Motorcycle riders should be allowed to choose whether they want to wear a helmet or not. But they can only get that choice if they are willing to accept all the costs that could come as a result.

For years, Michigan motorcycle riders in the state have asked the Legislature to repeal of the state’s helmet law, citing the effectiveness of helmets, the number of other states that do not have mandatory helmet laws, and the number of actual motorcycle-related deaths and their causes. Previous attempts to repeal the law have failed, but activists are trying again with a bill sponsored by state Rep. Gene DeRossett, R-Manchester, which would allow riders 21 and older to choose for themselves.

DeRossett’s bill has passed the House and is sitting in a Senate committee.

The motorcycle helmet law is in the same spirit as the mandatory seat belt law, in that they are both designed to save people’s lives, using regulations to encourage and enforce laws that may prevent serious injury.

Of course there are many things in our society that are extremely harmful, but citizens are allowed to make the choice to indulge in them anyway.

Smoking and drinking still occur despite governmental warnings.

And regardless of warnings and safety regulations, some motorcycle riders take their lives into their own hands by choosing not to wear a helmet.

If they feel that they are better served without any safety equipment, then so be it.

But there needs to be some regulation in place. Instead of a mandatory helmet law, different laws should be in place to remove the costs of a fatal or serious accident from society.

Riders who don’t wear helmets should have to pay significantly higher insurance premiums, get personal injury coverage, and be made fully aware that the cost of their decisions lay squarely on their shoulders. If a person chooses to ride without a helmet, then so be it - but all responsibility, both physical and financial, belongs to the rider.

If those additional costs are too high for those who ride motorcycles, then there should be no need for legislation to repeal the helmet law. It would be impossible to alter the law to separate those who wear helmets and those who don’t - every biker has to be included in the move.

It shouldn’t be up to taxpayers to have to pay for uninsured riders who injure themselves, especially when their injury could have been prevented or lessened by use of proper safety equipment. The current legislation includes no provision for personal injury accidents, and taxpayers could end up picking up the tab for another person’s errant choice.

Danger is an accepted part of motorcycle riding, and the risk of severe injury is a known factor to most riders.

If riders want to take responsibility for all the costs of their safety decisions, then it is fully their right to do so, and no governmental body should stand in the way.

But to do so, riders must be aware that they risk paying the ultimate price for a little wind in their hair.