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Kentucky's motorcycle laws

Kentucky Motorcycle Laws & Helmet Requirements

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Kentucky's current motorcycle laws:

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.
(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 when 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 Transportation 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 ride 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 motorized 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 operator after the drive system is engaged, and capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour.
Effective: June 21, 2001
History: Amended 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 43, sec. 3, effective June 21, 2001. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 319, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2000; and ch. 393, sec. 47, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 21, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 194, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 349, sec. 8, effective June 17, 1978; ch. 434, sec. 6, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 6. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 74, Art. IV, sec. 20(10). -- Amended 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 203, sec. 36. -- Created 1968 Ky. Acts ch. 63, sec. 1.

Kentucky Motorcyclists Association (KMA)

  • Primary Mission: To protect the rights of motorcyclists through political action, legislative lobbying, and education. Like other State Motorcyclists' Rights Organizations (SMROs), a key focus is often on legislative issues related to motorcycling.

  • Advocacy and Legislative Efforts: The organization actively works to influence state legislation on topics relevant to motorcyclists, which can include:

    • Opposing mandatory helmet laws.

    • Promoting rider education and training programs.

    • Advocating for motorcycle-friendly road conditions and engineering.

    • Seeking stronger penalties for car drivers who cause accidents involving motorcyclists.

  • Education and Safety: While an advocacy group, ABATE chapters are often involved in promoting voluntary rider education and public awareness campaigns (e.g., "Share the Road" initiatives) to help prevent accidents.

  • Community and Charity: Kentucky ABATE chapters also engage in various community service and charitable events, such as toy runs and food drives.

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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