Connecticut's current motorcycle laws:
Sec. 14-289b. Operation of motorcycles.
(a) The operator of a motorcycle shall be entitled
to the full use of any single traffic lane, but the operation
of more than two motorcycles abreast in any single traffic lane
is prohibited.
(b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not (1) overtake and
pass, in the same single traffic lane occupied by such motorcycle,
any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or (2) operate a motorcycle
between lanes of traffic.
(c) Any person operating a motorcycle manufactured after January
1, 1980, on a highway, shall illuminate the head lamp of such
motorcycle at all times it is being operated.
(d) No provision of this section shall apply to a police officer
during the performance of his official duties.
(e) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall
have committed an infraction.
(1967, P.A. 396, S. 1; P.A. 75-577, S. 113, 126; P.A. 79-590;
P.A. 84-429, S. 41.)
Sec.
14-289c. Riding motorcycle sidesaddle; carrying of passenger
on motorcycle not so designed. Any person who rides
sidesaddle on a motorcycle and any operator of a motorcycle
who permits such riding or who carries a passenger on any motorcycle
not designed for passengers shall have committed an infraction.
(1967, P.A. 396, S. 2; P.A. 75-577, S. 115, 126.)
Sec.
14-289d. Vision-protecting devices for motorcyclists.
(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue regulations,
in accordance with nationally accepted standards, concerning
specifications for vision-protecting devices, including but
not limited to goggles, glasses, face shields, windshields and
wind screens for use by operators of motorcycles.
(b) Failure to wear either goggles, glasses or a face shield
of a type which conforms to the minimum specifications as called
for by such regulations shall be an infraction. The provisions
of this subsection shall not apply to operators of motorcycles
equipped with a wind screen or windshield which conforms to
the minimum specifications called for by such regulations.
(1967, P.A. 375, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-577, S. 114, 126.)
Sec. 14-289e.
Headgear for motorcyclists and passengers. Section
14-289e is repealed.
(1967, P.A. 376, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-369; P.A. 76-326, S. 1, 2.)
Sec. 14-289f.
Liability insurance required for motorcycles. No owner
of any motorcycle, as defined in section 14-1, registered in
this state may operate or permit the operation of such motorcycle
unless it has been insured for the amounts required by section
14-112 with an exclusion in personal injury coverage for passengers.
Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
(P.A. 84-291, S. 1; 84-546, S. 155, 173.)
History: P.A. 84-546 made technical change for statutory consistency.
See Sec. 14-12(f)(5) re proof of insurance requirement prior
to registration.
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Sec. 14-289g.
Protective headgear for motorcyclists and passengers under eighteen
years old. Regulations. Penalty. (a) On and after
January 1, 1990, no person under eighteen years of age may operate
a motorcycle, as defined in section 14-1, and no person under
the age of eighteen may be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless
such person is wearing protective headgear of a type which conforms
to the minimum specifications established by regulations adopted
under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations
in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and the provisions
of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 571.218,
as amended, establishing specifications for protective headgear
for use by operators and passengers of motorcycles.
(c) Any person subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of
this section who fails to wear protective headgear which conforms
to the minimum specifications established by such regulations
shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined not less
than ninety dollars.
Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association (CMRA)
The CMRA functions as Connecticut's primary SMRO, advocating for the rights, safety, and interests of motorcyclists within the state. Their activities generally include lobbying the state legislature on motorcycle-related laws (like helmet and licensing issues), promoting rider safety and awareness, and participating in charitable events.The CMRA has been cited in historical accounts as the Connecticut Motorcycle Rights Organization which was active in the formation of the national movement.
