ducatichick

I think helmets should be personal choice. Riders should wear them, but ultimately it should be the rider's choice.

I've lived in 2 states that don't have helmet laws (NH, SC). I rode w/o a helmet quite a bit before I raced and trashed a few helmets - now I always wear a helmet and full gear all the time.

It didn't seem like NH and SC had more fatal accidents than other states, except perhaps when you consider the huge bike week events they both have. The NH event draws ~300,000 bikers, probably because there is no helmet law. People drink and tear around on bikes and, with or without helmets, several fatalities occur every year. Seemed like it was at least 2 fatalities every year at NH bike week.

Just googled and found an article about the 2006 NH bike week being one of the deadliest in 6 years - 10 fatalities, 5 of those were wearing helmets. Most of the accidents were head-on collisions which "wouldn't help much in head-on collisions at high speeds". Here's the full article:
http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dl...1028/OPINION02

SC is started a helmet law in Myrtle Beach only, where bike week is - apparently attendance to the event is down, which is what the locals were hoping for. Here's the story:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=113535878
Note the bar in the background: SBB. That stands for Suck Bang Blow which is a strip club popular with bikers. I guess the locals finally got the sign changed to SBB!

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96SN95GT

It should be mandatory for 17 year olds and 17 year olds should be allowed to choose?

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TonyMastodon

I say yes,

Stupid people need guidance.

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Cesario

...but a simple answer........

NO.

Riders choice....as long as the government doesn't tax me for these injuries.....if they do, then we have different argument.

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blueline15

i voted yes, but that is because i would always wear a helmet no matter what . . .so helmet laws do not effect me for say. . .(i know that is selfish)

my question for anybody that has lived in a state that does not require helmets. if you wanted to always wear a helmet, do you get a lot of shit from other riders who do not wear one....anybody try to pressure you into being "free" and not wearing helmets?

im curious . . .

PS i saw a guy in washington riding his motorcycle with a bicycle helmet on

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evander

Happens all the time.

Ever bitch at a fatty grubbing a super sized meal from Mickey D's?

The leading tax on Americas health care system is directly related to obesity. If peoples argument for helmet laws is the cost to our health care system, lets not jump over a dollar to save a dime. Lets get a Tubby Tax on all unhealthy foods.

Sure after "riders on life support after crashing their motorcycles while not wearing a helmet" moves up the cost ladder in our health care system, instigate a manditory helmet law. Until then let stupid do what stupid wants to do.

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blueline15

yes, and

this is a great idea. i get really pissed when i see someone who is really fat and they are at the grocery store buying potato chips, soda pop, soda pop, and more soda pop, ice cream, frozen fried chicken, frozen corndogs, doughnuts, candy, oreos, boxes of macaroni

and then they pull out their food stamp card.....stupid fucking people


anyway, back on topic

i see both sides of this issue. i am strongly pro helmet, but i guess in all reality we shouldnt be told by the government if we have to or not . . . evander brought up a good point that there are other issues that are costing us money that need to be addressed first before mandatory helmets.

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twhite6868

Like I said in my previous post.

Do whatever you want, helmet, no helmet, it's your choice and on one can say shit about it. But keep in mind blunt force trauma to the ol' melon makes it go POP.

So for the squidly didlies out there that ride like they'll live forever, check the facts, no one lives forever.

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[Insert user name here]

I'd say yes, wind in the eyes making them water doesn't sound very fun and I have no cool sunglasses =/

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Bravura

Yes, because the general public is stupid, a burden on society and insurance rates are high enough as it is.

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Desvio

NO

Although I am and always be pro-ATGATT, the choice should be up to the public. To what degree is the government going to protect us from ourselves? Already I can drink my liver into oblivian, smoke my lungs to a crisp, and eat greasy food till my heart stops and there isn't a single law to prevent me from doing all that. Doing all three would clearly be suicide, and yet there isn't a single governing body that can stop me from killing myself that way!

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king_ogre

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Luckyadam12

So you choose to ride without a helmet. Great,.. fantastic. I'm not saying your a dumbass, you just make a bad decision IMO. If you are one of the guys that says, 'I don't wear a helmet because I don't have to,' you sir, are an idiot. If you are intellegent enough to make your own choices, fine; make your choice. Most accidents happen within 10 miles from home... So your little trips to the store... just saying.
It is your choice (law permitting).
Full leathers???
Yes I own them, and depending on the type of riding I'm doing, I'll wear them (that doesn't mean street riding).
~It only takes a second to get a helmet on.~
I lived in Florida when they lifted the helmet law.
90% (those are my numbers so don't get your panties in a bunch) of riders stopped wearing helmets. Obviously those aren't real numbers, but you would hardly ever see people wearing helmets once they did that.
Are you smart enough to make the right decisions? Sure, maybe...
but will you?

I'm not trying to argue, seriously. I feel everyone should wear helmets. We as a nation are becoming more and more safe, because we are moving in the right direction. Lifting helmet laws is a bad call from a safety standpoint.

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ZXMAN

First 5 years or 50,000 miles which ever comes first... That way we can spot the "noobs"

And BTW, socialized medicine will take care of those pesky medical bills.

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eseeray26

I voted no because government should not have the right to tell us how to live we are in a place in our country right now because people have not been required to live with the choices that they made I say the more we make people responsible for themselves the more people act responsibly

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Flaerion

I say yes, but... I'd honestly make it a night time requirement only. A mandated fighting chance in the dead of night could prevent someone from being widowed because their other half is a jackass on their bike. (Fuck em if their single I guess)

During the day... meh, whatever, someone will get the dust pan and sweep up your brains.. But if they live through one crash and don't get it that they should wear a helmet.. Let Darwin take care of it.

For what its worth, law or no law, I like my bucket.

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XcaptainXbloodX

one burger, one smoke, one drink, wont kill you.

one wreck can. thats the difference.

people talk about a calculated risk. thats bullshit. just going a mile to the store? only going 25? cool, how about you fall on your head from a height of what? 5'? (thats the height you ride at right?) or better yet, let me hit you in the head with a slab of concrete. dont worry, ill only swing it at 25mph so its safe.

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vville123

Didnt wear one in FL or TX except on the freeway.

No.

But I would wear one now...maybe older smarter....

How can it make insurance go up if your going to die???

Been the first on the scene at three MC wrecks, all where wearing a lid, all died.

It helps...thats it.... helps....dont think it's going to save your ass every time.

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JayD1981

Since I highly doubt you wear a one piece leather riding suit every time you ride, can I come take a sander to your skin? Get off your fucking high horse.

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Luckyadam12

Think of it this way...
Insurance runs off of standard numbers, right?
If you start to get a rise of accidents with a specific type of vehical
rates are raised to a 'standard' to meet that, right?

Same the other way
if the numbers decline, rates should be lowered too, right?
But the insurance companies are smart enough not to.
It's more money in their pockets.

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vville123

I'm not seeing it.

If you have a higher rate of "accidents with a specific type of vehical" and they live, the insurance co. has to pay for the bike, health, ect.

If they die your loss is almost zero.

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cyndypr

Yes, because as someone posted earlier, the general public doesn't always make the best decisions. It's been proven that seatbelts in cars help save lives, yet people (in general) didn't use them until it became law. Not that wearing a helmet will automatically save your life, but it improves your odds.

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Luckyadam12

^^^
Well stated.

??? Yup, gonna have to get back to you on that, lol.

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vville123

Thats smart....lets have Big Brother make all our decisions....They do such a great job.....

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Silver788

I think helmets are important but inevitably the responsibility of the rider. Over legislation is just a tool for the state offices to generate income. Do we really need more reasons for police to be able to pull us over and force us through the system by taking our hard earned money?

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evander

Motorcycles are dangerous the government should ban them all.

Hell they already needed to stop kids from licking lead batteries so they banned all bikes under 100cc's why not save lives and ban all the fucking things?

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mfrankpdx

I don't know.

They should just make motorcycling illegal so I don't have to decide whether helmets should be mandatory or not.

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cyndypr

A helmet law does not equate to "big brother making all of our decisions." Slight over-reaction, don't you think?

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vville123

Give them an inch they take a mile.

It's a slippery slope, so no it's not a over reaction.

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Baldy

Voted no simply because I'm not a fan of big government. I think we need to get Myth Busters to test in what scenarios helmets are most effective. .
Honestly I think it should be up to the rider, but there needs to be a system in place to make sure they can make an informed decision.

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vville123

on Myth Busters, but they have to try/blow/crush a few brands up.

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Old Dane

Well said!

I voted no! I would never ride anywhere myself without a helmet, but that is because I choose to do so.

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Armand

yea... tell me this again after you're in an accident and hurt all over, but the doctor has to see the guy that only has a headache, all because that guy paid the doctor some good $$$ to be seen, while you didnt pay him anything, therefore he'll help you when he gets around to it.

I lived in europe and got to see their medical system first hand. if you want it that bad, go live there. I like the medical system here and dont much care to see it changed since doctors actually take care of people here.

I'm amazed no one complains about people with 6+ kids getting free houses and all expenses paid out of your tax dollars.

ok... I'm done ranting... at least for the next 10 minutes lol

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west1134

I voted NO.

I dont think there should be a law telling people what they can and cannot do with their lives when it doesnt necessarily affect other people (lets not get into the "well if you get injured or die your affecting your family/friends and/or tax payers because of your choice" argument.) In the end the decision to not wear a helmet almost always only affects you.

Motorcycling is dangerous...I personally have always worn a helmet on my sportbike and dont feel comfortable not wearing one. However, I just (last night) returned from a week in Hawaii where a buddy and I rented Harleys and rode the island. There is not helmet law there, and after the first part of the first day I ended up not wearing mine for the remainder of the trip, and can now totally understand why people make the choice not to wear one. Yes it was a huge risk on my part, Yes I would've probably died had something happened, but it was my decision and it was an amazing feeling to be cruising around with the warm 86 degree tropical wind blowing through my hair. Anyways personal choice is my vote, vs. laws.

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csdmmnt

Common sense isn't as common as one would hope. I say yes ...

... half the human population (probably more) is below average intelligence and need laws to guide them through their meager life.

Society says how things should be, laws help enforce that view. It's obvious, common sense, not to shoot that guy on the freeway driving like an idiot, remove the law that keeps us from doing that and there will be a lot of dead drivers.

Helmet laws don't appear, statistically, to be saving any more lives than prior to the helmet laws. I've not looked at the numbers closely myself so don't know if they're doing any adjustment for increasing population of riders, riders with helmets, riders without helmets, etc. But it seems to me ones chances to survive increase with the helmet.

Then there's the; no law no lid less cost to the tax payer. Why? Because the guy with the lid that crashed didn't die like he would have. Now he's a vegetable living off of massive support system costing the tax payer more, after long costly surgeries.

Seems right to have a helmet law for those who just aren't as quick ...

... and this kind of thing can go on and on for either side and unfortunately bureaucracy will never let us know what the reality of the situation is :(

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1 RED-RR

Careful what you ask for..."hope and change" is on the way

Big brother is already too big

I like New Hampshire's take on things:

Live Free or Die

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varment

I saw a woman at McDonalds who had a belly flap clear down to her knees with two value meals to herself.... she should be mandated to wear a hannibal lecter mask....

Not true.... One burger can kill you, or have you not read the news about the tainted meat?

but the thing is that nobody crashes every time they go out, just as other people have a smoke, drink, burger and get home just fine.... but with all of these behaviors, eventually they will die from their decision unless old age intervenes.

I voted no btw, I would never ride without my lid but I don't feel I need a law on the books to tell me that..... Darwin's theory FTW!!!

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varment

ok, this is almost funny.... approximately half of the population needs to be below average intelligence, leaving the other half above average intelligence...

Average intelligence is a fluid concept affected by the collective intelligence of the subject group. No matter what kind of data you gather, you will nearly always have half above and half below average....

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vville123

We need population control anyway.

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StageRulz

.000.000 I couldn't have said that any better.

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