HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5358

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to eliminating motorcycle handlebar height restrictions.

Brief Description:  Eliminating motorcycle handlebar height restrictions.

Sponsors:  Senators Benton, Snyder, Shin, Patterson, Costa, Rasmussen, Finkbeiner, Swecker, T. Sheldon, Sellar, Haugen, Hochstatter, Zarelli, Jacobsen, Heavey, Gardner, Prentice, Rossi, Horn and Stevens.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  3/18/99, 3/30/99 [DPA].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

            (As Amended by House Committee)

$The height restriction for motorcycle handlebars is increased from 15 inches to 30 inches.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 27 members:  Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co-Chair; K. Schmidt, Republican Co-Chair; Cooper, Democratic 1st Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Buck; G. Chandler; DeBolt; Fortunato; Haigh; Hatfield; Hurst; Lovick; McDonald; Mielke; Mitchell; Morris; Murray; Ogden; Pflug; Radcliff; Romero; Schindler; Schual-Berke; Scott; Skinner and Wood.

Staff:  Paul Johnson (786-7839).

Background:

The maximum height for motorcycle handlebars or grips was established in 1967 at no more than 15 inches higher than the seat or saddle.  One of two standards is usually used by the states in establishing the maximum height of the handlebars: (1) a maximum number of inches high measured from the seat, or (2) established at a height that is no higher than the shoulders of the operator.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The height restriction for motorcycle handlebars is raised from 15 inches to 30 inches.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The restriction on the height for handlebars is increased rather than eliminated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There is no track record of accidents being attributed to the height of handlebars.  There should be some limit retained.  Raising the height allows different size riders to adjust the handlebars.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Support) Pat Schmitt, Cowlitz County ABATE; Argie Martin, Cowlitz County ABATE; and Larry Walker, ABATE of Washington.

(Support with amendments) Captain Eric Robertson, Washington State Patrol.