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Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021
52Tyre tread
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52 Tyre tread
(1) A tyre on a motor vehicle must not have cleats or other gripping devices that could damage road surfaces.
(2) A tyre fitted to the vehicle must have a tread pattern at least 1⋅5 millimetres deep in all principal grooves on the tyre, other than at tread wear indicators, in a band that runs continuously—
(a) across the tyre width that normally comes into contact with the road; and
(b) around the whole circumference of the tyre.
(3) A vehicle must not be fitted with a tyre that has been treated by recutting or regrooving the tread rubber, unless the tyre was—
(a) constructed with an extra thickness of rubber designed for recutting or regrooving; and
(b) labelled to indicate the construction in accordance with paragraph (a).
Division 2—Additional requirements for motor cycles
53 Steering gear and handlebars
(1) The handlebars on a motor cycle, other than a motor cycle (LC) or a motor cycle and side-car (LD), must extend at least 250 millimetres, but not more than 450 millimetres, on each side of the centre line of the vehicle.
(1A) The handlebars on a motor cycle, being a motor cycle (LC) or a motor cycle and side-car (LD) must extend at least 250 millimetres, but not over 500 millimetres, on each side of the centre line of the vehicle.
The motor cycle (LC) or a motor cycle and side-car (LD) are defined in ADR (Definitions and Vehicle Categories).
(2) In taking a measurement for subclause (1), mirrors and lights mounted on the handlebars of the motor cycle are disregarded.
(3) The lowest part of the hand grip on the handle bars must not be higher than—
(a) for a motor cycle built before 1 July 1988—380 millimetres above the attachment point of the handlebars to the motor cycle; or
(b) for a motor cycle built on or after 1 July 1988—380 millimetres above the lowest part of the upper surface of the driver's seat.
(4) Hand grips on the handlebars must be fitted symmetrically.
(5) If a motor cycle has the head stem as the steering pivot point, the horizontal distance from the midpoint between the head stem bearings to the centre of the front wheel must not be over 550 millimetres.
Illustration of maximum horizontal distance from midpoint between head stem bearings of motor cycle to centre of front wheel.
54 Foot rests
A motor cycle must be fitted with foot rests for the driver and for any passenger for whom a seating position is provided.
55 Chain guards
(1) If the engine power of a motor cycle is transmitted to the rear wheel by a chain, the driver and any passenger must be protected from the front sprocket and at least the upper part of the chain by—
(a) the frame or equipment of the motor cycle; or
(b) a chain guard.
(2) A chain guard must cover the chain to a point—
(a) at least 300 millimetres to the rear of the rearmost foot rest; or
(b) above the centre of the rear drive sprocket.