The Motorcycle Helmet Debate: My Personal Journey Through Safety, Freedom, and Loss
This page contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission.
Few topics spark more heated debate among riders and non‑riders than motorcycle helmet laws. Across Canada, every province requires helmets. In the United States, the rules vary widely — some states mandate helmets for all riders, others only for certain ages or insurance levels, and a few leave the choice entirely up to the individual.
In British Columbia, where I live, we once had what many called the “beanie law.” As long as your helmet had a hard shell and a soft interior, it was considered legal. That’s no longer the case, but it shaped a lot of my early riding years.
How My Helmet Choices Evolved
When I started riding at 18, I wore a full‑face helmet religiously. I couldn’t understand why anyone would choose anything less. For years, I believed riding with anything but a full‑face was reckless.
Then one day, out of nowhere, I decided to try a 3/4 helmet. The increased visibility was incredible. Within a week, I’d adjusted so quickly that I bought a half helmet — and suddenly I owned three new helmets but only wore the half.
In 2006, I flew into Denver and rode down the interstate beside a rider with no helmet at all. I remember thinking, “We’re doing 80 mph — what happens if you go down?” At that time, I couldn’t imagine riding without one.
That changed in 2007 during a trip through Arizona. Along Highway 89A, in the middle of nowhere, we decided to take photos riding without helmets. First Cal, then me, then my wife. The feeling was unbelievable — pure freedom. When the photos were done, Cal and I kept riding helmetless down 89A, and for the next two years, I rode without a helmet whenever the law allowed it.
The Accident That Changed Everything
In late October 2008, the unthinkable happened. My sister was thrown from the back of a motorcycle and lost her life. She was wearing a high‑quality 3/4 helmet.
The day before her cremation, a few of us went to see her one last time. I was warned about the visible injuries, but I needed to go in. What I saw was devastating. Even with a 3/4 helmet, she had taken a massive blow to the exposed part of her face. I can’t say with certainty that a full‑face helmet would have saved her, but the injuries suggested she would have had a much higher chance of survival.
That image is burned into my mind. After that, I swore I would return to a full‑face helmet. I traded my bike for one with ABS and put the full‑face back on. But something unexpected happened.
Safety vs. Awareness: A Surprising Realization
When I started riding again with the full‑face helmet, I felt less aware of my surroundings. My field of vision felt restricted. My senses felt muted. I assumed it was nerves from getting back on the bike — but the feeling didn’t go away.
After two weeks, I tried my half helmet again. Immediately, I felt more connected to the road and more aware of everything around me. That was a turning point.
The Moment I Chose My Path
In early 2009, we rode into Idaho — the first time since my sister’s accident that I was in a no‑helmet state. I decided to try riding without a helmet again.
I lasted one stop. Sixty miles of thinking, “Don’t go down. You don’t have a helmet. Don’t go down.” That was enough. I realized that if I couldn’t enjoy the ride because of the fear, then the freedom wasn’t worth it.
Since that day, I haven’t ridden on the highway without a helmet, and I have no desire to.
Where I Stand Today
So where do I land in the helmet debate?
I have a 21‑year‑old daughter who rides. I bought her a full‑face helmet for her birthday, and I always encourage her to wear it. My wife and I currently wear half helmets, though I’m seriously considering moving back to a 3/4 helmet next season.
And here’s the part that will make someone angry no matter how I say it:
I believe that once you reach the age of majority, you should have the right to choose whether you wear a helmet — except for my daughter.
I’m also fine with laws requiring certain insurance levels to ride without one. But ultimately, I believe the choice should belong to the rider.
Add comment