Do Helmet Laws Suck?

Is it that this is a freedom issue here and not a forced protection issue because we bikers have a tarnished image life style? Could it be that bikers are a minority of about 1% of the cars on the road and we are being discriminated against?

Check this out:
I witnessed the following;
On 5-5-03 at the California State Capital in room 4202, committee for Transportation, Bill AB1200 made it to On Call by a vote of 9 to 3. This bill reduces the helmet requirement to a 17 years and younger must use a helmet but 18 and over it would be a decision of the driver to use or not.

I was impressed by the ABATE and MMA presentations and actions here. We had about 200 Bikers show up, mostly Harley riders and very few others. The ABATE and MMA officers should be applauded. But we still have a long way to go. On Call for the bill means missing legislature members still get to vote. But it was very exciting to see it just this far. If this thing flies we may be able to reduce or remove the helmet law by next year in California.

During the debate, a Chief of the California Highway Patrol or CHP gave testimony that it would save lives to require helmets but really had no charts or proof but had lots of insurance people lined up to testify on his side. During the questioning by a local legislature member, the Chief was asked;
“Chief do you have on your Kevlar Vest that the CHP provided you? Answer “No”.
“Chief is it optional for you to use the vest?” Answer was “Yes”.
“Chief, then it was your decision not to put on the vest this morning even though you would be safer with the vest on?” Reluctant answer “Yes”.

Don’t get me wrong here, I have the utmost respect for the CHP and other Officers of the Law as some of them are family members and friends but this sounds like discrimination here.

We all know someone who had a bad accident that may have had worse injuries without a helmet but that is not the point here. FREEDOM IS THE POINT, It is our choice to put it on or not. People who don’t ride or have a twisted image of what it is to be a biker should not be making our decisions for us. We (all biker’s not just Harley riders) all have a unique life style that is being discriminated against and we all need to stand up for our rights before we loose them all. Can you imagne a group of non riders deciding that Motorcycles should be outlawed all togeather?

Support your Local ABATE and MMA.
Rapido

 

Awesome post Rapido.

 

Here in Texas it's optional, no helmet laws whatsoever.
I didn't wear one for quite a few years, but a few years ago when my son was about 10 he came to me with tears in his eyes and said....."Dad, why don't you wear a helmet, I sure wish you would".....well I haven't ridden without one since. At first I hated it, but I did it to honor my son's love for me, and to make him feel better about my safety. Now I don't even think about it I just put it on and go, I've gotten so used to it.
Some of my friends wear them, some don't.....and in observing all the riders I see here in Texas, I would say only 30-35% of the riders wear helmets.
But I still believe in the freedom of choice, and if I ever decide to ride without one, I should be able to do so. It's my life on the line no one else's.

good post Rapido

FBR

 

It would be a great day if and when we are able to make the choice again.

Rapido

 

If everyone would please go to this poll and vote yes for the right to choose. Its close every year and everything helps.
Thank
http://www.nbc4.com/traffic/2840291/detail.html

 

done

 

done also!!

 

got my vote ,
choice is always important
but then again it shouldn't even be a choice ,
just let us do what we want, no stupid law on it ,
what I do to my self is my business.
Damn rules anyway :-(

 

Thanks for your support but the House voted it out by 2 votes its been 2 votes every year. Then even if it passed the house the VA senate is a bunch of weirdo pansies anyway.

 

Voted Yes !