The Evolution Of Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Motorcycles have been a fixture in American culture since the end of World War II, when thousands of veterans who rode during wartime came home.

The second World War wasn’t the first time motorcycles had been used in war – in fact the U.S. military used motorcycles (Harley-Davidson’s to be specific) with sidecars during their hunt for Pancho Villa in 1916.

During World War I, half of Harley-Davidson’s bike output – approximately 20,000 – were sent oversees so commanders could quickly send messages via motorcycles.1

But it wasn’t until WWII when bikes became a huge part of the war effort. Harley-Davidson produced 70,000 WLAs, a military version of the popular civilian WL, overseas for use in both World War II and the Korean war… read more >