The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) keeps a list of state bike laws for all 50 states on its website, www.ama-cycle.org. While we didn’t find anything about local ordinances, the following does apply to the state of Florida. It was pretty helpful to us and maybe you, too.

• Helmet: Not required for riders over 21 with a minimum of $10,000 in medical insurance.

• Eye Protection: Required by law.

• Daytime Use of Headlight: Required by law, modulating headlight permitted.

• Passenger Seat: Required if carrying a passenger.

• Passenger Footrest: Required if carrying a passenger.

• Passenger Age Restriction: None.

• Helmet Speakers: No restriction.

• Mirrors: One on either left or right of bars required by law.

• Muffler: No person shall modify the exhaust system in such a manner that the noise emitted is above that emitted by the vehicle as originally manufactured. No person shall operate a vehicle with an exhaust system so modified.

• Maximum Sound Level: Maximum allowable A-weighted sound levels based on measurements taken at a distance of 50 feet from center line of travel (Sec. 316.293): Manufactured before 1/1/79-82dBA (35 mph or less); 86dBA (over 35 mph) Manufactured after 1/1/79-78dBA (35 mph or less); 82dBA (over 35 mph)

• Handlebar Height: No higher than top of shoulders of the operator when seated upon the motorcycle

• Motorcycles Operating Two Abreast in Same Lane: Yes.

• Lane Splitting: No.

**Are We There Yet?
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Plan on riding to some hot spots during the week? Here’s the distance from Main Street to some popular places around the state.