Why Should Motorcycle Helmets Not be Mandatory?

We all know why motorbike helmets are mandatory but have you wondered why should motorcycle helmets should not be mandatory? Here’s the answer. 

Motorcycle helmets should not be mandatory because of rider independence and maximum airflow while riding. According to some riders, they feel the helmet interferes with their hairstyle. But because of rider safety, some states in the US make helmets mandatory for riders. 

Let’s look at what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about motorbike helmet issues.

I highly recommend riders wear motorbike helmets for their own safety, this post doesn’t teach anyone not to wear them. 

Why Should Motorcycle Helmets Not be Mandatory? 

We all know why helmets are mandatory because of rider safety but have you wondered why motorcycle helmets are not mandatory? 

Helmets should not be mandatory because of the following reasons: 

Why should motorcycle helmets not be mandatory?	Details:
Interface with rider independence.	Independence issues make riders hate wearing helmets and feel someone interfaces with their independence when they wear motorbike helmets.
Airflow issue.	Low airflow makes riders hate motorbike helmets, and that’s why motorbike helmets shouldn’t be mandatory but should be left to personal choice.
Hair Fall problems.	Wearing a motorbike helmet puts extra stress on the rider’s hair and makes them fall.

Interface with Rider Independence: 

People of the US always love independence, and it’s also true when it’s about riding a motorbike. 

Independence issues make riders hate wearing helmets and feel someone interfaces with their independence when they wear motorbike helmets. 

And that’s why helmets should not be mandatory but should be only a personal choice. 

Make Hair Fall: 

Wearing a motorbike helmet puts extra stress on the rider’s hair. It makes them fall, and that’s why a helmet should not be mandatory but should be a personal choice. 

Airflow Issue: 

Let’s be honest here, some tight motorbike helmets make riders suffocate because of low airflow, and it can worsen when it’s summertime. 

Low airflow makes riders hate motorbike helmets, and that’s why motorbike helmets shouldn’t be mandatory but should be left to personal choice. 

Note: motorbike helmets are beneficial. Every rider should at least wear it while riding to protect their head from severe injuries. 

Do Motorcycle Helmets Save Live?

Motorcycle helmets are probably the most essential thing that you should include in your motorcycle gear list. 

Helmets protect you from any life-threatening head injuries.

But let’s not reach a conclusion yet; I’ve some studies to show which can clear any doubt you might have. 

National Highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) published a report concluding that helmets saved more than 1800 riders’ lives in 2016. 

In the same report, NHTSA claimed that 809 people could also save their lives if they wore a helmet, but unfortunately, they didn’t wear it while riding.

You can see the report here on page no 8.

Motorcycle helmets proved to be 37% effective for motorbike riders and 41% for motorbike passengers. 

Think in this way, every 37 riders and 41 motorbike passengers could have saved their lives if they wore helmets. 

NHTSA also published a report in 2017 concluding, that the US alone can save more than $1 billion if all riders wear motorcycle helmets. 

And our government could use this $1 billion for better use. 

You can see the report here.

Another non-profitable organization combined more than 60 studies. The final result in 2008 concluded that helmets can reduce death caused by severe accidents by 42%. 

And can reduce the risk of severe injuries by 69%. 

You can read the study in detail on Pubmed NIH.

However, in the above studies, I didn’t find the effect of helmets on neck and cheek injuries. 

These studies also have insufficient data concluding the effect of helmet types on head injuries. More studies are still needed on the impact of helmet types on head injuries.  

Overall, motorcycle helmets do save lives. 

What Happens if you Crash Without Motorcycle Helmets: 

You just read how important a motorbike helmet is. Let’s see what happens if you crash without a motorcycle helmet.

Without a motorcycle helmet, you’ll face life-threatening head traumatic injuries which might take your life. It will impact your financial situation too, which is more true if you’re the only earner in your family. Insurance companies will consider you partially faulty; thus, you wouldn’t claim your insurance too. 

Intelligent are those who learn lessons from others’ past experiences, and I think this is even more true if it’s about your precious life. 

Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it. 

I’m dividing the answer into two parts:

• Medical problems. 
• Financial Problems. 

Medical Problems: 

If you ever encounter severe life-threatening head injuries, then it’s confirmed that you will spend your months in hospital.

Maybe you will have multiple head surgeries, which might reduce your ability to think and learn. Or even, you might not ride your motorbike again ever. 

If you’re the only earner in your family, the situation gets worse because hospitals charge you thousands of dollars.

Financial Problems: 

Unpaid bills may force you to think about insurance settlements, but unfortunately, you might not even claim your insurance. 

And the situation may become worse if you live in a state like Wahington. Why? Because Washington is a negligence jurisdiction (RCW 4.22.005). 

It means you’ll consider a person who is liable for your own injuries. Suppose you failed to take the necessary steps to protect yourself from severe head injuries. In that case, you’ll be considered partially faulty for your own damage. 

Insurance companies will use your situation as an excuse. It might be possible they will reduce your settlement cost by half. 

Even if you win the settlement war, you also have to settle for half the settlement cost for your own damage. 

Overall it doesn’t mean you won’t get the settlement amount for your own damage. 

You can still claim your settlement, just don’t forget to call an excellent experienced motorcycle accident attorney before claiming your settlement. 

So, I hope now you know what happens when you crash without a motorbike helmet. 

And the best thing about this is you can avoid the whole situation by purchasing and wearing a good motorbike helmet. 

Buy and wear a motorcycle helmet, before you miss the boat. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed what is motorcycle jet helmet, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict:

Why should motorcycle helmets not be mandatory? Motorcycle helmets should not be mandatory because of rider independence and maximum airflow while riding. 

According to some riders, they feel the helmet interferes with their hairstyle. But because of rider safety, some states in the US make helmets mandatory for riders. 

I’ve also mentioned why you should always wear a motorbike helmet and what will happen if you don’t wear a motorbike helmet.