The Motorcycle, Motor-Driven Cycle & Motorized Bicycle
Since a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or motorized bicycle provides convenient, inexpensive transportation but offers little physical protection, certain laws and safety rules must be complied with if a cyclist expects to remain injury-free. The operators of these vehicles must obey the same traffic laws as operators of other vehicles. A motorcycle, as with other vehicles, is no safer than the driver.
The safety and control depends on the alertness, knowledge, attitude, and operating skills of the operator. The best defense is good defensive driving. Look ahead and think ahead in order to react quickly to changing driving conditions.
Because of its construction, the motorcycle has many advantages over a car or truck. In turn, it also has some disadvantages.
- Advantages: The motorcycle offers unlimited visibility, almost 360 degrees of vision. Even though the operator has great visibility, drivers of cars and trucks cannot see you as well as you can see them.
- Disadvantages: The chances of being injured in an accident are greater on a motorcycle than in a car or truck because there is not a metal shell around you as there is in a car or truck.
A motorcycle is more affected by road conditions than a car or truck is. A rough or wet road surface can cause some difficulty to the driver who is not paying attention. The balance of a motorcycle changes with weight, speed and road surfaces. Paved surfaces increase the balance and gravel surfaces decrease the balance. As speed increases, balance increases.
Arkansas law states that all persons must obey the following regulations while operating a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle.
- All operators and passengers must wear eye protection in the form of protective glasses, goggles, or transparent face shields. Protective headgear must also be worn by persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.
- The headlight and tail light must be on at all time, day or night, when the motorcycle is in operation.
- The operator will not carry a passenger unless there are footrests and handholds for the passenger. There can be only one passenger. No driver under the age of sixteen (16) years is allowed to carry a passenger.
- Operators must obey all traffic laws at all times.
Before any part of the operator's test will be given, the following conditions must be met:
- There must be a plate or factory installed decal showing the engine displacement in cubic centimeters. If one is not on the motorcycle, then other proof must be furnished.
- The motorcycle must be brought to the testing station, either by a licensed operator or hauled in another vehicle. The person wanting the license can not ride it to the testing site unless they possess a valid instruction permit for a motor cycle.
- If the person wanting the license is under 18 years old, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to sign the application.
Before the road test, the motorcycle will be inspected to see that is equipped in the following manner:
- Registration certificate and license plate mounted on the rear properly.
- Proof of Insurance.
- At least one, no more than 2, headlights which will give a white light at least 500 feet in front in the dark.
- A red reflector on the rear that can be seen from at least 100 feet.
- A red tail light on the rear in addition to the red reflector that can be seen from at least 500 feet.
- A horn that works. No bell, siren, or whistle is allowed.
- A standard muffler.