PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
3/26/26

ACTION NEEDED ----HEARING ALERT:

The mandatory helmet bill is scheduled for
Tuesday March 31 @ 3pm
Senate Bill # 2286; "Helmet Bill"
This bill proposes to require ALL motorcycle operators to wear a helmet regardless of age or experience,

March 31, 2026; Senate Judiciary Committee; Rm # 313 @ 3:00 PM
Attendance is encouraged but if you cannot be there then send
Written Testimony To:

Adriana Carlucci, Clerk
SenateJudiciary@rilegislature.gov

Email Testimony MUST Include:

Your Name/Organization,
Bill Number ( S2286) and
Viewpoint: (AGAINST)
If you wish to attend in person: no later than 2:45pm in Room 313
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If you have ANY questions, direct them to
Cam Bigelow
RIMA Secretary; LMC RI
(401) 742 2560

Now that the Legislative session is in full display for everyone to see each month RIMA will be on top of legislation that will effect all riders here
in Rhode Island. We will post to our website and Facebook page updates of Legislation that we all need to know about and what to do and when to do it.
The Helmet Bill has been heard in the House already this year. Rima testified for freedom of choice not to make helmets mandatory for everyone.

With every ones help from now until the end of session which is at the end of June. All hands on deck will be needed to keep our Freedoms in RI.
Without RIMA there would not be a unified voice for motorcycle riders at the State House. Thank you to all of our members past and present for your support. Together we make a difference for safety, education and legislation in R.I. We look forward to another 50 years of success. Our success depends on you JOIN or renew membership with RIMA TODAY help us help you.
Our next RIMA meeting will be on 4/21/2026 @ 7pm.
9 Lincoln Ave. Coventry RI..

Ride safe Ride Free.
Paul Bond
President/ RIMA

SENATE S - 2286 HELMET BILL HEARING UPDATE

The mandatory helmet bill was heard on
Tuesday March 31 @ 3pm
Senate Bill # 2286; "Helmet Bill"
This bill proposes to require ALL motorcycle operators to wear a helmet regardless of age or experience,

After hearing testimony both for and against a mandatory helmet requirement for all motorcycle operators, the proposal was held for further study.
This is the best possible outcome, and given the same result when the House Bill H -7382 was heard it is not likely to come up again this legislative session.
RIMA President Paul Bond "nailed" his testimony, as did Representative Dave Bennett in voicing their opposition to this bill.
Also, a thank you to Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone III, Senator Andrew Dimitri, Senator Hanna Gallo, and Representative Arthur "Doc" Corvese.

A special thank you to Governor Dan Mckee, Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, and Senate President Val Lawson for encouraging our participation in the legislative process.

We are profoundly grateful to all the RIMA members and supporters that took the time to submit email testimony or showed up and signed in against this bill. Great Job!!!
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My wife Anita and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! to all of the RIMA Board Members and RIMA Members in attendance at last night's Meeting.

Your kindness and generosity are most deeply appreciated!
Sincerely,
Cam + Anita Bigelow