09-04-2025
Vroom vroom: WV Senate signs off on House bill to allow motorcyclists to stand while driving
Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, speaks on the floor of the West Virginia Senate on March 24, 2025. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)
A bill that would permit motorcyclists to stand up while driving their vehicle is nearly headed to the governor's desk.
'Standing up on the foot pegs just gives you so much more control when a bump is coming up. Your legs act like shock absorbers,' said Sen. Mark Maynard, R-Wayne, who voted in support of the measure. 'This is just heinous that if somebody does this, they would be ticketed.'
The Senate signed off on the measure, House Bill 2752, Monday evening with a vote of 27-6. The bill passed out of the House of Delegates March 19, spurring a viral video that showed Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, yelling, 'Vroom! Vroom! West Virginia,' before criticizing the Republican-backed bill, saying it was unnecessary and did nothing to help residents of the state.
Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel also questioned why lawmakers were spending time on the legislation. He called it the 'Organ Donor Act of 2025.'
'I've put up with a lot of shenanigans this session,' said Woelfel, D-Cabell. 'But why are we taking up the Senate's time with a bill to allow people legally to stand up on their motorcycles while the motorcycle is moving forward?'
'Of all the issues we have in our state, we're going to make legislation to let people be Evel Knievel? I'd like to have a no vote to send a message down the hallway,' he continued.
Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, said she had been told that the bill, which originated in the House, was needed.
'Right now if you stand up – you still have your feet on the foot pegs — it is a crime. They needed this legislation to allow them to stand up.'
Motorcyclists are already instructed to stand up in certain situations as part of their required instruction to obtain a motorcycle license, according to bill sponsor Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam. The bill also includes mopeds and motor-driven cycles.
The House will have to concur with the Senate's vote before the legislation heads to Gov. Patrick Morrisey's desk for consideration.
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