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Both hands on the handle bars?

B

bayareasm

New member
Joined
Feb 12, 2008
Location
the bay
Moto(s)
Dr-Z400sm
Is it legal to ride with one hand gripping the handle bars? Its a silly question but could a police officer construe that behavior as reckless? You often see people resting their arm on thier side or what not. Just curious, thanks.
 
I don't think it's silly, it's a good questions. I'm curious also, sometimes my hand gets fatigued and i rest it on my leg, I don't want to get in trouble for that.
 
Its COMPLETELY LEGAL to ride with only one hand on your handlebars. However, NO HANDS on the handlebars is ILLEGAL.
 
Oh ok, good to know. I'm not trying to show off or anything, just take a little rest w/out pulling off the road.
 
Factor5 said:
Its COMPLETELY LEGAL to ride with only one hand on your handlebars. However, NO HANDS on the handlebars is ILLEGAL.
Click to expand...
Please provide the California Vehicle Code section that addresses this, if you could be so kind. :rolleyes
 
motorman4life said:
Please provide the California Vehicle Code section that addresses this, if you could be so kind. :rolleyes
Click to expand...

Well I'm taking it from the his avatar, it may not be so legal? I just don't want to get in any trouble for it is all. It's kinda nice to be able to sit up a bit for 5-15 seconds getting the cramps out of my hands...If it's illegal, i'd appreciate the info motorman?
 
Factor5 said:
Its COMPLETELY LEGAL to ride with only one hand on your handlebars. However, NO HANDS on the handlebars is ILLEGAL.
Click to expand...

Could you give me a VC for the no hands part? I often stretch out my hands while coming to a stop.
Thanks
 
Factor5 said:
Its COMPLETELY LEGAL to ride with only one hand on your handlebars. However, NO HANDS on the handlebars is ILLEGAL.
Click to expand...

motorman4life said:
Please provide the California Vehicle Code section that addresses this, if you could be so kind. :rolleyes
Click to expand...

whew, glad you're wrong factor.

HalfEvil said:
Could you give me a VC for the no hands part? I often stretch out my hands while coming to a stop.
Thanks
Click to expand...

i too do the same. so it sure is nice to know i'm not going to get tagged for a ticket for stretching. god forbid.
 
motorman4life said:
Please provide the California Vehicle Code section that addresses this, if you could be so kind. :rolleyes
Click to expand...

I was told that its illegal to have no hands on the handlebars while moving. Is this still true? Sorry if I wasn't clear.
 
Well put me down for one more who'd like to know if its legal or not. I usually stretch both arms out and lean back to stretch after straightlining on the freeway for any length of time. I do have a friend who got a ticket for "stunting" because he took both hands off the bars. I'll call him up and see what the ticket was written for
 
Factor5 said:
I was told that its illegal to have no hands on the handlebars while moving. Is this still true? Sorry if I wasn't clear.
Click to expand...
Ok, if you don't have a VC for what you posted earlier, what was your source?
Asking for the VC is normal. No regular person that I know of has that thing memorized, so having a VC reference is useful for everyone when it exists.

(JPM is normal...he's just got madd searching skillzz)
 
Factor5 said:
I was told that its illegal to have no hands on the handlebars while moving. Is this still true? Sorry if I wasn't clear.
Click to expand...
Who told you this? Because, it is BS and you are passing on BS in the forum. Please do not spread BS here.. be ready to back up your legal advice with codified law.. either code sections or published case law.

There is no law in CA that requires you to have ONE or BOTH hands on your steering wheel or handlebars while operating a vehicle.. unless (drumroll please).. unless you are operating a motorized scooter pursuant to 21221 CVC.

In which case, 21235(f) CVC would apply. But that section in and of itself does not require the operator of a motorized scooter to hold the bars with one or both hands, but prevents an operator from riding while carrying anything (package, etc..) that prevents them from having at least one hand upon the handlebars.

No such law exists for cars (steering wheel) or motorcycles (handlebars). I know this may seem odd, but the Basic Speed Law (22350 CVC) always applies.

If, in the opinion of an officer, you are riding at an unsafe speed (which could be ANY speed) while not holding the bars, they could cite you for 22350 CVC, but they would need to articulate how you were unsafe and not in control of the vehicle.. something that could be done but I have never seen or heard of it being done. The absence of a law requiring you to maintain constant contact with the controls makes it defacto legal in CA, unless it is shown to be unsafe.

-----
21235. The operator of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following:
(a) Operate a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(b) Operate a motorized scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a class II bicycle lane.
(c) Operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.
(d) Operate a motorized scooter when the operator is under the age of 16 years.
(e) Operate a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.
(f) Operate a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars. (g) Operate a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
(h) Operate a motorized scooter on the highway with the handlebars raised so that the operator must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
(i) Leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.
(j) Attach the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the roadway.
 
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motorman4life said:
Who told you this? Because, it is BS and you are passing on BS in the forum. Please do not spread BS here.. be ready to back up your legal advice with codified law.. either code sections or published case law.
Click to expand...

:hail
It was actually a LEO that pulled up next to me and told me next time to never leave at least one hand on the handlebars. I apologize for spreading BS.
 
hrmm

THANKS

very good post.

i've wondered about that on alot of my ride i'll put my left hand on my side or on the tank

and sometimes i'll sit up and adjust my gloves helm or backpack

while it's up to the leo's to deceide if it's unsafe i feel 100% confident going some distance with no hands,.... and depending on the speed road conditions and turns...

i'll go around turns no hands (but thats normally just to "play")
 
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