October 10, 2014 1:15 PM PDT
My brother (8 years older) started riding in Texas when a helmet wasn't required. He never wore a helmet when it wasn't required (and even sometimes when it was). By the time I started riding helmets were required so I always rode with one. I moved away with the Army to Ft. Campbell, Ky/Tennessee where helmets were also required.
The helmet law was repealed in Texas and I remember in the mid 70s when heading for San Antonio on a 2 week leave I was excited because finally I didn't have to wear a helmet after crossing the Lone Star state line. Well, I pulled into the welcome center for some water and to remove the helmet. Pulled back on the interstate hit about 70 and took a good long look at things. The sounds and the feeling of exposure were deafening. After about 3-4 miles I pulled to the shoulder and put the helmet back on. I've not ridden without a helmet since. As I was required to wear a helmet when an Army pilot some have said the helmet gave me a safe feeling and became sort of a security blanket. That and most probably the fact as a HEMS pilot in the US I picked up a lot of donors on the side of the road that just might have been alive if for a helmet.
Now, I believe in freedoms and believe helmets should be a personal choice. But, with exercising freedom also comes responsibility. I read some stats in the 70s about how in accidents resulting in serious head injuries to motorcycle riders riding without a helmet 70-80% (don't remember exact number but it was way high) those riders also didn't have sufficient hospitalization insurance. Hence, becoming the taxpayer's burden. So, I became an advocate of personal choice for helmets but only if the chooser had sufficient personal insurance.
As I understand the law in Texas now is an adult may choose to not wear a helmet as long as they have proof of personal insurance if stopped. Thank you internet.
My $0.02
November 22, 2014 3:30 AM PST
Your head, your choice but I elected to wear one BEFORE they were required.
Still remember the day New York made them mandatory - people zipping about wearing football helmets, polo helmets, WWII steel pots and one guy wearing a plastic bucket with the bail tucked under his chin