Under current Va. law, motorcyclists are required to ride on the seat at all times. Riders have been ticketed to riding off the seat for safety reasons and SB 836 seeks to correct that, and to resolve the conflict between the state-approved rider training program and the Code of Virginia. In the BRC we expressly teach riders to "rise off the seat" to negotiate some hazards, and it is of course a widely accepted practice for riding in areas of low traction. The bill, introduced by Sen Janet Howell (D-Fairfax), is up for consideration in the senate transportation committee tomorrow.
Here's the email I sent to my state Sen., Barbara Favola:
Dear Senator Favola,
I am a motorcyclist, motorcycle rider course instructor, and resident of District 31. I write today to ask your support of SB 836.
Under current law, motorcyclists must remain seated at all times. SB 836 would amend the Code of Virginia to allow riders to stand on the footrests to maneuver through hazards, in such a way that does not endanger the "life, limb, or property of any person." This technique is a widely accepted practice and it is the method we teach beginners in the Virginia Rider Training Program for handling certain kinds of hazards. Over severe bumps (railroad tracks, debris in the road, etc.) and in loose gravel or sand, rising off the seat is often much safer than remaining seating.
Thank you for your time.