A bill that would allow motorcycle passengers to decide whether to wear a helmet skidded to defeat Thursday on the House floor. The bill's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Charlene Lima of Cranston, told House members the decision to wear a helmet is personal, and is viewed by motorcycle advocates as a civil liberties issue. Current Rhode Island law requires passengers to wear helmets, but drivers have a choice. But Representatives voted 43-47 against one part of the legislation that would require only passengers under 18 to wear helmets. They voted 33-54 against another part of the bill that would allow those who ride on the back of a motorcycle to decide whether to wear a helmet.
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Lima said the bill had backing from the Rhode Island Motorcycle Association, which plans to offer educational programs to encourage helmet use. She said she would rather have motorcyclists choose to wear helmets in response to RIMA programs than have the state mandate it. Rising in opposition, Rep. Robert Flaherty, D-Warwick, pointed to Texas, which has passed a law similar to Lima's bill. Build your own PC and shop for hardware Monitor Classifieds Use AdHound for e-mail delivery of classified ads.