Rep. Jon Yates (R. Griffin) has introduced HB166 to repeal the maximum handlebar height on motorcycles, as well as allow for motorcyclists to safely and legally proceed through traffic lights that do not recognize the motorcycle. The bill is currently stalled in the House Public Safety Committee due to opposition by the Insurance lobby. Since Harley-Davidson, and a few other manufacturers currently produce stock motorcycles with handlebars that do not meet the requirements, dealerships around the state are concerned about the economic and liability impact should this restriction remain in effect. Joey Brush, legislative lobbyist for ABATE of Georgia has asked all dealers who could be impacted to contact the leadership in the House of Representatives asking for their support to repeal this old law, that has no basis for motorcycle safety; causes liability concerns for the dealer and manufacturer and has very real economic impact should the manufacturers decide to stop allowing their motorcycles to be marketing in Georgia. john.meadows@house.ga.gov alan.powell@house.ga.gov rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov rich.golick@house.ga.gov john.yates@house.ga.gov
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9 comments
Good luck guys we (ABATE) recently got our handlebar repealed in South Dakota
One of the reasons that other states have repealed this inane law could be that their police bikes didn’t comply.
I hope this goes thru, but I have no hope it will pass. Joey Brush is a pathetic excuse for a human and doesn’t care enough about anyone outside his own skin to help us with our issues. Abate needs to get a better person to represent our needs in Georgia.
Interestingly, Indiana’s handle bar height law if strictly read and enforced, would also ban most every modern cruising and touring bike (including Harley Police Bikes…lol). About the only thing legal, technically, are sport bikes and dirt bikes. It is measured from the lowest point of the saddle to the highest point in the bar (apologies, I do not have the statute infront of me for a precise quote). I measured my OEM FLHTC and the FLHTP that I ride on duty, both are thechnically illegal. Fortunately, we have sensible LE here and it is a little known statute……