NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to allow motorcyclists to ride Tennessee roads without safety helmets has been defeated in a Senate committee.

The Finance Committee on Tuesday voted 6-5 against the bill sponsored by Sen. Kerry Roberts. The Springfield Republican argued that ending the helmet law for insured riders who are at least 21 years old would be a boon to tourism in the state.

Opponents argued that police would have no way of knowing which riders held proper medical coverage, and that state hospitals would be left to cover the cost of treating the brain injuries of uninsured motorcyclists.