Reevaluating Oregon's Helmet Law

Currently there is a bill being passed through the House of Representatives, sponsored by Andy Olson that would relax Oregon’s helmet law. House Bill 3141 would amend the law to state that people over the age of 21 are allowed to ride their motorcycles without helmets. This will be a very popular amendment to the law for a lot of people. I am one of them.

I believe that it should be my choice as to whether or not I wear a helmet while I am on my bike. My choice would be to wear a helmet of course. A full face helmet. Yes, although I believe that there shouldn’t be helmet laws, I would also still choose to wear a helmet. My head may be funny shaped, but it is mine.

As much as I would love to see my beloved Oregon become a state where we can make choices as individuals, I am a little disturbed by the motivation behind it. He is sponsoring this bill because friends of his who ride have told him that it is too hard to see or hear out of full face helmets. I call shenanigans.

This is an argument that I have heard numerous times, and I just can’t swallow it. I have had a few years out on the road, riding from little Corvallis, Ore. to Seattle, San Francisco, Klamath Falls and even around Crater Lake three times. I have never worn anything less than a full face helmet, and I have had plenty of close calls. However, none of those were caused by my inability to see or hear the traffic around me.

Also, if you don’t like full face helmets, then don’t buy one. They are actually the most expensive of the helmet designs. A small DOT approved “skull cap” helmet can be picked up at a gear shop for around $30. These helmets do not impede anything, as no part of them is anywhere near your eyes or ears. How is this going to work into the argument of “I can’t see or hear anything when I wear a helmet?”

I do believe that the helmet law should be revised. I think that the new bill that is being introduced is a good idea. However, I don’t believe that it is being fought for the right reasons. If you start stating that full face helmets are dangerous on the road, who’s to say that the next bill wouldn’t outlaw full face helmets?

This is a fight that bikers have been slogging through for a long time. I just want the fight to be for the real reason, a biker’s choice. My choice will still be my full face helmet.