Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

9-2-89 Saturday. A new Texas law requires that motorcyclists wear helmets. Michigan has had such a law for many years, and if I’m not mistaken Arizona recently enacted a similar provision. Moreover, in the past year or so, Texas enacted a seat-belt law. What is the world coming to? Michigan I can understand, because it’s politically liberal. But Texas? This is supposed to be the last bastion of individualism and the frontier spirit. It’s the Lone Star State, for God’s sake! I’m surprised, frankly, that the mere mention of a helmet law didn’t bring thousands of bikers down on Austin. The interesting thing about helmet laws is that the main opposition is ideological rather than practical. Realistically speaking, wearing a helmet neither interferes with one’s riding pleasure nor costs very much. It’s the symbolism that grates on people, for here is the government—the big bad state, the would-be father—telling adults what to do. How dare they! Naturally, there were cries of protest when the law took effect yesterday. Hundreds of leather-clad motorcyclists gathered in Austin, the state capital, to protest the law. Many bikers vowed to flaunt [sic; should be “flout”] the law, but police officers vowed just as strongly to ticket them if they do. In a few days it’ll blow over. Bikers will buy and wear helmets, albeit grudgingly. Police officers will keep their eyes open for bareheaded riders. The rest of us, citizens all, will go about our business, wary of but gratified that there is government.