For motorcycle owners, we all agree that there is nothing quite like taking your bike out on a long cruise through the beautiful scenery of Texas with a loved one as your passenger. Catching the view of an unforgettable Texas sunset while letting the wind hit your face, is an experience we all want to share. Texas lawmakers understand that connection, but beginning September 1, 2015, they began to crack down on the safety of motorcycle passengers across the state.
House Bill 3838, also known as Malorie's law, now requires motorcycles designed with a passenger’s seat to have handholds and foot rests for passengers.
This was in response to a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred in 2010. Malorie Bullock, a 19-year-old student from Texas A&M University in Commerce, died while riding passenger on her boyfriend’s bike during a night ride. The driver took a turn too hard and although both were wearing a helmet, the passenger did not make it through the crash.
The details of the bill constitute a leather strap as a handhold, or the bottom of a “sissy-bar” or luggage rack, so long as your passenger can comfortably and safely grab onto it. This especially pertains to passengers who don’t want to hold on to the driver’s waist, even though most bike riding courses teach that this is the best way to secure yourself as a passenger.
Law enforcement stated that violation of the law will most likely be treated like a traffic violation, and would be a Class C Misdemeanor and up to a $500 fine.
If you own a motorcycle and have recently been injured in an accident, or if you are curious to learn more about motorcycle law and safety, contact Colley & Colley law firm in Tyler, Texas for a free consultation. We support bikers across Texas and the country and work hard to keep our fellow riders safe.
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