"If I'm going to fall off that motorcycle and hit my head on this pavement or concrete out here I want something between me and whatever I'm going to hit," says traffic patrolman Officer Mike Ricker.
It may be an option for riders, but every motorcycle rider is not exempt from wearing a helmet.
"Contrary to popular belief there is a mandatory helmet law in the state of Texas. You can be exempted from that law, though, by either attending an approved safety course or by maintaining health insurance that will cover you in case you're in a motorcycle crash," said Ned Maybee, who owns Abilene Motorcycle Safety School.
But even in the motorcycle safety courses, riders are encouraged to wear a helmet.
"No matter how vigilant you are, there's always going to be that unexpected thing that comes out and catches you by surprise. If you don't see it, circumstances could be detrimental," says instructor Gil Perez.
Some believe a helmet can cause more damage in an accident, but many said they've never experienced anything like that.
"I've laid it down a few times, I've hit the pavement and I've always had a helmet on and it's been my experience that the helmet helped me," said Officer Ricker. "So I would try to encourage younger riders, wear that helmet."
While some say helmet use should be enforced the same way seat belt use is, some riders say it's a personal choice for a reason.
"You as a passenger in a car can become a missile. Either impacting a passenger in another car or through a window and can hurt someone else. As a motorcyclist, you're not really impacting anyone else other than inanimate objects most of the time. You don't stand the chance of hurting anyone but yourself," said Perez. "So that's why I believe it's a personal choice."
It may be an option for riders, but every motorcycle rider is not exempt from wearing a helmet.
"Contrary to popular belief there is a mandatory helmet law in the state of Texas. You can be exempted from that law, though, by either attending an approved safety course or by maintaining health insurance that will cover you in case you're in a motorcycle crash," said Ned Maybee, who owns Abilene Motorcycle Safety School.
But even in the motorcycle safety courses, riders are encouraged to wear a helmet.
"No matter how vigilant you are, there's always going to be that unexpected thing that comes out and catches you by surprise. If you don't see it, circumstances could be detrimental," says instructor Gil Perez.
Some believe a helmet can cause more damage in an accident, but many said they've never experienced anything like that.
"I've laid it down a few times, I've hit the pavement and I've always had a helmet on and it's been my experience that the helmet helped me," said Officer Ricker. "So I would try to encourage younger riders, wear that helmet."
While some say helmet use should be enforced the same way seat belt use is, some riders say it's a personal choice for a reason.
"You as a passenger in a car can become a missile. Either impacting a passenger in another car or through a window and can hurt someone else. As a motorcyclist, you're not really impacting anyone else other than inanimate objects most of the time. You don't stand the chance of hurting anyone but yourself," said Perez. "So that's why I believe it's a personal choice."
