Ask a Trooper by Troy Christianson

Question: My wife and I love to ride our Honda 1800 Goldwing trike. Can our granddaughter ride between us on short rides? She is 7 and loves to ride too.

Answer: Your motorcycle owner’s manual states, “Your motorcycle is designed to carry you and one passenger.” Based on that, and laws below, it is illegal and unsafe to allow a third passenger.

When it comes to motorcycle operation:

• An operator must ride on a permanent seat.

• Passengers must ride on a passenger seat or in a sidecar.

• Passengers under the age 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet.

• Passengers must be able to reach both footrests while seated in the passenger seat.

• Operators and passengers must face forward with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.

• The operator of a motorcycle is prohibited from carrying passengers in excess of the designed capacity of the motorcycle or sidecar attached to it.

For additional safety tips for riding with a passenger, visit motorcyclesafety.org

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always, drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848; or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.

Troy Christianson is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol.