Possible bike laws in Oregon?
 

I've heard through a few sources that Oregon is planning on a possible state-wide law stating that all ages would be required to wear a helmet. This point, whether factual or not (I haven't done much research) brings up the debate.

I wear a helmet wherever I ride, whether it's down the street, on a 40 mile ride, or heading down a mountain trail. The way I see it, Oregon already has a mandatory seatbelt law, how is this really any different?

What is everyone else's take on safety laws regarding a person's right to wear a helmet or not?

I'd rather see laws addressing the rights of cyclists not to be hit and killed by cars. I'm all for helmet usage, but the law is murderously one-sided with respect to cyclists, and any meaningful efforts to mandate safety would address our utter lack of legal protection before ordering us to wear helmets everywhere.

Are you talking about Floyd Prozanski's proposal in July? Because that got shot down by the bicycling advocacy community.

While helmets are relatively popular among the adult in Portland, I have a hard time imagining it becoming mandatory without creating a huge cyclist backlash.

Ah, thank you! :)

I agree on all points.