Motorcycles make up less than 2% of all registered vehicles and only 0.4% of all vehicle miles traveled, but motorcyclists account for almost 9% of total traffic fatalities. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, 2003)

Fatalities among motorcycle riders have increased by more than 73% since 1997. (NHTSA, 2004)

In 2003, almost 75% of fatally injured motorcycle riders were not wearing a helmet in states without all-rider helmet laws, compared with only 15% in states with all-rider helmet laws.

Per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are about 21 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash and four times as likely to be injured. (NHTSA, 2001)

In 2003, 36 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding, approximately twice the rate for drivers of passenger cars or light trucks. The percentage of alcohol involvement was 40 percent higher for motorcyclists than for drivers of passenger vehicles. (NHTSA, 2003)

Motorcyclist fatalities are rising fastest among motorcycle riders over age 40. In 2003 alone, fatalities increased by 16%. (NHTSA, 2003)

Helmets reduce the risk of death by 29% and are 67% effective in preventing brain injuries to motorcycle riders. (NHTSA, 2001)

Motorcycle Helmet Law Facts

Surveys have shown that helmet use is essentially 100% in places with all-rider motorcycle helmet laws compared to 34 to 54% at locations with no helmet laws or with age-specific helmet laws. All-rider laws significantly increase helmet use because they are easy to enforce due to the rider's high visibility. (NHTSA, 2000)

NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,158 motorcyclists in 2003. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 640 lives could have been saved.

The average hospital charge for motorcyclists with serious head injuries was found to be almost three times that of motorcyclists with mild or no head injuries, $43,214 v. $15,528. (Orsay, et al., 1994)

In 1997, Arkansas and Texas repealed all-rider helmet laws. As of May 1998, helmet use fell from 97% in both states to 52% in Arkansas and 66% in Texas. Motorcycle operator fatalities increased by 21% in Arkansas and 31% in Texas. (NHTSA, 2000)

In 1992, the first year of California's all-rider motorcycle helmet law, 327 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes, compared to 512 in 1991 - a 36% reduction in fatalities in one year. Additionally, the number of hospitalized brain-injured motorcyclists fell by over 50%, from 1,258 in 1991 to 588 in 1992. (California Highway Patrol, 1999, Trauma Foundation, 2002)

After passage of Maryland's all-rider motorcycle helmet law in 1992, motorcyclist deaths dropped dramatically - 20% in 1993 and 30% from 1993-1994. (Maryland Department of Transportation)

In Oregon, there was a 33% reduction in motorcycle fatalities the year after the helmet law was re-enacted. Nebraska experienced a 32% reduction in fatalities the first year of its law. Texas experienced a 23% reduction in fatalities; Washington, a 15% reduction; California, a 37% reduction; and, Maryland, a 20% reduction. (NHTSA, 2001)

By an overwhelming majority (80%), Americans favor state laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets. (Lou Harris, for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, 2004)

An estimated $13.2 billion was saved from 1984 through 1999 because of motorcycle helmet use. An additional $11.1 billion could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets. (NHTSA, 2000)

Analysis of linked data from the Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) in three states with all-rider helmet laws showed that without the law, the total extra patient charges due to brain injury would have been almost doubled from $2.3 million to $4 million.

The History of Novelty Helmets

Novelty Helmets

Novelty Helmets have been around for ages. Rumor has it they were first built in Daytona Beach by "Shotgun", a local biker and fiberglass craftsman. Soon after a few other hard working types started to build them in their garages and sell them in bars, rallies, flea markets & swap meets. Back in the day you could pick up an American Made Novelty Helmet from one of these guys in the Daytona area for 40 bucks or so if memory serves.

Novelty Eagle

Novelty Jockey

Anywho... the first style ever built was the Novelty Eagle pictured left. Very popular for a long time and is still the best selling novelty helmet on the market followed closley by the Jockey or Polo pictured right. But soon the fickle biker longed for a more expressive form of the Skid Lid and the local manufacturers being the inovators they were soon came up will all kinds of new designs, colors, spikes, chrome, airbrushed, horse tails and even elk or water buffalo horned novelty helmets.

Big German

Little German

So, out of demand the novelty helmet manufactures of which there were three or four buy this time came up some new designs & sytles. The Big German style proved incredibley popular as did its' little brother the Little German. It wans't uncommon to see couples with matching hats like the Big & Little Germans.  there's still somthing wierd about that but I can't quite put my finger on it yet...

Smokey

Mongo Novelty Helmet

Other styles followed quickly and became popular as well, the Smokey is still popular with the big heads. However if you need a bowling ball bag for a hat, and you know who you are, the Mongo is the way to go as it's usually available in XXXL and bigger.

Kaiser Novelty Helmet

Like spikes? Then novelties just might be for you! These guys have been putting spikes on everthing you can imagine for as long as you can imagine. Sometimes I think they do it just because they like to drill holes in stuff, it could be just that simple. But thank zeus for that eh? Cause this gave us the.... TA DA! Kaiser!

Duck Tail Novelty Helmet

Now here's a style that I love, the Duck Tail. But good luck finding it anymore. I thing the only two guys that were making these shells went out of business (saddenz!) It started out an Eagle then the sides were ground down to come up over the ear giving it a unique look. Small and light! Just what a novelty helmet should be.

EZ-Rider Novelty Helmet

OK, so you're old school, well then how about the EZ-Rider. The orginal beanie barely covers your head and looks... well... old school. I always liked this hat. But, if you go this way DO NOT get one with a visor. They look like crap! While we're on the subject, a few of these style are available with visor snaps that will accomodate a standard 3-snap bubble visor or flat visor or face shield. IMHO the Novelty Eagle & Smokey look great with a bubble visor on them. I would stay aray from the full face shields however as you will look like you belong on a moped instead of a cruiser! That would be bad...