BikeFest riders say no-helmet law is symbol of freedom
EDITOR'S NOTE: The headline has been corrected to remove a reference to the number of crashes.
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. (KMIZ)
The 17th annual BikeFest brought over a thousand bike riders from around the country to the Lake of the Ozarks, bringing motorcycle safety to the top of mind.
Under Missouri law, motorcyclists over the age of 26 are not required to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle. The Missouri Department of Transportation encourages bike riders to drive slowly, wear a helmet, and not drive under the influence to avoid accidents.
BikeFest goers said the decision to wear a helmet is ultimately up to the rider.
"America's kind of always been a freedom thing. I guess I feel it should be your right if you want to or not. It's been proven that how much to save lives and so forth. There are statistics on everything, but to me, I feel it should be up to the rider," said Thomas Speer.
A report from Quote Wizard shows the U.S. had more than 5,500 deaths caused by motorcycle accidents in 2021.
Two people were sent to hospital Sunday morning after a crash occurred on 1070 Union Electric Road. Both have been reported with minor injuries.
According to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety 2022 report, there is a 38% increase in deaths for riders who do not wear a helmet. 81% of motorcycle accidents result in a fatality, and over 620 people died from a motorcycle incident last year. Out of the 620 deaths, 566 were men and 54 were female.
