Senate Bill S6456

                                BILL NUMBER:S6456

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, 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:

This is a new bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the
date it shall have become law.