Last April, Snyder approved a bill ending the almost 50-year safety law requiring all Michigan residents to wear helmets when riding motorcycles. Under the law, riders older than 21, who have two years of motorcycle experience and carry at least $20,000 in health insurance, can ride without a helmet.

Michigan joined 30 other states that allow adult riders to operate a motorcycle without wearing a helmet.

Snyder’s law stresses personal choice and puts the rider in control of his or her own safety. However, as novel as these concepts might be, this statute seems to de-emphasize the elephant in the room.

Plain and simple, wearing a helmet is the easiest way to avoid critical injury in the event of a motorcycle accident, and studies support this.

Using crash data from the Office of Highway Planning and Safety, a University of Michigan study estimated 26 deaths and 49 critical injuries could have been avoided last year if the rider had been wearing a helmet.

In 2011, the state saw 109 motorcycle deaths.

The study found these numbers changed the year Michigan’s no-helmet bill became law. In 2012, Michigan’s motorcyclist deaths increased by 18 percent — climbing to 129 since the previous year.

The study showed 74 percent of motorcyclists who crashed that year wore helmets, a number drastically lower than the 98 percent seen the previous three years.

Opponents of reinstating Michigan’s helmet law argue reversing the legislation might decrease the state’s revenue from tourism. They argue motorcyclists from other states will be annoyed at the hustle of having to carry a helmet, and ultimately decide against visiting Michigan.

These assumptions are broad and could very well be true. But when you consider the larger scope of this issue, none of that matters.

Above all, mandating Michigan’s motorcyclists to wear helmets is a positive move for the state.

No matter what assertions proponents for this law maintain, motorcyclists who don’t wear helmets are a liability on the road.

For other motorists — operating vehicles or bikes — the sight of a helmetless rider is an uncomfortable experience. For a sector of the population synonymous with having a fixation for intrepid speed, helmetless riders make other drivers nervous.

Although some could say this law hinders their basic rights, trying to justify this stance seems impossible to do.

Insisting Michigan’s motorcyclists wear a helmet while on the road is a major step toward improving the overall safety of our state’s roads. Much like enforcing seat belt policies, this standpoint seems sensible, practical and rationed using good sense.

For those who oppose, relish in the fact that — for now — riding without a helmet still is permissible in this state.

Just know its days could be numbered.