This week is Bike Week in New Hampshire. It amazes me as I drive home how many helmet-less motorcyclists there are around here, zooming along at 70+ mph. As you may know, there is no helmet-law here.

Consider the following from the BMJ:

Deaths on motorcycles have increased 54% since 1997. As soon as helmet laws are reversed or weakened in a state, injuries and fatalities go up. Per mile traveled, the number of deaths on motorcycles is more than 25 times greater than that in cars. Much of this difference is due to the unique vulnerability of motorcycle riders, especially when they are not wearing helmets, but some of it is because of motorcyclists’ lack of visibility to other drivers.

Live free or die indeed.