycle or who is a passenger on a motorcycle or in a sidecar attachment;

(b) A person who possesses a motorcycle instruction permit and who is operating

a motorcycle; and

(c) A person who has held a valid motorcycle operator's license, or combination

motor vehicle -motorcycle operator's license, for less than one (1) year and

who is operating a motorcycle.

(4) A motorcycle operator authorized to drive a motorcycle on an instruction permit

shall not be authorized to carry passengers.

(5) The secretary of the Transportation Cabinet shall by regulation fix minimum

standards for approved protective headgear and for approved eye-protective devices,

and prescribe the manner in which they shall be used. The secretary shall maintain

and cause to be published a list of approved protective headgear and of approved

eye-protective devices. The secretary may prescribe by regulation minimum

standards for other protective devices and require the use of those devices.

(6) As used in this chapter:

(a) "Motorcycle" means any motor-driven vehicle having a seat or saddle for the

use of the operator and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in

contact with the ground, but excluding tractors and vehicles on which the

operator and passengers ri de in an enclosed cab and excluding a moped as

defined in this subsection; and

(b) "Moped" means either a motorized bicycle whose frame design may include

one (1) or more horizontal crossbars supporting a fuel tank so long as it also

has pedals, or a motor ized bicycle with a step -through type frame which may

or may not have pedals rated no more than two (2) brake horsepower, a

cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty (50) cubic centimeters, an automatic

transmission not requiring clutching or shifting by the o perator after the drive

system is engaged, and capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty

(30) miles per hour.