Michigan is the 31st state to allow motorcyclists to ride without a helmet. Governor Rick Snyder has signed a measure to repeal Michigan’s four-decade-old helmet requirement.Michigan’s new law allows people 21 and older with training or two years experience to ride without helmets as long as they buy an additional 20 thousand dollars of injury coverage.
Ken Silfven is Governor Snyder’s spokesman. He says the governor was persuaded that Michigan should join the national trend. "A majority of states have already moved in this direction. Virtually all of our Great Lakes neighbors give motorcyclists this option.”
Bars, restaurants, resorts and campgrounds are expecting a windfall with more motorcycle tourism this summer.
Rider groups have lobbied to make Michigan a helmet-optional state since the helmet law was enacted in the 1970s. Their efforts have always been blocked by highway safety advocates, doctors, and insurance companies that insist repealing the helmet law will cause more deaths and serious injuries and boost medical costs.