MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLES

Kansas City Code ch. 70, art. VIII

in effect

Kansas City Code § 70-741 Applicability of traffic regulations to persons operating motorcycles or motor-driven cycles.

Sec. 70-741. - Applicability of traffic regulations to persons operating motorcycles or motor-driven cycles. Every person operating a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this chapter, except as to special regulations in this article, and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.260; Ord. No. 41525, 10-20-72; Ord. No. 56381, 8-16-84)

Kansas City Code § 70-742 Number of riders; manner of riding.

Sec. 70-742. - Number of riders; manner of riding. (a) A person operating a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto; and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle unless such motorcycle or motor-driven cycle 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 motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. (b) A person shall ride upon a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. (c) No person shall operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle while carrying any package, bundle or other article which prevents him from keeping both hands on the handlebars. (d) No operator shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride, in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or motor-driven cycle or the view of the operator. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.261; Ord. No. 41525, 10-20-72; Ord. No. 56381, 8-16-84)

Kansas City Code § 70-743 Operation on roadways laned for traffic.

Sec. 70-743. - Operation on roadways laned for traffic. (a) All motorcycles, other than mopeds, are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane. (b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. This subsection shall not apply to a motorcyclist passing a bicycle or to the driver of a moped, or to a police officer in the performance of his duties. (c) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. This subsection shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their duties. (d) Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.262; Ord. No. 41525, 10-20-72; Ord. No. 56381, 8-16-84)

Kansas City Code § 70-744 Clinging to vehicles.

Sec. 70-744. - Clinging to vehicles. No person riding upon a motorcycle shall attach himself or the motorcycle to any other vehicle on a roadway. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.263; Ord. No. 41525, 10-20-72; Ord. No. 56381, 8-16-84)

Kansas City Code § 70-745 Footrests and handlebars.

Sec. 70-745. - Footrests and handlebars. (a) Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, shall be equipped with footrests for such passenger. (b) No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebars more than 15 inches in height above that portion of the seat occupied by the operator. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.264; Ord. No. 41525, 10-20-72; Ord. No. 56381, 8-16-84)

Kansas City Code § 70-746 Reserved.

Kansas City Code § 70-747 Brakes.

Sec. 70-747. - Brakes. Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle shall comply with the provisions of section 70-845, except that motorcycles and motor-driven cycles need not be equipped with parking brakes. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.266; Ord. No. 41525, 10-20-72; Ord. No. 56381, 8-16-84)

Kansas City Code § 70-748 Other equipment.

Sec. 70-748. - Other equipment. Every motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall comply with the requirements and limitations on horns, warning devices, mufflers, prevention of noise, and lighting equipment as set forth in article X of this chapter. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.267; Ord. No. 41525, 10-20-72; Ord. No. 56381, 8-16-84)

Kansas City Code § 70-749 Operation of all-terrain and off-road vehicles.

Sec. 70-749. - Operation of all-terrain and off-road vehicles. (a) No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle, as defined in section 70-1, upon the streets, highways, parks, sidewalks and other public property of this city, except as follows: (1) All-terrain vehicles owned and operated by a governmental entity for official use. (2) All-terrain vehicles operated for agricultural purposes or industrial on-premises purposes between the official sunrise and sunset on the day of operation. (b) No person shall operate an off-road vehicle within any stream or river in this city, except that off-road vehicles may be operated within waterways which flow within the boundaries of land which an off-road vehicle operator owns or has permission to be upon. (c) A person operating an all-terrain vehicle on a street or highway pursuant to an exception covered in this section shall have a valid license, but shall not be required to have passed an examination for the operation of a motorcycle, and the vehicle shall be operated at speeds of less than 30 miles per hour. When operated on a street or highway, an all-terrain vehicle shall have a bicycle safety flag, which extends not less than seven feet above the ground, attached to the rear of the vehicle. The bicycle safety flag shall be triangular in shape with an area of not less than 30 square inches and shall be day-glow in color. (d) No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle: (1) In any careless way so as to endanger the person or property of another; (2) On private property without the consent of the owner thereof; (3) While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance; or (4) Without a securely fastened safety helmet on the head of an individual who operates an all-terrain vehicle or who is being towed or otherwise propelled by an all-terrain vehicle, unless the individual is at least 18 years of age. (e) No operator of an all-terrain vehicle shall carry a passenger, except for agricultural purposes. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.268; Ord. No. 62571, 6-9-88; Ord. No. 920256, 3-26-92; Ord. No. 250437, § 2, 6-5-25)

Kansas City Code § 70-750 Operation or riding of certain motor-driven cycles on streets and sidewalks unlawful [Phillip's Law].

Sec. 70-750. - Operation or riding of certain motor-driven cycles on streets and sidewalks unlawful [Phillip's Law]. No person shall operate or ride any motor-driven cycle either with 50 or less cubic centimeters displacement and with a seat or saddle for the use of the rider that is 18 inches or less in height as measured to the lowest point of the upper surface of the seat or saddle on any street, highway, boulevard, parkway, alley, sidewalk or other public property. This section shall not apply to any electric powered device designed to transport only one person and to self-balance itself or to any motorized wheelchair operated by a handicapped person. This section may be commonly referred to as "Phillip's Law" in recognition of the unfortunate death of Phillip Young. (Ord. No. 050927, § 1, 8-18-05; Ord. No. 051167, § 1, 9-15-05)

Source: City of Kansas City, Missouri, Code of Ordinances, Charter and Zoning and Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mo/kansas_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORKAMIVOII_CH70TRVE_ARTVIIIMOMOIVCYFetched: 10/28/2026