Motorcycle Helmets Make Riding More Dangerous?: Missouri State Legislature Looks at Repealing Helmet Laws

As an advocate for freedom, I say repeal the motorcycle helmet law in Missouri. Riders should choose whether or not by their own free will whether or not to wear one. I hope the Missouri legislature realizes that with freedom comes personal responsibility, which any rider willing to ride without a helmet understands when the worst takes place.

KY3 reports: Several motorcyclists told the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday that wearing a helmet should be a choice. They said helmets can make it hard to hear sounds on the road and can cause riders to pass out from heat exhaustion.

These are points well understood as I used to ride a scooter back and forth to Missouri State University, some days with a helmet and some days without. Helmets are required for the 49cc scooters that seem to be the craze. (Buyer beware and check prices on the Internet before purchasing scooters from Springfield's largest scooter store, which has two locations. The price differences will amaze you, even though you are told you are getting a good deal.)

I want to heed warning. I am lucky to be alive today and it is because of a helmet that I am probably alive and not a vegetable or in a coffin. I used to race bicycles for USCF registered teams in Chicago. Some days I wore my top of the line Giro helmet, and other days I did not. I hated them just like motorcycle riders hate them.

On one particular day, I debated whether or not to wear my helmet. I was riding with my closest of friends on the annual Joliet Bicycle Clubs Sudden Century held every year in May. My girlfriend at the time rode too, and I began pedaling off without my helmet. I rode up to her and kissed her, and she told me she had a bad feeling about today's ride and begged me to wear my helmet. I tried to assure her all would be well, but she insisted. I put it on.

Somewhere about 20 miles down the road doing close to 30 miles per hour in a tight pace line, my buddy Todd missed the turn and did something unsafe. He tried to make a quick partial U-turn. When he did, he caught Tom's wheel which was crossed, and Tom went down in front of me. I rolled over Tom's leg and went flying head first a great distance.

My Campagnolo Record ergo shifter was destroyed--not a cheap replacement. Of course, I failed to look at my helmet very closely after the accident because I was so upset at the damage done to my bike. After it was apparent, the day's ride was over as Tom was hauled off to the hospital with a broken clavical, I examined my helmet. The impact destroyed it causing great structural damage, but thanks to that helmet, I only had to nurse a bruised hip that made riding tough over the next week.

While I support no helmet laws, I beg you to wear your helmet. The Missouri legislature will vote on the bill next week. The bill will allow people 21 years or over to ride without a helmet in Missouri. Neighboring Illinois doesn't have a helmet law.