Iowa's
current motorcycle laws:
321.275 Operation of motorcycles and motorized
bicycles.
1. General. The motor vehicle laws apply to the operators of
motorcycles and motorized bicycles to the extent practically
applicable.
2. Riders.
a. Motorized bicycles. A person operating a motorized bicycle
on the highways shall not carry any other person on the vehicle.
b. Motorcycles . A person shall not operate or ride a motorcycle
on the highways with another person on the motorcycle unless
the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person. The
additional passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular
seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly
attached to the motorcycle at the rear of the operator. The
motorcycle shall be equipped with footrests for the passenger
unless the passenger is riding in a sidecar or enclosed cab.
The motorcycle operator shall not carry any person nor shall
any other person ride in a position that will interfere with
the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the
operator.
3. Sitting position. A person operating a motorcycle or motorized
bicycle shall ride only upon the vehicle's permanent and regular
attached seat. Every person riding upon the vehicle shall be
sitting astride the seat, facing forward with one leg on either
side of the vehicle.
4. Use of traffic lanes. Persons shall not operate motorcycles
or motorized bicycles more than two abreast in a single lane.
Except for persons operating such vehicles two abreast, a motor
vehicle shall not be operated in a manner depriving a motorcycle
or motorized bicycle operator of the full use of a lane. A motorcycle
or motorized bicycle shall not be operated between lanes of
traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. The operator
of a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall not overtake and
pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken
unless the vehicle being overtaken is a motorcycle or motorized
bicycle.
5. Headlights on. A person shall not operate a 1977 or later
model year motorcycle or any model year motorized bicycle upon
the highways without displaying at least one lighted headlamp
of the type described in section 321.409 . However, this subsection
is subject to the exceptions with respect to parked vehicles
as provided in this chapter.
6. Packages. The operator of a motorcycle or motorized bicycle
shall not carry any package, bundle, or other article which
prevents the operator from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
7. Parades. The provisions of this section do not apply to motorcycles
or motorized bicycles when used in a parade authorized by proper
permit from local authorities.
8. Bicycle safety flags required on motorized bicycles. When
operated on a highway, a motorized bicycle shall have a bicycle
safety flag which extends not less than five feet above the
ground attached to the rear of the motorized bicycle. The bicycle
safety flag shall be triangular in shape with an area of not
less than thirty square inches, and be Day-Glo in color.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.275]
89 Acts, ch 184, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1075, §22; 98 Acts,
ch 1178, §3
For applicable scheduled fines, see § 805.8A , subsection
6, paragraph b, and subsection 9
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