ALT-3 Motorcyclists should always Wear Helmets – Disagree
I'm loosely connected to an insurance company that provides coverage for motorcycles. Naturally, everybody considering policies is looking to save money; and you'd think wearing a helmet would factor into the pricing process. However, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet in all states. And the idea of rules has never appealed to the hardcore motorcyclist.
So while I think that wearing a helmet provides a greater level of safety, I also believe that wearing a helmet is a choice. And the very idea of choice starts with the individual and their personal preferences. Bottom line never try to boss a biker.
Yes, riding a motorcycle carries inherent danger. There's less between rider and the road. Visibility is an issue, so those driving cars can inadvertently cut off or collide with motorcycles. And when it comes to accidents, well, many riders believe it's a matter of 'when' and not 'if.'
Yet with all these factors, more people are riding motorcycles than ever before. And the love between rider and bike grows deeper with every passing mile. So 'the experts' can quote accident statistics until they're blue in the face but these data points are truly pointless when presented to a group of people with unbreakable emotions about motorcycles and the riding experience.
Mandating the use of a helmet is like trying to tell motorcyclists what type of wheels they must use, or what type of accessories must be added to their bike. These are very personal decisions, reflecting the personality of the bike and the rider.
Beyond aesthetics, there are comfort considerations. Some people just don't like wearing a helmet. It changes the ride; it alters the interaction with the road and the elements. Honestly, it's hard to feel the wind in your hair, when a helmet sits on top of your head.
Sure, this may seem counter-intuitive. But again, riding a motorcycle is all about freedom and personal choice. So the minute legislators start drawing up laws or considering rules, there's going to be resistance. Perhaps that's why there is no nationwide helmet law in the first place.
Motorcyclists should not be required to wear helmets. In the end, that decision is something that cannot, and should not, be controlled by anyone but the rider.
