OFF THE WIRE
Meredith Hoenes, edited by Jason Vaughn
KANSAS CITY, MO. —
Missouri's motorcycle helmet law is under attack again, as a new bill is set to go up for debate in the state Senate that would allow motorcyclists over 21 to not wear a helmet.
The state's current law says any operator or passenger must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. But bikers testified last week to legislators that helmets can be as big of a hazard as they are a safety measure.
"Its the feeling of freedom that you get," said Mark Chapman, chairman of Freedom of Road Riders, an anti-helmet group. "You can ride down the road and be one with nature basically. You feel and smell and hear everything that goes on."
Chapman and other members of the group told the Missouri Senate's Transportation Committee that there's more to going helmet-free than aesthetics. They say that helmets just aren't safe.
"Any time you put something around your ears its going to affect the way you hear," said Chapman, who says smart driving is as good as a helmet. "Its just like wearing seatbelts or anything else, its good if you have a crash, but the best way to avoid an injury in a crash is not to have the crash."
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon vetoed a similar bill that made it to his desk in 2009. He stated riders would be less safe and it would increase medical costs. Chapman believes educated bikers would offset that increase.
"I've worn helmets in states that don't require helmets because I thought the conditions merited that," said Chapman.
Insurance companies believe a no-helmet law would only impact one group of bike riders.
"Younger drivers are so much more expensive anyway," said insurance agent Tom DeMasters. "So I think the rates would really hit them, if the rates do go up."
Ultimately, motorcyclists believe lawmakers decisions should be based on the consitution, not money.
"Well, they're not forcing people with diabetes to eat right," said Chapman. "There's a hundred different ways you can say it, but basically its my choice."
The Senate Transportation Committee passed the bill, so it now faces debate on the Senate floor. If it were to make it into law, only those 21 and older would be exempt from wearing a helment.
