| Author | Message | ||
     Garyz28 |
I just got back from a week in Hawaii. Motorcycles are extremely popular there and apparently they have no helmet law because almost no one in Hawaii wears a helmet. I was wondering if there are any other states where they let you decide for yourself if you want to wear one. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Ohio, as long as you have your endorsement (not temps) and are over 18. I believe PA is the same. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I'm an ATGATT rider, but live in the "Live Free or Die" State of New Hampshire that does not have a helmet law. | ||
| Wardan123 |
Florida lets you decide after 21... http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/PrintLaws.htm l | ||
| Danger_dave |
Compulsory in Australia and New Zealand. No exceptions. | ||
| Buellboiler |
It is your decision in Indiana. I would say that more than half don't. | ||
| Nillaice |
illinois, too. are you trying to plan a helmet-less road trip? | ||
| Etennuly |
Optional in Kentucky, mandatory in Tennessee. ATGATT here! | ||
| Zenfrogmaster |
It's your choice in Arizona. Here's a link for all states: http://usff.com/hldl/frames/50state.html | ||
| Cereal |
I took a pretty big rock to the face shield doing 80mph once. Couldn't imagine what that would have felt like on my forehead. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
its all fair game here in Texas! pretty stupid if you ask me! But I did talk two of my friends who just got Harleys, into wearing helmets. and they have been for a couple weeks now. kinda proud of myself!!!! | ||
| Smitty808 |
I'm with ya' Cereal...I caught a Pigeon with my shoulder at a little over 100 on a 1979 CB750k. Nearly took me out of the saddle. I have worn a helmet ever since. But I prefer to have the choice. I don't want the government mandating my safety equipment (seat belts included...even though I wear them too!). | ||
| Garyz28 |
It's been the law here in California for so long it just looks strange to see someone without a helmet. I always wore one even before it was the law. I just hate having the government tell me what to do! | ||
| Gregtonn |
California is the only state that does not ban lane splitting. I think it should be allowed in slow traffic as long as you do not travel more than 10 to 15 mph over traffic speed. | ||
| Cochise |
No helmet over 16 years old. I wear one. | ||
| Jlnance |
Google turned up this:  | ||
| Jaydub |
NH has no helmet required, and RI is helmet for passenger only (Message edited by jaydub on January 27, 2008) | ||
| Birdy |
Once you have your endorsement in Indiana it's your choice. But I think not wearing a helmet makes a statement "Look I'm so Stupid Brain Damage couldn't Hurt!"} | ||
| Firemanjim |
And I can attest to the effects of helmet vs no helmet in accidents. I have worn one since the dark ages and a full face at that. The dirt,bugs,rain,and dust/debris I cannot imagine taking that on my face,it hurts enough on the little skin I have showing on my neck. | ||
| Swampy |
I have to confess, last summer only hours before my wife had her stroke I went for a helmetless ride on the Sportster. The only thing I could think of when each bug hit my face was "OUCH!, Stupid.....OUCH!, Stupid.....OUCH!, Stupid....." I learned my lesson. I makes no sense not to wear one. | ||
| Kyrocket |
What about eye protection? Ky does not have a helmet law but I believe there is something about eye protection being mandatory. I personally don't go out without a full face on, and a helmet too. It really chaffs my @ss to see a poser running 55mph with their eyes squinted so tight and tears running down their face that there is no possible way they could see anything. | ||
| Kyrocket |
BTW Kentucky has a mandatory helmet bill that has been introduced. http://www.clutchandchrome.com/News/0801/News08010 28.htm I wear one but I don't want the gov. telling me I have too. If you know someone here in Ky let them know to write their representatives and tell them to let those who ride decide. | ||
| Rich |
Eye protection required here. The police in Daytona may stop, and ticket you for riding with your faceshield up, unless you wear glasses. | ||
| Brumbear |
PA has no helmet laws in Jersey we have helmet laws its the rest of the traffic laws we do not have | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Bad as you stated in Ohio you must be over 18 and cannot be a novice which is defined as having less than one year of road experience. 32 and new you gotta wear a helmet for 1 year. | ||
| Alchemy |
It is probably my contrarian nature but I find it less objectionable (easier) to consistently wear a helmet when it is not a law that I have to wear it. I know that at any time I can take it off but I know it is the best thing so I choose to wear it. Human nature I guess. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Were there not a public impact for lack of helmet use, I'd completely agree Alchemy. Unfortunately, the public must pay for scraping brains off the asphalt and for the support of families who's breadwinner just offed himself. Helmets are one of the balancing points between free will and the security of the nanny state. | ||
| Polacking |
After a career in Law Enforcement and a couple of years racing, I can say for sure that both helmets and seat belts work. But I still feel it should be up to the individual to decide. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
We'll never have a mandatory helmet law here for everybody. Won't happen in HD's back yard. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I am about as pro-helmet (and ATGATT) as a person can get, however I am also about as anti-helmet law as a person can get because I do not believe our government needs to be involved in every common sense decision that we as citizens make. We need to make not wearing a helmet socially unacceptable, not illegal. Illegality leads to our law enforcement agencies wasting time enforcing this law instead of pursuing the really nasty criminals out there. |
