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Kansas' motorcycle laws

Kansas Motorcycle Laws & Helmet Requirements

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Kansas' current motorcycle laws:

8-1598

Chapter 8.--AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES
Article 15.--UNIFORM ACT REGULATING TRAFFIC; RULES OF THE ROAD
8-1598. Operation of motorcycles; equipment required for operators and riders. (a) No person under the age of 18 years shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle, unless wearing a helmet which complies with minimum guidelines established by the national highway traffic safety administration pursuant to the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act of 1966 for helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users.
(b) No person shall operate a motorcycle unless such person is wearing an eye-protective device which shall consist of protective glasses, goggles or transparent face shields which are shatter proof and impact resistant, except when the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen which has a minimum height of 10 inches measured from the center of the handlebars.
(c) This section shall not apply to persons riding within an enclosed cab or on a golf cart, nor shall it apply to any person operating or riding any industrial or cargo-type vehicle having three wheels and commonly known as a truckster.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1598; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 30; L. 1976, ch. 51, § 1; L. 1979, ch. 41, § 1; L. 1982, ch. 36, § 1; L. 1997, ch. 80, § 2; July 1.

ABATE of Kansas

ABATE of Kansas, Inc. is a neutral organization that unites all motorcycle riders and enthusiasts to safeguard their rights and influence state and federal legislation.

  • Primary Goal: To put motorcycle legislation in its proper perspective by lobbying against bills considered unfair or discriminatory to motorcyclists.

  • Key Activities: Engaging in educational programs, public awareness campaigns, and other proposals designed to promote safe motorcycling and prevent accidents.

  • Stance: They are strong advocates for the right to choose regarding helmet use (Anti-Helmet Law, not Anti-Helmet), and they monitor all bills and regulations impacting motorcycling.

The organization is divided into numerous districts throughout the state to organize and mobilize local efforts.

 

Fast Fred Ruddock with a Helmet Ticket in Polk County North Carolina

About Fast Fred

My life has been a dedicated blend of open road adventure and relentless advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights. I'm "Fast Fred" Ruddock, and my journey on two wheels began as a teenager. Over the years, I’ve owned 13 Harleys and several other motorcycles, machines that were far more than just transportation. They represented a freedom that I have fought to protect. Recognizing the power of information, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, skills I immediately put to use for the movement.

My commitment to advocacy led me to a complete immersion in ABATE of South Carolina (ABATE of SC). I quickly moved through the ranks, starting by developing the ABATE of SC website in 2001 and serving as the Berkeley/Dorchester Chapter Coordinator. This progressed to serving as Lowcountry Area Coordinator, where I successfully shifted our local focus decisively toward rights and rapidly increased membership. From 2003 to 2007, I served as the State Coordinator, where I helped coordinate several key legislative victories, including the passage of the Purple Heart license tag bill and the successful repeal of unnecessary handlebar height restrictions. My primary strategic goal was always to achieve widespread political influence by organizing a chapter in every single county.

On the national front, I extended my influence by serving as the State Representative on the board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) for several years during the 2000s. This role ensured that the concerns of South Carolina riders were directly represented in critical federal legislative discussions. Crucially, I also worked to shape public opinion: I wrote articles related to motorcycle rights for various magazines and had a small column in Easyriders magazine for several years, using media to educate riders nationwide on the issues impacting their freedom.

My activism was not only about lobbying but also direct action and constitutional challenges. I participated in the Myrtle Beach civil disobedience against local helmet laws, contributing to the legal groundwork for the eventual overturning of that restrictive law through a landmark SC Supreme Court case. I also challenged helmet laws personally, fighting three tickets in court as an act of civil disobedience in several states. I lobbied in multiple state capitols with me friends across the country. My dedication continued after my ABATE leadership, as I served as the Director of Bikers Of Less Tolerance (BOLT) of South Carolina.

Today, while I also enjoy working as a river guide and sharing my travel adventures, my legacy remains rooted in the fight for motorcycle freedom. I have spent decades on the front lines, utilizing both political strategy, legal challenges, and national media to protect the rights of every person on two wheels.

My Other Adventures

I'm a professional whitewater guide and kayak instructor. I grew up rafting, sailing, and surfing, and I spend my North American summers guiding on world-class whitewater. I have spent much of my adult life riding motorcycles and paddling kayaks.

Raft with me: Check out Fast Fred Rafts for details.

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