According to the Washington Post, Representative Derrick Van Orden and Senator Tim Sheehy recently introduced the Ride in Freedom Act. This legislation would prevent the Washington D.C. government from mandating helmets for motorcyclists and passengers. Currently, the district's law requires helmets for riders of all ages.

Van Orden, a frequent Harley-Davidson rider, intends for the nation's capital to serve as a starting point for a broader national discussion on repealing similar regulations across the country. In his home state of Wisconsin and Senator Sheehy's state of Montana, helmet laws only apply to individuals under 18 years old.

Representative Derrick Van Orden riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Photo: *Derrick Van Orden*

Accident statistics reveal roads are not getting safer for motorcyclists. Washington D.C., a relatively small area, has recorded 6 motorcycle fatalities year-to-date. This number is an increase from 2 cases in 2025 but a decrease from 10 cases in 2024. Since 2014, at least 67 people have died in motorcycle accidents in the area, though city data does not indicate whether they were wearing helmets.

According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 6,228 motorcyclists died in crashes across the US in 2024. This accounts for 16% of all traffic fatalities, despite motorcycles representing a very small proportion of vehicles on the road. This total is about three times higher than in 1997.

In a related aspect, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) estimated in 2023 that motorcyclists face a nearly 28 times higher risk of death per mile traveled compared to car occupants.

While a helmet cannot prevent a car driver from colliding with a motorcycle or a drunk rider from making a poor decision, it offers the best head protection for motorcyclists in the event of a crash.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in 2023, 51% of motorcyclists killed in states without comprehensive mandatory helmet laws were not wearing helmets. In contrast, this figure was only 10% in states with such mandates, like Washington D.C.

In the US, only three states—Iowa, New Hampshire, and Illinois—do not mandate motorcycle helmets for any age. This means riders and passengers of all ages can ride without a helmet.

Seventeen states, including Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, specifically mandate helmets for riders under 18 years old.

The remaining states require all motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets with properly fastened straps. Violations can result in fines up to USD 250 and may lead to legal or insurance complications after an accident.

Many argue that adults should have the right to decide the risks they accept. However, operating a motorcycle is inherently more demanding than most other vehicles on the road. According to Carscoops, viewing helmets as merely an annoyance "ignores the reality that the line between so-called 'freedom' and a permanent injury or a funeral is often very thin."

My Anh