Oregon’s motorcycle helmet bill stalls in committee

While much of the nation’s focus has been on the federal government and the political budget debate, Oregon safety advocates and riders have kept an eye on its own state legislature and a bill that would have offered a choice over mandatory motorcycle helmets.

But even as the Federal government found their compromise, Oregon politicians admitted in emails that the motorcycle helmet state legislation was stuck on the side of the political road.

Bill 3141 was introduced at a public hearing earlier in April and would have allowed motorcycle riders and their passengers 21 years and older a choice of whether to wear a helmet.

Where similar attempts had failed before, the bill’s sponsors felt the political make-up of the Oregon legislature and a unique sunset clause allowing for the law to be reviewed after being effect for eighteen months would be enough to see the bill succeed.

Under the proposed law, other riders who choose not to wear a helmet would have to carry $25,000 in personal injury protection in their vehicle insurance policy.

Oregon is one of 20 states that require all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet.  Twenty-seven states have motorcycle helmet laws that only require younger riders to do so, and three others do not have any helmet laws.

But apparently the bill became mired in the House Transportation Committee and doesn’t appear to moving forward with needed ‘work sessions’ to allow continued consideration of the legislation.

While opponents of the bill haven’t made any public statements, comments from those supporting the legislation felt not enough time or attention was given to those who were in favor of Bill 3141.

But as with past sessions of the State government, the bill’s proponents promised to be back next year to try again.

“We will be back next year. Perhaps next time we will have the courtesy of being actually listened to,” Mel Yeager of Albany, secretary-treasurer of BikePAC Oregon told the Democrat Herald.