To: Nevada State Assembly Transportation Committee 78th Session.

From: Michael S. Marcum – Nevada Confederation of Clubs Board Member. 1400 S. Arlington Ave Reno, NV 89509 [email protected]

Re: AB422 hearing on 04/22/2015

Thanks for taking the time to give this bill a hearing. I am striving to keep this brief and to the point. I would like to start with some background information.

1. What are APE Hangers? ( the common use wording for tall handlebars) They are taller than normal handlebars. Many people are familiar with the movie “Easy Rider” starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson. Peter Fonda’s bike is a great example of “Ape Hanger” handlebars on his famous Captain America Bike. His bike would not be legal in Nevada as the law is written now.

2. Motorcycles have changed over the years. While most motorcycle in the past had a universal design silhouette, newer bikes that are fully DOT approved, may not be legal for all riders. Lower seats allow for shorter riders. Higher Handlebars come stock form the factory and are legal according the US DOT. As times change, so do styles and equipment.

1975 Kawasaki Motorcycle 2015 Harley-Davidson FXDB Street Bob

3. I feel as we should be encouraging tourist from California to ride in our state. This would be easier if we had a state-wide standard that was similar to theirs.

Current Text from California State Vehicle Code Website:

27801. A person shall not drive a two-wheel motorcycle that is equipped with either of the following: (a) A seat so positioned that the driver, when sitting astride the seat, cannot reach the ground with his or her feet. (b) Handlebars so positioned that the hands of the driver, when upon the grips, are more than six inches above his or her shoulder height when sitting astride the seat.

4. Despite an exhaustive search, I can find no documentation relating motorcycle safety and handlebar heights.

I am a computer professional by trade, and I have spent many hours looking all over the web for anything on this issue. Many studies in many states concerning Motorcycle safety, none show any correlation between handlebar height and accidents and safety.

My group requests that AB422 be passed as written.

Thank You for your efforts. Michael S. Marcum NNVCOC

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