(Sioux City, Iowa via KCAU) – Iowa Dept. of Transportation data show nearly 80% of Iowa motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing a helmet. As thousands of bikers head to Sturgis, South Dakota for a motorcycle rally that runs through August 13th, the Iowa State Patrol urges safe driving.

Seventy-eight percent of motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing a helmet, a 3% increase from 2021, and a 10% increase from 2020.  The number of fatalities, 49, was down from 2021, when 68 motorcyclists died. Despite Iowa’s lack of a motorcycle helmet law, Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla said the Iowa State Patrol always recommends safety.

Thirty-two bikers have been killed on Iowa roads so far in 2023, putting Iowa on track to see more motorcycle fatalities than in 2022. There were no laws introduced in the most recent legislative session to require riders to protect themself with a helmet. Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire are the three states with no motorcycle helmet laws. Other states require helmets for riders age 17 or younger, or for all riders.  In 2022, 45% of motorcyclists were impaired, a 2% decrease from 2021 and 6% decrease from 2020.

83rd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, 2023 (Sturgis.com)