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Sec. 18-17. Persons operating and riding upon motorcycles.[174]

A person operating a motorcycle, as defined in section 18-1,
excluding four-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles, shall ride
only upon the permanent and regular seat attached to the
motorcycle, and such operator shall not carry any other person,
and no other person shall ride on a motorcycle unless
such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person,
in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and
regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat
firmly attached to the rear or side of the seat for the operator.
If such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person,
it shall also be equipped with a footrest, for the use of such
passenger.

A person operating a motorcycle shall wear safety glasses
or goggles or have his motorcycle equipped with safety glass
or a windshield at all times while operating such vehicle.
Failure to wear safety glasses or goggles shall not constitute
negligence per se in any civil proceeding.

Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and shall be punished as provided in section 1-5.
(Code 1959, § 18-17.)

 
[174]

For similar state law, see Code of Va., § 46.1-172.