FLYING against common wisdom and medical advice, some riders living in the state of Missouri will now be able to leave their motorcycle helmet at home and ride with an alfresco bonce!
The new law, due to come into force on 28th August 2020, means that as long as the rider has an appropriate level of medical insurance and is over the age of 26 years old, a motorcycle helmet is a voluntary item and can now be left at home.
Yamaha Tricity 300 walkaround
The move now means that just 19 of the 50 US states must wear a motorcycle helmet, and it is not the first time that Missouri has tried to repeal its motorcycle helmet laws. The governor of the state was so happy to roll back helmet laws that he was even willing to allow those over the age of 18 to ride without a lid, although that wasn’t passed.
Missouri’s helmet repeal isn’t the first or only recent U-turn from a US state, with Nebraska trying and failing to change the legislation last year.
American states and motorcycle helmet laws:
State | Riders Required To Have Helmets |
|---|---|
Alabama | All riders |
Alaska | 17 and younger |
Arizona | 17 and younger |
Arkansas | 20 and younger |
California | All riders |
Colorado | 17 and younger and passengers 17 and younger |
Connecticut | 17 and younger |
Delaware | 18 and younger |
District of Columbia | All riders |
Florida | 20 and younger |
Georgia | All riders |
Hawaii | 17 and younger |
Idaho | 17 and younger |
Illinois | No law |
Indiana | 17 and younger |
Iowa | No law |
Kansas | 17 and younger |
Kentucky | 20 and younger |
Louisiana | All riders |
Maine | 17 and younger |
Maryland | All riders |
Massachusetts | All riders |
Michigan | 20 and younger |
Minnesota | 17 and younger |
Mississippi | All riders |
Missouri | All riders (changes on 28 Aug 2020) |
Montana | 17 and younger |
Nebraska | All riders |
Nevada | All riders |
New Hampshire | No law |
New Jersey | All riders |
New Mexico | 17 and younger |
New York | All riders |
North Carolina | All riders |
North Dakota | 17 and younger |
Ohio | 17 and younger |
Oklahoma | 17 and younger |
Oregon | All riders |
Pennsylvania | 20 and younger |
Rhode Island | 20 and younger |
South Carolina | 20 and younger |
South Dakota | 17 and younger |
Tennessee | All riders |
Texas | 20 and younger |
Utah | 17 and younger |
Vermont | All riders |
Virginia | All riders |
Washington | All riders |
West Virginia | All riders |
Wisconsin | 17 and younger |
Wyoming | 17 and younger |
