What the Law Says
Michigan law now allows motorcyclists to decide for themselves, if certain conditions are met, whether or not to wear a helmet.
To legally not wear a helmet, a motorcycle operator must:
The law also allows for motorcycle passengers to not wear a helmet. Passengers also may not wear a helmet as long as they:
A person younger than 21 years old still must wear a helmet approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation when operating or riding on a motorcycle. The requirement that an individual younger than 19 years old must wear a helmet if operating a moped on a public roadway is unchanged.
Learn More About Using a Helmet
To read more about properly using a motorcycle helmet, please see the video linked to above or this informational article from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which recommends wearing an approved helmet as well as over-the-ankle footwear, long pants, a long-sleeved jacket and full-fingered motorcycle gloves.
According to the article, "Since head injuries account for a majority of motorcycle fatalities, protection is vital. . . . Even the best helmet is no guarantee against injury. However, without a helmet you are more likely to have serious head injuries than a rider who is wearing one."