Riding a motorcycle can be a rich experience that leads to many adventures. However, it is important to know your state’s motorcycle laws before you hit the road, and to keep some basic safety tips in mind.
Connecticut Motorcycle Laws and Regulations
- Your motorcycle’s handlebars must be lower than your shoulders when you ride.
- Your motorcycle must have a muffler.
- Turn signals are optional on your motorcycle.
- If your motorcycle was manufactured after 1975, it must emit a sound between 80 and 84 DBa when running, or between 82 and 86 DBa if manufactured before 1975.
- Your motorcycle must have a left or right rear view mirror, or both.
- If you are carrying a passenger on your motorcycle, then it must be equipped with a fixed seat and foot rests for the passenger and be designed to carry a passenger.
- All riders and passengers must wear eye protection, unless your motorcycle is fitted with a windshield.
- All riders and passengers that are under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet by law.
- Riders that only have a motorcycle permit are also required to wear a helmet by law.
- Motorcycle permits are only valid for 60 days.
- You must have $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per person involved in a crash.
- You must also have $40,000 for total bodily injury coverage if multiple people are involved in an accident.
- You must have $10,000 of property damage insurance to ride a motorcycle.
- When you ride, you must have proof of liability insurance.
- Two riders may ride abreast in a single lane.
- Riding on the line dividing two lanes in between traffic, or “lane splitting,” is illegal in Connecticut.
Safety Tips
- Be a “defensive” rider.
It requires a tremendous amount of skill and focus to safely ride a motorcycle. Thus, it is very important to maintain situational awareness when you ride. Often, other cars have a hard time seeing motorcycles on the road, which unfortunately leads to many accidents. This is why you should wear bright reflective colors, and make sure that you have the skills to safely maneuver in a “critical moment.” Attending a motorcycle safety course would be an excellent way to develop your skills and become comfortable riding your motorcycle. Most motorcycle crashes happen within five miles of where the motorcycle is started. This is because beginner riders have not taken the time to properly train themselves to ride a motorcycle. Learning the skills you need to ride safely is always worth the time. - Prepare before you ride.
When you ride a motorcycle, you will be exposed to whatever the road has to offer for better or worse. Wearing the proper gear when you ride can save you from a lot of heartache. The most important thing you should wear when you ride is, of course, your helmet. Make sure that your helmet fits snugly onto your head and that you chin strap is firmly secured when you ride. A well-fitted helmet will provide the most protection if you are involved in a crash, and will keep your helmet from falling off. You will also need to wear durable clothing that will keep you warm and protect you in case you accidentally slide your motorcycle. Some motorcycle companies design clothes with built-in armor, although jeans and a leather jacket can also provide some basic protection. You should wear heavy boots that come up above your ankle. This will make shifting gears easier and provide better traction for your foot rests. Wearing gloves might also be a good idea to prevent your hands from getting cold. - Have adequate insurance coverage.
There are several scenarios in which not having proper insurance coverage could put you in a bad situation. Besides having the minimum insurance requirements, you should consider:- Uninsured motorist coverage. There are more uninsured motorists than you might think, and you are involved in a crash with one you may not receive any compensation. Uninsured motorist coverage will compensate you for medical costs and damages if this is the case.
- Comprehensive Coverage. This coverage will compensate you for damages that do not result from a collision with another vehicle (like theft or weather damage).
- Roadside assistance. This coverage is particularly helpful for riders who are planning on going for a long road trip. If you break down on the side fo the road, roadside assistance will pick you up and repair your motorcycle.
