Inquirer Editorial: Hardheads

In what has become a welcome annual rite, a Pittsburgh-area legislator has reintroduced a commonsense proposal to reinstate the requirement that all motorcycle riders in Pennsylvania must wear helmets.

Earlier helmet-reform efforts by Rep. Dan Frankel (D., Allegheny) have only served to galvanize protests by motorcycle riders. In 2003, they convinced lawmakers and then-Gov. Edward G. Rendell to scrap the state's broad mandate for protective headgear.

Unfortunately, this time around, Frankel expects the same disappointing result.

Any motorcyclist of drinking age - and those younger who have taken a safety course - are now free to ride without a helmet. And summer's warm weather, which entices them to take to the road, is helping to provide fresh evidence that the lax helmet rules make absolutely no sense.

One recent week saw several Philadelphia-area bikers die after crashing without a helmet.

As Frankel notes, helmetless motorcyclists who crash are far more likely than their helmeted counterparts to be victims of devastating and potentially fatal head, spinal, and other injuries.

Researchers have documented the added risk of death and injury faced by these riders, and they peg the cost to the state treasury at $18 million in annual hospital costs, plus $55 million a year for disability and long-term care.

Yet, while motorists are greeted by a proliferation of "click it or ticket" seat-belt law warnings, any adult astride a Harley hog can speed along without the most crucial, protective gear.

No-helmet advocates still insist that it's a personal choice. But there is no good reason that helmet use should be any more of an option than wearing a seat belt or, for that matter, driving on the righthand side of the road.