Long Distance Biker
Long Distance Motorcycling Advice

Motorcycle Helmets...?

Do you think that is should be law for people to wear motorcycle helmets? Or should it be up to the rider whether or not he wants his brains scattered all over the road? This is just one of those things that confuses me..why would someone rather spill his brains all over the road or mess up his hair?
I ask becasue I saw a dude riding a corch rocket on the highway going like 80 and no helmet and swirving in and out of traffic.

Public Comments

1. that ones a hard one, I make my kids wear a helmet when they drive motorcycle, 4-wheeler, and go-carts, my daughter wears a helmet when she is riding her horses, I don't wear a helmet when I ride motorcycle, or when I ride horses, I do wear a helmet when I am jumping with my horse but that's because my daughter says I have to, I guess I don't practice what I preach, I have alot of friends that will wear half helmets when they are riding on a motorcycle, some states have laws for helmet wearing,

2. Well, i love riding and hate seeing accidents ive been in one and i say that the only reason i lived was because i had a helmet on....so yes i do think it shold be a law, i ride crotch rockets so i definately think that you should have to have a helmet on with those...

3. It's a tough question to answer since you are really discussing if the government should have the right to impose their will on riders. Many would say that they should have the option to wear a helmet or not as part of their civil liberties. In fact, I believe the law has been repealed in some states because it was unconstituitional. I wonder aloud though how this is different than the seatbelt laws?

Having said that, I always wear a helmet and I can't imagine not wearing one.

4. I also wear a helmet whenever I'm riding my motorcycle but am really on the fence when it comes to helmet laws. I believe everyone should choose to wear a helmet but I don't know if it's the government's role to force them to. It would be like the government trying to force grown adults to eat their vegetables - everyone knows vegetables are good for them but if they don't feel like eating them, that should be their right - they aren't hurting anyone but themselves.

For better or worse - many states do have helmet laws:
http://www.motorcyclegiftshop.com/helmet_laws.html

5. I wear a helmet as well as other protective clothing every time I ride my motorcycles. I wear a seat belt every time I drive my car. I would do so regardless of any law.

It should be my choice. Not the law. Education is far more important and will get better results than legislation. Personally, I resent the hell out of the government trying to protect me from myself. That IS NOT the role of a responsible government.

6. No.....we have enough laws already. If some dude is swerving in and out of traffic doing like 80, I doubt a helmet will save him if he loses it.

7. I'd rather scatter my brains all over the road. I say share the wealth! I've got too much brains anyways.

8. I firmly believe it should be a choice. People fall in the shower a crack their head open every day, what's next? helmet laws for the shower? I have been riding 35 years many before the helmet law. I can say ,the helmet law has not saved me.I've been down, broke bones etc.I still say" I"M NOT WEARING THIS HELMET BY CHOICE" The second I cross the line of a no helmet state ,that P.O.S is off and in the saddle bags. I am a big boy and I don't need some FAGGOT politition protecting me!

9. Seems you are making a false assumption that not wearing a helmet will cause one's brains to be scattered all over the road. I have ridden for many years and many miles without a helmet. I have also suffered a few crashes but yet my brain and skull remain undamaged. I know many other bikers who can say and prove the same.

Passing a law will not force everyone to comply by wearing a helmet. Only the weak willed sheep will blindly follow. Many bikers are strong willed and will not be intimidated so easily.

The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

10. Some of us think Americans already are over regulated and over restricted by the govt in all aspects of our lives.

One problem is that folks are all too willing to give away any personal liberty to Big Brother, buying into the myth that individuals must be protected from themselves. In TX, a rider over 21 has the choice of wearing a helmet or not. "Let those who ride, decide", as the slogan goes. I wear a helmet whenever I ride. I am adamantly against mandatory helmet use for adults.

More people sustain head injuries in cars.

11. Helmet laws are lobbied for by insurance companies and legislated by politicians who are in the pockets of those special interest groups. The govt. couldn't care less whether you splatter your brains all over the highway, it's all about money. The insurance companies feel if there are mandatory helmet laws it will save them money in the long run on claims. Since when do we as Americans let the insurance companies dictate what we can or cannot do!