a. A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the operator. A passenger shall ride astride on a motorcycle only if the feet of that passenger rest firmly upon the footrests attached to the motorcycle as required by subsection b. of this section. A passenger on a motorcycle, whether riding astride or in a sidecar attached to the motorcycle, shall wear a securely fitted helmet of a size proper for that passenger as required under section 6 of P.L. 1967, c. 237 (C. 39:3-76.7).
A motorcycle operator who carries a passenger in violation of this subsection shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00.
b. Motorcycles designed to carry more than one person shall be equipped with adequate footrests for each passenger. Seats and footrests shall be of a type approved by the director. Handholds shall be required only insofar as they are necessary to comply with federal regulations.