The state House has approved a measure that would allow experienced motorcycle riders who are 21 or older to ignore Michigan's helmet requirement. The measure approved on a bipartisan vote would require riders who want to ditch their helmets to carry more insurance coverage. But opponents of the repeal say that's not enough.
State Representative Peter Petallia says helmets don't help riders in high-speed crashes and repealing the law won't affect the cost of coverage.
"I would not carry this torch today if I was not convinced of the safety of not wearing a helmet," he says.
"These increased financial costs have to be picked up by someone," counters state Representative Joan Bauer, who says if those costs don't result in higher insurance rates, they could be picked up by Medicaid. "And I fear that the rest of us will bear the responsibility for those who choose not to wear a helmet."
Governor Rick Snyder has been silent on this bill but has said he's against anything that would drive up the price of insurance or the cost to taxpayers.
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