Lincoln, Nebraska – In a significant development, the Nebraska Legislature has given its approval to a bill that will revoke the helmet mandate for motorcyclists aged 21 and above.
Under the conditions of LB138, motorcyclists who have successfully completed a safety course are entitled to opt out of wearing a helmet. The enactment of the bill is dependent on Governor Jim Pillen’s signature.
The bill, designed to offer flexibility and personal choice to seasoned riders in Nebraska, has already stimulated an influx of unlicensed, long-term motorcyclists eager to formalize their safety training. Steph Politt from the Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson Riding Academy mentioned that their phones started ringing as soon as the news broke out that the bill was heading to the governor’s office.
However, not everyone is in favor of the bill’s passage. A coalition of safety organizations and medical professionals, including AAA Nebraska, has voiced their discontent regarding the repeal of the helmet requirement, citing potential traffic safety risks and the potential loss of lives.
Brian Ortner, a public affairs specialist from AAA Nebraska, emphasized on the increasing numbers of deaths in states that had abolished their helmet laws, taking Missouri as an example where deaths among helmetless riders rose by nearly 800% post the repeal in 2020.
Despite the differences in viewpoints, safety education remains a shared focus for both sides. For seasoned riders like Politt, this bill could encourage further education and improved training. Having been a rider for less than a decade, she supports the newly provided choice but insists on the importance of safety, both in practice and in her teaching.
While the bill’s opponents like Ortner stress the collective responsibility of maintaining public safety on roads, Politt takes a balanced approach by focusing on fostering better riders. She believes that if the bill can motivate even a single person to enhance their safety knowledge, it counts as a significant victory. The helmet law’s future lies with the Nebraska riders and how they decide to navigate their newly gained freedom responsibly.
