Bill Aims to Give Motorcyclists Equal Access to Roads, Lots | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Barry Smith, who is an associate editor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

    State Rep. John Torbett has filed a bill aimed at giving motorcyclists equal access to roads and parking lots or decks that are open to the general public.

    Torbett, R-Gaston, said the bill (House Bill 28) is primarily aimed at parking lot and deck assess.

    "If it's open to the general public, then motorcycles can't be denied access," Torbett said of his bill. He said the bill doesn't apply to lots that are not open to the general public.

    "It's sporadic," Torbett said of the problems some motorcyclists are having using parking lots. He said parking lot or deck operators are saying the stop arms used to control entrance and exits at some parking lots could hit a motorcyclist in the head and become a liability.

    The bill also prohibits the state Department of Transportation from restricting motorcycle access to highways, bridges, tunnels, or other transportation facilities.