After being in effect since 1990, the Nebraska’s mandatory motorcycle law may be repealed if a current proposal in the legislature is passed. However, the proposal doesn’t sway those who see the devastation that can be caused by motorcycle crashes.

Police Weigh In

“As a police officer, I’m pro-helmet,” said Columbus Police Captain, Todd Thalken. He used to be a motorcycle owner who rode lid-less before the 20-year-old state helmet requirement went into effect and has also ridden with a helmet. “I can see both sides of the issue.”

Platte County Sheriff, Jon Zavadil, also sees the benefits of helmets.

“I’d think that motorcycle riders would want any advantage they could get (in the event of an accident),” Zavadil said. Riders don’t have much chance without a helmet of escaping injury in the case of an accident, especially on the highway or the interstate, he said.

Zavadil also mentioned that when Texas recently repealed its helmet law, it saw a corresponding increase in injuries.

Other Amendments

Other amendments conspired to have the bill be unsuccessful. This included requiring motorcycle riders to have long term care insurance in case they sustained serious injuries.

Some elements of the bill may gather support such as requiring that only riders who are 21 or older could go helmet free, requiring riders to wear eye protection and relook at the helmet law repeal in five years.

Since 1997, six states have repealed a mandatory helmet law. If passed, Nebraska would be the seventh.

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