HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC) - Biker's rumbled into the state Capitol Monday to speak out against a bill that would require all motorcycle riders and passengers in Connecticut to wear a helmet.
At the public hearing, Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association organizer Richard Paukner said some riders feel more aware when not wearing protective headgear. He added that whether or not a rider wears a helmet should be a matter of personal choice.
"As long as we are adults, and I'm not talking about minors I'm talking about adults, it's our right to choose when and where to wear protective headgear."
But National Transportation Safety Board member Jennifer Homendy sees the helmet requirement as a proven way to make roads safer, and reduce highway deaths. Homendy stressed the urgency of the safety issues at hand, citing statistics which showed an increase in motorcycle accidents in recent years.
"In 2016, there were 5,286 motorcycle crashes, which have doubled in the past 20 years. That concerns me."
