Helmet Use Requirement (by State)

Here is the current listing by state of requirements for helmet use on vehicles.

www:iihs.org/laws/helmetusecurrent.aspx

I thought this was interesting both for general knowledge, insurance purposes, and for travelling between states on trips.

I wonder if cyclists using helmets in States where it is not required are looked on as "strange" by the cycle community in those states, and I wonder what percentage of riders in those "unhelmeted" States actually ride with helmets.

Whatever you do, Ride safe...billc.

Billc,
I've been riding in an "unhelmeted" state since mid 1967 WITH a helmet BY CHOICE, both off and on the road.

The only time that I've ridden without a helmet was during my "observed trials" period -- almost always in the lower three gears (max about 15mph) off road.

I don't know if the "unhelmeted population" think me strange or not -- I DO think THEY are.

We've ridden once without helmets (Minnesota) - We did not enjoy the sensation, didn't necessarily feel less safe.

Alabama is a helmet required state. When we travel we wear the helmets irregardless of the local legal situation.

There is no empirical evidence (data) regarding loud pipes saving lives, yet the loud pipes crowd are generally first in line bemoaning helmet requirements. Plenty of unbiased data can be found that tends to indicate (objective analysis [not feelings]) that helmet usage does save lives.

Crap - that ought to get me some eggs and tomatoes .

Dale,

A few more item's on your list of thrown item's and you can make a GREAT omelet.

While you are making your omelet, go to this website and read this whole article including the statistics on full vs open vs half helmet injuries. There is a lot of good information here. Its amazing Dale that people will ride helmetless, with little or no medical insurance, and still expect us to provide care for them for perhaps the rest of their life at no cost to them....billc.

Getting old....forgot to leave the site: www.vehiclevibes.com/2010/05/importance-of-motorcycle-helmets/

I live in Texas use my helmet all the time, three weeks ago was getting ready to go too church put the helment on and stepped out the back door, my daughters cat ran under my foot as I stepped I fell about four feet to the ground and was saved from a nasty crack on the head. Didn't help my hips or back and neck they're still giving me a fit (I weigh 320lbs). Without the helmet I would have had a bigger head ache.
Craig

Wow, I expected a bit of animus (too strong a word, but I couldn't think of a gentler one) on this topic. Glad to see we are a safety minded crowd.

Craig, glad you didn't suffer a concussion. More evidence that guys shouldn't have cats around them. If the helmet hit hard, you might want to consider replacing it. I have not researched it, but have heard that if a helmet takes a good hit - it should be replaced. I do know that insurance companies will replace your helmet if you are in an accident and the helmet makes contact with the ground of any other object.

I live and ride in Colorado - a no helmet required state. The local law requires that children riding with you must wear a helmet, but as an adult I am not require to. I have only gone helmetless once or twice and like you said Dale, it just didn't feel right. In really hot weather I wear a half helmet and when it is cooler I wear a full face. Just looking at other riders on the road it seems like about half of them wear helmets and it seems like most of the helmetless riders I see are riding Harleys, so go figure.

From what I have seen, I am not surprised that most of the people on this site would be in the group of riders that wear helmets and after reading about what happened to Craig, I am thinking that I should wear one while I am on the back porch...

I live in Illinois, which does not have any kind of helmet law. I have to admit that I wear a helmet just about half the time. I enjoy my ride better without one. The helmet I own is a half helmet or skull cap. I have disability insurance, I am at the point where I'm worth more dead to my wife than alive, so I promise not to be a burden to society if something goes wrong. I'm glad I have the choice. If the law changes, I will follow the law...

Well, living in the UK I have no choice if I don't want to fall foul of the law.

The law has been in force ever since I have been riding so I really don't know any different. I don't know if I would like to ride without a lid to be honest but that is probably due to never having ridden bare headed.