Assembly OKs Bill to Ease Helmet Law

A bill to partly repeal California’s 6-year-old motorcycle helmet law was narrowly approved Thursday by the Assembly, with the most impassioned support coming from cycle-riding legislators.

“It’s a matter of choice to ride a motorcycle [without a helmet]. You cannot take that freedom away from them,” said Assemblyman Joe Baca (D-Rialto), who said he and his wife ride motorcycles.

The bill, by Assemblywoman Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego) would exempt adults from a 1992 law that requires all passengers and riders to wear safety helmets while riding motorcycles.

The 41-30 vote, the bare majority needed to clear the 80-seat Assembly, sent the bill to the Senate, where at lest one earlier attempt to change the law died.

The helmet law, which outraged many motorcyclists, was approved amid graphic testimony of the frequency and severity of motorcycle injuries, and the costs of accidents to local ambulance and emergency crews. Opponents of the law said those descriptions were exaggerated.

The Ducheny bill would exempt riders from wearing helmets if they are at least 18 years of age and can show proof that they have medical insurance.

Assemblywoman Dion Aroner (D-Berkeley) said the repeal would result in more highway deaths.

Bills have been introduced to repeal or modify the law every year since it took effect, and motorcycle enthusiasts have held rallies each year on the Capitol lawn.

The Assembly last year approved a bill that would have kept the requirement only for motorcyclists under 21, but it was killed by a Senate committee.