Home Rafting Guidebook Travel 🔍 Search 🔍
Rafting Guidebook Travel 🔍 Search
Fast Fred Ruddock: Ocoee River guiding and frugal travel expert in Colombia and Latin America

Wyoming Motorcycle Laws & Helmet Requirements

Wyoming Motorcycle Laws and Information

Legislature | State Motorcyclists Rights Organization (SMRO)

Motorcycle helmet law:

31 5 115. Operation of motorcycles and pedestrian vehicles.

(o) No minor shall operate or ride nor shall the operator permit a minor to ride upon a motorcycle unless he is wearing protective headgear securely fastened on his head, and of a type which complies with standards established by the superintendent. This subsection does not apply to persons riding within an enclosed cab nor to persons operating or riding a moped. This subsection only applies to motorcycles used on public highways, streets and thoroughfares.

Other motorcycle laws:

31 5 115. Operation of motorcycles and pedestrian vehicles.

(a) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto and shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one (1) person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two (2) persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.

(b) A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one (1) leg on each side of the motorcycle.

(c) No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle or other article which prevents him from keeping both hands on the handlebars, or obstructs his vision, or interferes with the operation of the motorcycle.

(d) No operator shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.

(e) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. Two (2) motorcycles may be driven abreast in the same lane by consent of both motorcycle drivers.

(f) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass any vehicle in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except another motorcycle. The operator of a motorcycle overtaking another motorcycle in the same lane shall first match the speed of the motorcycle being overtaken.

(g) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

(h) Subsections (f) and (g) of this section do not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.

(j) Motorcycles shall not be operated three (3) or more abreast in a single lane.

(k) No person riding upon a motorcycle shall attach himself or the motorcycle to any other moving vehicle on a roadway. This does not prohibit attaching a motorcycle trailer or motorcycle semitrailer to a motorcycle if the trailer or semitrailer was designed for the attachment.

(m) Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, shall be equipped with footrests for the passenger.

(n) No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebars so positioned that the hands of the operator, when upon the grips, are above shoulder height when the operator is sitting astride the vehicle seat with the vehicle in an upright position.

(o) No minor shall operate or ride nor shall the operator permit a minor to ride upon a motorcycle unless he is wearing protective headgear securely fastened on his head, and of a type which complies with standards established by the superintendent. This subsection does not apply to persons riding within an enclosed cab nor to persons operating or riding a moped. This subsection only applies to motorcycles used on public highways, streets and thoroughfares.

(p) Any person operating a motorcycle or pedestrian vehicle shall have the headlamps of the motorcycle or pedestrian vehicle activated at all times, including daylight hours.

(q) Operators of motorcycles operating in an officially authorized parade are exempt from subsections (e) through (o) of this section.

(r) The superintendent is authorized to approve or disapprove protective headgear required herein, and to issue and enforce regulations establishing standards and specifications for the approval thereof and to the sale and use of the equipment as provided in W.S. 31 5 932 through 31 5 934 for other vehicle safety equipment. The standard for protective headgear shall meet or exceed the Z90.1 1971 standard of the American National Standards Institute. However, all existing equipment meeting the Z90.1 1966 standard of the American National Standards Institute shall be accepted.

(s) This section applies to motor driven cycles unless otherwise provided.

Fast Fred holding his second NC motorcycle helmet ticket in 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. I even wrote the Ocoee River Guidebook. I have also travel extensively in Latin America. Check out my online Mexico Travel Guide.

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

Questions & Connect

Got questions about solo travel, Latin America, or budgeting? I'd be happy to give you honest answers!

Gear & Support

My Travel & Video Gear: Curious how I travel so light? Dig into my Amazon Shop for an inside look at the gear I carry. (Purchases via this shop provide a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Tip Jar: Your support helps fund the next adventure of cup of coffee!