Blogs

Welcome to my website! Enjoy and have a great ride....
Login

Motorcycle safety: NO HELMET?!

Season 6: Project Alaska

1 August 2022

My previous blog about whether I think Mexico is a dangerous for motorcycling, sparked an interesting debate. It got me to think about something else regarding safety that I noticed now that I crossed into the United States: helmets. Or to be more specific: the lack of helmets. As a European, seeing motorcyclists riding without helmets is quite an unfamiliar sight. Bikers riding 120 km/hr with nothing more than a bandana wrapped around their heads. Every time I see a rider like that, I just die a little inside. Why wouldn't you want to protect your most vital body part?  

Helmet laws

It shocked me so much to see this, that I fired up my laptop to browse the web looking for information on helmet laws in the USA. Turns out, that out of 50 states, helmets are only mandatory for all riders in 19 states. Nineteen states only! The other states either don't require a helmet by law, or only for riders up until a certain age (17 or 20 years old). To me, that just sounds absolutely insane. As if you won't hurt your head if you crash if you are above 20 years old. Younger riders might take more risks, but an accident can happen to any motorcyclist. Regardless of experience or age.

Wrong helmet    

To enforce wearing a helmet by law is one thing. However, if wearing a motorcycle helmet is not mandatory, you can still choose to wear one. Instead, I saw countless motorcyclists riding in the USA without a helmet. That means they actively choose not to protect their head. I was intrigued with the reasoning behind that. Some more internet browsing taught me that according to some polls, many don't want to wear a helmet because they claim it gives them physical discomfort. Or they claim that it results in visual limitations. My response to those reasons is that they've just been wearing the wrong helmet. A good quality helmet will not give you any discomfort nor any visual limitations. Personally, I think it has more to do with how some people feel a biker should look like. A helmet doesn't make them look cool (enough). 

Don't get me wrong, I also find it important to have riding gear that is flattering and looks good. I even try to match my gear with the colour of my motorcycle. So, I get it. But looks should never, I repeat never, get prioritized over basic motorcycle safety. I don't know if I can speak for more riders, but to me, I actually enjoy the feeling of my helmet on my head. The way it squeezes my face and feeling the weight of it makes me feel secure and in my element. To all bikers that use the physical discomfort as a reason for not wearing a helmet, I say: buy a better helmet and just get used to the feeling! 

Hypocritical

I'm not sure why this topic struck such a chord with me. Perhaps it is the daily messages that I receive with all sorts of warnings about how dangerous the world and what I'm doing is. (Please read the previous blog where I talk more about this). Having a lot of people tell me how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle solo around the world and then seeing people riding around their hometown without a helmet seems hypocritical. Or at least, it's another example of how we all perceive danger and risk differently. 

 I would rather ride hundreds of thousands of kilometers solo around the world, than ride one kilometer on a highway without a helmet. But hey, that's just me! 

Comments
(123)

Login to comment
Your reply

Well said, Noraly! It is certainly shocking that some people ride without protective gear. No common sense in that decision.
Thank you for your wonderful content that you share with all! Wishing you a speedy recovery for your ankle and safe journeys ahead!! From another ATGATT girl 👍(FL, U.S.A.)

Gypsy  | 

Thanks Gypsy!
Best, Noraly

Noraly  | 

I have been riding in the states for 50 plus years and never once rode without a helmet. But many of my friends do. I cringe when seeing them ride that way and have had a few friends go down while not wearing one.
Enjoy your riding in the states and I hope you get to see some of the 14ers in Colorado.

dwatson636  | 

Glad to hear you always wear a helmet!
Best, Noraly

Noraly  | 

I fully agree and understand your point of view!
I was one of probably plenty that had my worries about your trip through Mexico, and instead you got injured on one of your very first days in USA. Ironic in many ways, but good that it was "just" a sprained ankle and not something entirely different or with more severe outcome. What I'm trying to say is that is just doesn't happen when you think it might. And why gamble with one's nugget?

I'm about to buy a motorcycle, and in reality I'm starting out with all the safety gear that I will be wearing. I don't care how much discount I'm offered, or how fancy it looks. If it doesn't match the security/safety criteria that I have as a bare minimum then there will be no purchase at all! The lid is THE very first item on the list, and it will be either a flip lid, or a full-face one. Next after that comes the boots suitable for my style of riding. And the list goes on and have to be complete.

For the safety of others I don't drive/ride drunk, and for my own safety I don't drive/ride without ample protection. It is that easy.

Caveat: Murphy's Law will always find a way to circumvent that, but at least you know you can't blame yourself.

Jonas E  | 

Good safety gear is so important!
Best, Noraly

Noraly  | 

I hope your ankle is healing well. Absolutely with you on ATGATT. Here in the south of France, it can get uncomfortable when the temps are in the 30s, even with good mesh gear like mine, but that's nothing to the discomfort of even a small off without proper protection. I cringe at the amount of exposed flesh I see around here on bikes - perhaps I have too much imagination. Unfortunately, many of them will find out the hard way.

Simon Willis  | 

I would also prefer to be uncomfortable in the heat than wear no gear!
Best, Noraly

Noraly  | 

I don't know if this is uniquely American but what I find even stranger are riders who wear useless beanie caps to comply with the law. They're too small to offer any protection, they're made of cheap plastic, have no crushable foam liner to absorb the shock and the straps are just toys. Even worse are the $10 Nazi helmets which have a protruding lip that can catch a curb, post, bumper, whatever as you're sliding down the road and break your neck. I mean, if you're going to wear a helmet, wear one that will do the job!

My guiding mantra has always been, "Dress to crash, not to ride." You don't have the luxury of knowing that your current trip won't come to an early and surprising end. My upstate ride in 2012 proved that. I was thankful that all I had was an open ankle fracture. The bike was totaled. The armored leathers, f/f Arai, Nomex gloves and back protector did their sacrificial jobs. I just wish I was wearing taller armored boots at the time, like yours.

WalkTheDogs  | 

Sorry about your totaled bike and fractured ankle but I'm glad your gear protected you.
Best, Noraly

Noraly  | 

Land of the Free also means free to be stupid. The lack of American laws on things that astound Europeans is an old trend, and one that is eagerly embraced by many. Shows up in guns, helmets, vaccinations/masking during pandemic, healthcare, etc. etc.

For better or worse, it's a defining characteristic of the American culture. Education has been tried, and there used to be many more laws about such things, but laws that restrict freedom of choice are often challenged in the courts and many fail.

In the end, people have to decide on their own risk tolerance and have to accept the consequences. Not the government's job to dictate such things. That, of course, comes with many rationalizations.

I find that your response to all the "dangerous" comments on your videos mirrors mine. The people worrying about dangers to you might actually have more risk in their own day-to-day lives, but they (knowingly or unknowingly) accept those risks. But that's also truly American -- individually choosing what risks to pay attention to and which ones to ignore/worry about.

When I returned to the US after living abroad as an expat for a decade or so, it took me a while to adjust to the idea that I'm solely and personally responsible for managing my own risks and not worrying about what decisions others make. It's kind of a defining difference between Europe and the US.

JohnaMar  | 

The laws in the USA often seem hard for us to understand on the other side of the pond, but it’s their country. In the UK I am amazed when it gets hot how many motorcyclists ride with shorts, bare arms and no gloves. Probably many of the same riders would not wear a helmet if they didn’t have to. ATGATT! 🇬🇧🏍

Stewy62  | 

In the US we don't like the Government telling us what to do. I agree 100% it is stupid to not wear the proper safety gear, but Darwin is hard at work in the US. The age laws are in place because even young adults aren't mentally capable (its a developmental thing) of making the proper decision. Once old enough, people here have the right to make their own choices with exceptions- even if its a terrible choice.

I grew up riding dirt bikes, but my dad is a Physical Therapist and put the fear of God in us for street bikes because daily he saw just how horrendous the outcome can be for motorcycle riders.

But life is dangerous and the most dangerous thing we do everyday is getting in a vehicle and driving (or riding) around. If something is going to happen to me, I would much rather it happen while launching off a sand dune, or up some crazy hill climb, -or travelling the world like you!- than while going to the grocery store. How boring is life when you just sit at home!

You are living an amazing life! Even those who fear for your safety wish they could be doing what you are doing and I'm sure you have inspired even them to get out and stretch their own boundaries at least a little!
Be safe! And I really hope you carry an inReach type satellite communicator when you are in the middle of no where alone!

RAMifications  | 

I live in Utah. As you know, we have no helmet la. I wear a helmet, jacket, and pants. etc. Why do we need a law to get people to wear helmets? Want more freedom? Want fewer laws? Prove we don't need them!

Bob Irwin  | 

Last week i had a discusion with my colleague's about wearing protection. I feel unsafe if i don't were any protection. Helm, gloves, jacket, pants, boots. Even if i just had to move the motor a bit, i get the feeling to put all the gear on.
Today it was 29°C in NL and i rather suffer from the heat than being less protected during the ride.
Even the Itchy scarf is a part that i always wear. In the beginning of riding the motor(2014) i didn't use scarff and after a small rock and a bumblebee there is no discusion needed to wear it.

Jeroen  | 

Glad to hear that an Itchy Boots Scarf is part of your gear:)
Best, Noraly

Noraly  | 
Load new messages

Still itchy?

Related blog posts

Do you have to speak the local language when traveling on a motorcycle?

Stories from the road North America

Cross Country Rally on a Beta 500 RRS

Stories from the road North America