It’s ironic that the next later thread than this one is about Ann Coulter relating a death due to Obamacare. If identifiable deaths indicate the need for a change in law, than Obamacare should go. On the other hand, if Obamacare shouldn’t go, because somehow those deaths don’t count, then there shouldn’t be a helmet law. But, perhaps the real difference is that deaths due to person freedom count, and demand increased government power, while deaths due to diminished freedom do *not* count, and do *not* demand decreased government power.
My personal risk/safety decisions are NOT the business of government! My use or lack of a helmet does NOTHING to endanger the welfare or rights of others, thus government rules are not required (nor welcome). As we allow more of this nanny-state garbage to continue, they will start telling us how to eat, where to travel, and when to work. The effeminization of America continues to lead it down the path of security-over-liberty... leading to less of both in all cases.
If knuckleheads are so reckless as to ignore basic safety, that is their choice.
Keep the FL law as is.
I always ride with a helmet. Seems every other time I ride, something bounces off it, usually a rock. It’s really easy to imagine losing control from a painful enough hit or even a bug in the eye. That being said, it is a drag to wear one when the temp is above 80. Still, safety and control are non negotiable to me.
That being said...I have no problem with states that don't have helmet laws *****if***** those states stipulate that not a *penny* of government $$$ will be spent for the care of those who wind up on a respirator for 10 years because they weren't wearing a helmet.Also,the law would have to stipulate that no private insurance company would be required to cover a penny for such care and no hospital would be required to treat such a person once "brain death" is established.
The number of busy body, nanny staters is on the rise in this country. Now that the majority of people in this country no longer have to work for a living thanks to ObamaCare, they spend all of their free time sticking their big noses in everybody else’s business.
IF cyclists want to drive around without helmets, let em. I just hope they don’t expect that the rest of us pick up their enormous medical tabs trying to save them. I think if no helmet, and you cave your head in, we don’t do extraordinary steps to save your life. It obviously wasn’t important enough to the cyclist to use a safety device. Why we all have to spend hundreds of thousands on a person who wouldn’t even put on a $100 helmet as a preventative measure, is beyond me.
They didn’t value their life. Why must all the rest pay for a life they didn’t care enough about?
The cyclists around me drive like maniacs going faster than the flow, weaving in and out of lanes like they’re some piece of hot sh1t. and they don’t care if the cars behind them have to break b/c of it. many don’t give two craps about what they are doing to others on the road b/c they believe they’re always right and if there’s an accident they’re always right on a bike.
I used to live in Tampa back in the late 80’s early 90’s, before they changed the law. It was funny to see the “Bikers” riding their hogs with German Kaiser helmets.
Oh yea, that’s safe.
Sure I know a lot of them are into the whole Nazi thing. But still, they met the letter of the law by wearing a steel helmet from 100 years ago with a metal spike sticking out the top.
I ride. Have since 1980. 99% of the time I wear a helmet, a very nice and expensive Simpson. But there’s that 1% of the time where I like the freedom to go without. My head, my life, my choice. I know the risks, and I don’t get crazy when I’m sans helmet. It’s usually a cool down cruise after finishing up yard work, or a lazy ride through the hood on a pleasant afternoon or evening.
If you want to wear a helmet in Florida you may. No one is stopping you. You will not be stopped and ticketed for wearing a helmet. Now, what’s the b!tch?
So to keep everyone safe, then also mandatory helmets for all athletes, mandatory knee and shoulder pads for all ballet dancers, etc. etc.
After all, if I can not make my own decisions regarding my own personal safety, then neither can they.
Good thing men like Orville and Wilbur Wright didn’t take chances with their personal safety to do something they loved.
Living in Florida I find it strange I can get a seatbeat violation for not bhckling up, but can ride a bike without a helmet....
Spilt the baby....must wear a helmet until you have ridden for two years or more...
“Seasoned riders don’t take as many risks,” he said. “But the reflexes go, the eyesight goes.”
I actually agree with this, because I’m one of these guys. My first vehicle was a motorcycle, I’ve had maybe 5 to 8 of them throughout my life. But i sold my last one about 24 years ago and had not ridden since. Until last year when I bought the bike I’ve always wanted, a BMW R1200RT. I’m the proud owner of a shiny new motorcycle and a shiny new Medicare card, so you see where I stand. My skills are certainly not what they used to be but they are improving daily. The biggest difference is the younger me rode without any safety equipment at all. The older me doesn’t get on the bike without full gear, armored pants and armored HiViz jacket, boots, gloves, and a superb full face helmet. it’s called ATGATT - all the gear all the time. Oh yeah, and a MCSF rider course. I know its a risk, but I have almost 6000 hours in Navy aircraft of various types and this ain’t nothing compared to that! and its almost as fun. In other words, understand that risk and mitigate it to the best of you ability. and leave riders alone to do what they want. OFF SOAPBOX.
I ride. I wear a helmet. It’s as natural as putting on a seatbelt for me.
I think you are crazy if you don’t wear a helmet.
But, it’s not my call. Nor is it a public safety issue. If you want to ride naked...go for it.
The missed point is that riders unfamiliar with a new or borrowed motorcycle are significantly more likely to be involved in an accident than riders who have been riding the same bike for over 6 months. New riders are also at greater risk. Those new registrations were likely all in the group most likely to be involved in accidents.
The other question is one of how many more attended Daytona Bike Week because the laws were relaxed, and how much of an effect that had.
Daytona, for those who do not know, it the East Coast equivalent of Sturgis.
WHY do motorcyclist crash?
How do we stop that?
This is no game and you need to hear how we are crashed and killed new, like the first time.
Let’s fix that and see what the numbers are.
The failure of (STUPID cage drivers) motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents.
Is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. Let’s not put the cart before the horse.
The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision. oops.
The most frequent accident configuration is the motorcycle proceeding straight then the automobile makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle. oops.
Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle accident, with the other vehicle violating the motorcycle right-of-way, and often violating traffic controls.
When car drivers do the above, only taking 1 second, HELMET or not y’all tear us to pieces and kills us and get off scot free.
If we started getting you car drivers locked up for attempted murder for killing motorcycle riders we could make y’all pay better attention on the road. That would cut the kill ratio down a lot to.
Using 1000’s of pounds of metal cars as a weapon.
You know what the last words of the news cast always is???
The report said the motorcycle ride was not wearing a helmet, even if a tractor trailer ran over us......twice.
I swear if I ever get hit a third time and am able to get my hands on the driver at the scene I will do a little house cleaning of my own. I only missed getting to the second guy by a mere few feet before I was stopped. His lucky day.
MC riding nearly 50 years.
2 MC total loss by bad car drivers. Insurance paid
1 was fined 25 dollar fine didn’t hear why just 25.00,
1 for 35 dollars for speeding to fast for conditions but I totaled his dam car out.
2 best MC friends killed by bad car drivers their fault.
It wasn’t the not wearing a helmet that killed them. It was being torn apart or rib cage crushed.
Nothing touch the head.
When a ton car rides over you with your 900 pound motorcycle still firmly attached, you die, helmet or not.
my 2 cents