On behalf of the Highway Safety Division, I transmit herewith, in accordance with House Joint Resolution #90, the findings and recommendations of a study on the safety aspects of customized or modified motorcycles. This report has been coordinated with the Superintendent of State Police.

A review of the literature and state codes from throughout the nation indicates that there is little evidence at this time that modified motorcycles constitute a significant safety risk to their riders and other users of the highways of the Commonwealth. The special Virginia State Police crash study shows that these types of motorcycles are not involved in a large number of crashes where their modifications are deemed contributory. Any proposed legislation to regulate chopper motorcycles should await the outcome of the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission report, which is in progress. No chopper motorcycle legislation is recommended at this time.

A summary of ·the findings and recommendations is set forth on page iii. These will be considered during our regular highway safety programming.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ John T. Hanna
Director