Triumphrat

SMcD

I live in a helmet law state, but if the helmet law were repealed, as I think it should be, I wouldn't wear one. (By the way, the helmet I wear is a plastic joke)

Frankly, I can't see why anyone would care. By not wearing a helmet, I'm endangering no one but myself. Activities like skydiving, football, boxing, etc. are dangerous, yet no one wants to outlaw sports.

I've heard all the arguments. They all revolve around "It costs the public money. This kind of insincere logic doesn't hold water.


"If you are injured, 'we' end up paying your hospital bills"


Hundreds of people are hospitalized every day through their own personal recklessness:

- Alcohol abuse kills 76,000 Americans every year. Why not crusade for banning booze?

- 47,000 Americans die every year in automobile accidents. Why not pass laws requiring all cars to have speed limiters installed so that no car can exceed 60mph?

- Obesity kills 110,000 Americans every year. And as for those fatsos who don't die, the financial toll obesity takes on the US health care system is incalculable. Why not make it illegal to be fat?

The list goes on and on. To people who use this tack, I say "Thanks. Mind your own business".


Roughly 2,000 US motorcyclists not wearing helmets are killed every year. That's a pretty insignificant number compared to deaths caused by other forms of reckless behavior. Why single out bikers for oppressive legislation?



In a country where individual freedom is cherished, I have no idea why motorcyclists would favor limits on their own liberty. If you want to wear a helmet, that's fine. Why would you want to force me to wear one?

harleyxlc

Wait...after I think you are are a doof for claiming to have seen the vast majority of harley riders...**** it, I agree with you!

Except that I personally would still wear a helmet...

Wombat

Could it be that legislators think that people that dont wear helmets are too stupid to protect themselves and need saving from their own stupidity?

__________________
Bob

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Age is of no importance, unless you are a cheese.

SMcD

Using that logic, those same benevolent legislators should make it illegal for people to be fat.

Make it illegal to be fat, make all contact sports illegal, limit top speed and horsepower of all automobiles, and ban all alcohol, and then I'll get behind helmet laws.

I don't think I said anything about Harley riders, but I'm glad you agree with me.

trypcil

They don't care if you fall off and die(whoever they maybe) but they do want to sell you riding gear etc... go ahead ride naked for all I care. If there is no one that cares for you it's a good way to go. Death by road rash and brain damage, sounds like fun for any dimwit looking for an argument and an axe to grind. Wearing a helmet - sounds like a sound idea to me, screw the romance of the wind in yer hair etc... it's all about getting home really! If you value your brain, assuming there is one of worth to value - wear a helmet, if you just want to be free - don't.

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The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with
the falling of the dusk.” - G.W.F. Hegel, Philosophy of Right (1820), "Preface".

Beemie

They might be onto something.

miker

"If you are injured, 'we' end up paying your hospital bills"
Depends on whether you're on public health, or pay ALL your own hospital and repatriation expenses, plus can be certain your family is fed and housed without asking for hand outs from the government.

Hundreds of people are hospitalized every day through their own personal recklessness:
Agreed, and the recklessness of others.
Q.- Alcohol abuse kills 76,000 Americans every year. Why not crusade for banning booze?
A. Because selling booze makes tax dollars, and outlawing booze would prevent politicians from getting into office. Most politicians drink.
Q- 47,000 Americans die every year in automobile accidents. Why not pass laws requiring all cars to have speed limiters installed so that no car can exceed 60mph?
A. Because selling cars and lots of petrol makes tax dollars, and outlawing powerful cars and bikes would prevent politicians from getting into office. Most politicians are in the pockets of the car manufacturers, most politicians drive, not many ride.

Q- Obesity kills 110,000 Americans every year. And as for those fatsos who don't die, the financial toll obesity takes on the US health care system is incalculable. Why not make it illegal to be fat?
What is the difference between the financial toll of obesity and the financial toll of helmetless riders (Per Capita)? Outlawing fat people and the food they eat would diminish tax revenue and prevent politicians from getting into office. I agree though, making it illegal to be fat would be interesting!

Roughly 2,000 US motorcyclists not wearing helmets are killed every year. That's a pretty insignificant number compared to deaths caused by other forms of reckless behavior. Why single out bikers for oppressive legislation?
The insignificance is the problem. We are seen as a minority, pain in the asss, who reek havoc on the roads, but don't provide enough tax dollars, or VOTES to make a difference. By initiating helmet laws the politicians are SEEN to be doing something, but in reality are paying lip service by putting a band aid on the problem. Teach people to respect the road, and other users and there's no longer a problem, and no need for helmets. If they're killed, they leave behind families who now need to be supported. If they're injured, they can't provide for their families until they recover or perhaps never again.

In a country where individual freedom is cherished, I have no idea why motorcyclists would favor limits on their own liberty. If you want to wear a helmet, that's fine. Why would you want to force me to wear one?
I don't want to force you to wear one. Do what you like, it's your choice, but is it your family's choice? Can you safely say "I will never crash and need head protection?" Would you play American football without a helmet and body armour? Would you play baseball without a box protector or shin guards? Would you refuse a seat belt in an aeroplane?

My point is, that it's got nothing to do with whether you choose a helmet or not, it's more to do with what's seen to be making tax dollars and politicians "look" like they're doing something about a problem they have been told is serious. Fact is though, helmets do save lives in the majority of cases and if we all took responsibility for our own actions, it would mean that no one would have to worry, we wouldn't need seat belts, helmets, airbags, crumple zones, speed cameras or any other kind of protective equipment. But, you already know it ain't gonna happen because there are too many of us who refuse to obey the letter of the law, or even common sense and take responsibility for ourselves or at least those we care about.

Sorry for the rant

Mick

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"We may not be able to change the direction or strength of the wind, but we can always trim our sails"

Tbirdnz

It's difficult to prevent stupidity, helmet laws, seat-belt laws, guard rails to prevent jay-walking and allowing only one wife at a time are an effort to reduce it.


Maybe these laws are an attempt to defeat the natural selection process of eliminating poor genes, in general these laws don't succeed. These types of genes find ways of overcoming these laws.


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Ride on !

utrnorton

I have to agree; helmet laws suck. The politicians tell me it's for our own good-it costs too much in taxes to take care of vegetables and/or their families. These are the same people who use my taxes to vote themselves raises, benefits, perks, expense accounts fact-finding vacations and $1000 hookers when ever they want.
Now, I used to ride without a helmet, or any other protection for a number of years, luckily without incident, but I wouldn't ride around the block without one now. I'm no longer immortal and invincible, and you end up with more than just the wind in your hair, once you get it unsnarled. (I had longer hair then, too...) However, I resent people telling me I have to wear one, or I have to wear a seat belt (which I always do now, too...) or I can't smoke here or there (if I still smoked...) or that girl is too young for...well you get the picture.
If you don't wanna wear a hat, that's your choice; If I think it's stupid, well, it's none of my business.

saphena

I don't believe that you would!

I think that you personally don't like wearing a helmet or possibly you don't like being told what to do and consequently you will always find some excuse to disagree.

In a democracy, even the US, the legislature makes the rules for everyone and everyone consents to obey them.

"In a country where individual freedom is cherished, I have no idea why motorcyclists would favor limits on their own liberty. If you want to ride on the right side of the road and stop at stop signs, that's fine. Why would you want to force me to?"

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Bob - Ringer, Iron Butt, not dead yet
Switch to reserve ~120 miles, fuel panic ~150

"Just because you're offended doesn't make you right" Ricky Gervais