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Michigan Repeals Helmet Law

11K views 109 replies 50 participants last post by  redbike72 
#1 ·
#6 ·
(Unkind, but all too true)

Pete
..........that's also what non-riders say about riders.

I wonder how you'd feel if someone you cared for died helmetless on a bike.
Would they still be a moron, whose departure would be a net gain for humanity?
Would their family be consoled knowing that they sacrificed themselves for the betterment of mankind?
Are the thousands of otherwise succesful people who have children and businesses who's only fault is succumbing to "lifestyle" motorcycling a drag upon civilzation, whose death is in the least inconsequential?

Or is it the people who can only see a complex issue involving personal freedoms in the most simplistic of terms the ones worthy of our collective disregard?
 
#3 ·
I like how sloppy that news station is: Michigan Repeals Helmet Ban. Who's the lame editor? :confused:

They now have a choice, good for them on a basic level. As long as that freedom of choice doesn't have any negative impact on me, I could care less what anyone else does.
 
#4 ·
was really nice when I went to the grand canyon and other nearby national parks to not have to wear a helmet between tourism stops. often I wasn't travelling faster than I would have been on my mountain bike. I did get a nice sunburn though. any main roads though I put the helmet on. choice was nice.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Good for them!
Is there anyone here that dumb they would ride without a helmet?
Yes, I've done it plenty of times.

My father has openly stated that he'll never wear a helmet again now that he is retired and doesn't have to travel to Mass anymore.
often I wasn't travelling faster than I would have been on my mountain bike.
Are you implying your ride a bicycle WITHOUT a helmet. That's dangerous, don'tcha know.
 
#9 ·
I always wear a helmet and still would if I were riding in a no helmet law state. If someone else chooses not to, then thats their right to do so. However, I thilnk any state that repeals their motorcycle helmet laws should automatically repeal and SEATBELT laws as well. Only fair to cars drivers that want to go without a seatbelt.
 
#10 ·
As a Michigan resident I will continue to always wear my helmet as will my passenger.
Also it will provide a projectile to launch at the Norton when it doesn't want to start as was the case yesterday upon leaving my sister's house...........:furious:
 
#11 ·
Motorcycle Helmet Use and Head and Facial Injuries

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811208.pdf

Helmets are no guarantee that you won't become a vegetable, but I'll take the improved odds against it happening and wear the lid.
 
#15 ·
Living in a Nanny Nation I applaud Michigan for making a change based on state residents wishes. It would never happen here in Canada - the provincial and federal governments know whats best for us so 'shut up and carry on'!

I see in the article the insurance companies have already chimed in with their fear mongering about rising auto insurance rates for all drivers, not just motorcycles. Unfortunately they have the power to arbitrarily just do the increases now that they have 'named' a reason.

Good luck to you folks in Michigan and safe riding. Now its up to the population who ride to exercise their 'adult choice' wisely.
 
#16 ·
As a Michigan resident, you will NEVER see me without my helmet.
I ride a motorcycle. I accept the associated risks. I also accept responsibility to protect myself as best I can...ATGATT and good insurance.

Those that chose to not protect themselves, well that's ok. It's their choice. Just do not make me pay for their irresponsible actions!
 
#18 ·
Helmet Laws

Here in Australia, the wearing of helmets became compulsory some 25/30 years ago, against a campaign of 'Let those who ride decide.'
When I was young in the early '70s my girlfriend at that time had her brother killed when he dropped his bike in the street in which they lived. A simple spill but his head struck the concrete gutter. Such a simple accident and so much pain and anguish it caused. A tragedy so close will make you realize it could have been so easily avoided.
Western society as probably all societies, work so well when operating as a community. Working together. Sometimes some personal freedoms must be forgone in order that the community works successfully. In this country we have an excellent Medicare health system but the cost is huge but shared "equally" by the tax system. With the advent of compulsory wearing of helmets significant savings were made both in immediate and more importantly, ongoing care which is huge in both dollar and personnel terms. If helmet victims paid wholly for all of their care, well I suppose, let them ride the way they want but if the community thru either taxes or insurance premiums foot the bill well....wear your helmet.
I started riding long before the helmet laws were introduced and I did enjoy the feeling of air thru your hair (when I had a full head of hair) but only while in town as on the highway the helmet actually in a short time felt more comfortable.
If for no other reason remember, getting hurt.....HURTS!

Ride safe, somebody who loves you, wants you home tonight.

Saturn 5
 
#19 ·
I've got the helmet from the latest get off, last summer, hanging on the wall. There is a 4" crack in the back of the Scorpion 1000 helmet. The prior helmet was a Shoei 200, also sustained a crack in the shell.
Both of these crashes happened at about 55 mph. 1. on an on ramp to the freeway, got in the diesel and high sided. 2. back road highway, forced off the road by a cager and augured in the bar ditch.
Can happen to anyone. Y'all practice your freedom and wind in the hair, I'm still alive and riding because of an approved quality brain bucket.
Not to impugn your intelligence but if you ride without a helmet and you go dead, your family won't get any sympathy from me.
Yo' mama raised a dummy!
 
G
#20 ·
Why was this law changed?
Is this the result of intense and expensive lobbying?
As a general rule these regulations once on the books are as hard to move as the Andes.
What went on in the back rooms to make this happen?
Normally you only hear what the politicians want you to hear.
This has a smell of herring about it. I think they may use this apparent freedom to allow the insurance companies or health companies have certain freedoms with your bank accounts.
Nothing comes for free.
 
#22 ·
The TV news item said that the riders would be required to carry $20k additional medical insurance. If additional, how much is their total medical insurance?

Does the law provide that there will be NO taxpayer funds for their medical care or nursing home care after the $20k runs out? What if they don't quite die, run up a coupl'a hundred grand hospital charges, then spend years in diapers in a nursing home just drooling. Who pays? You and me, brother.
 
#23 ·
I would feel very uncomfortable riding without a helmet. In fact, I feel very uncomfortable even riding without gloves, which I only do when testing modifications I have made to my bike for a minute or two.

I look forward to the introduction of compulsory helmets for car drivers. Although car accidents would account for fewer head injuries than motorcycle accidents*, I am sure that there are still significant injuries incurred in car accidents that could have been avoided had the cars occupants all been wearing helmets. There is no legitimate reason for car occupants to not wear helmets, is there ? If we are so concerned for the safety of motorcyclists it would not be fair if we did not share the same concern for our fellow motorists on four wheels...

* actually, considering the vastly larger number of car accidents compared to motorcycle accidents, perhaps head injuries from car accidents are actually MORE common. I am talking about actual numbers, not percentages. If we are truly interested in reducing the number of injured motorists and passengers, shouldn't everyone be wearing helmets?

I'm not actually seriously suggesting this. However, forcing motorcyclists to wear helmets while letting car drivers go without seems to me to be a tad hypocritical. It makes sense if comparing head injuries PER accident within each mode of transport (motorcyclists are more likely to injure their heads), but surely our priority should be in reducing the actual number of head injuries?

I'm on my third bottle of wine and too drunk to tell if anything i have typed makes sense...
 
#24 ·
I will never fully understand why people defend a mandatory helmet law by pointing out how much safer they make motorcycling.

Condoms make sex safer too. Show of hands who thinks that should be required by law.

Two totally different issues.

Should people be required by law to wear helmets: No.
Should people wear helmets: Yes.
 
#25 ·
:thumbup::thumbup:good point!
I know there are people out there that were wearing helmets and now are vegise, take it as an offset more would die without helmets and some would vegies.:thumbdown:Give me a gun Oh Ya that is aginst the law too...
But give me the choice.
Personally ATGAT all the time.
 
#36 · (Edited)
Really? Look that the HD crowd in your own state. Tell me those salad bowls they wear on their head aren't a result of peer pressure? And those are adults working under the guise of a supposed helmet law.

Also why the hell isn't other protective gear required? Why does MA give a damn about requiring a 'helmet', but not care if the rider is in running shorts and flip flops? Do MA hospitals get a volume discount on skin grafts or something?

Makes no sense. Go fully nanny state, or don't. Make up your minds.
 
#28 ·
Ah hah. that explains it. I work on MSU campus, and i couldn't figure out why all the riders on scooters and motorcycles were not wearing helmets.

ah well. if you like head injuries, i suppose bring it on!
 
#29 ·
Is it cool to ride without a helmet? Definately.

Is it safer. Definately not.

Are teens old enough to decide to wear a helmet or not? Most probably not.

Are there adults that still think like teens? Yes.

Would more people ride with helmets if there was a law forcing them? Yes.

Is it a good idea to let people decide for themselves? IMO no.
 
#30 ·
My main beef is that when some intentionally acts irresponsible (like riding a motorcycle without proper protective gear...i.e. approved helmet) oftentimes they pass the burden of financial responsibility on to you and me in the form of higher medical expenses insurance rates.

I DO NOT MEAN TO OFFEND ANYONE HERE OR GET OFF TOPIC, THIS IS JUST FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY.

It is like smoking. It is your choice and I truly RESPECT that, however, a smoker should not be able to get medical insurance period! They should not receive medical treatment they cannot pay for out of pocket. Plain and simple. You chose to do something that irresponsible, you pay the consequences yourself.

Again, I apologize if anyone is offended.
 
#87 ·
Again I point out, that a large segment of the population thinks exactly the same thing about Motorcycle riding PERIOD.....
so do you feel that injuries you suffer in an accident should not be covered by insurance PERIOD, given the high risk nature of this activity??

I bet you don't......

but it's a slippery slope and once you start going done that path... the Nanny State is Looming
 
#31 ·
I hate to spring this on the anti smoking crowd but smokers pay a considerably more for health insurance than non smokers aqs well as much more for life insurance,I know , I was once a smoker. so if they shouldnt get coverage, oh well we dont evan want to get into the fast food crowd or at least 100 other hazzards. ther are many people who say motorcyclist shouldnt be covered. that is a dumb statement.
 
#32 ·
Helmet Laws

In the mid '80s I was a track marshall in road racing being first on the scene in the event of a crash, initially confronting and scary. I soon completed a first aid certificate which was extremely helpful in handling fallen riders when waiting for the medico's to arrive.
The point I wish to make may be helpful if you ever come across a bike or auto accident, breathing is far more important than bleeding. If a rider is not breathing, only then gently remove the helmet. Don't remove it otherwise. Medicos told me that a number of people die, not from injuries which may be significant, but for the simple fact of being knocked unconscious and swollowing their tongue.So simple to fish out the tongue but people afraid to touch a victim can see them die before their eyes.
I strongly recommend we should all complete a first aid course,you will be surprised the confidence it will give you.

Ride safe, somebody who loves you wants you home to-night.

Saturn 5
 
#33 ·
Advocating for a no helmet law is a waste of motorcycle lobbyist time. Give us HOV lanes, ability to park on the sidewalks, share lanes, and filter. You take your freedoms and I would prefer mine. Riding without a helmet is for saturday riders. Anyone riding for transportation is going to dress appropriately for safety anyway.
 
#34 ·
There is no helmet law in Utah and the insurance rates are no higher than any other place.
There are more riders that where them than not..:thumbup:
I ride with a club and the only riders that have crashed are thoughts that were wearing a helmet.:yikes:
Maybe riders with helmets ride faster because of it, take more chances?
Under 21 yes they should be required to use one .But you send 18year olds off to kill others.:confused:
Why can’t they drink and go to a place for smokers only (enter at your risk)
People jump out of perfectly good air planes they wear helmets why? To save face for the funeral?:green_lol:
Maybe you should be put in to your car like a nas car driver we would all be safer.:mrgreen:
Cell phones ? there a lot worse things going on than no helmets.
END OF RANT next……..:argue:
 
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