Great discussion about the pros and cons of helmet laws

[kriscook]

http://www.sbumaui.org/helmet_law_facts.pdf

What do you think about helmet laws?  Dixie ABATE has not waded into this shark-infested water yet, but I bet we do, some day.

[Bluesman58]

Interesting.I think I will always wear a helmet(even if it is a skid lid type) but I don't want to be told I have to wear one. I believe in freedom of choice.

[kriscook]

Interesting.I think I will always wear a helmet(even if it is a skid lid type) but I don't want to be told I have to wear one. I believe in freedom of choice.

Exactly.  I will wear a helmet, but I'll fight for your right not to.   

[shane]

As a Biker, I think we just want to be free and make up our on minds for what is wright an wrong. I would wear a helmet 98% of the time but 2% of the time I don't want people making me wear one.

 

[Schleprock]

http://www.sbumaui.org/helmet_law_facts.pdf

What do you think about helmet laws?  Dixie ABATE has not waded into this shark-infested water yet, but I bet we do, some day.

I am against being forced to wear a helmet.

[2WheelerFred]

I am begining to understand this more, from the non wearers point of view and like some of those above feel you should have the right to choose after you turn 21.

[Schleprock]

I am begining to understand this more, from the non wearers point of view and like some of those above feel you should have the right to choose after you turn 21.

I was man enough to join the USMC at 18, yet not old enough to drink a beer or make a choice that only effects me. Either raise the voting age, age of responsibility for your actions, etc to 21, or drop everything to the age of 18. I want our troops that are fighting for our freedom to have every right that I have. If I, a disabled veteran, can choose not to wear a helmet, then why can't an eighteen year old enlisted man? I have heard the argument that they are not mature or responsible enough to make their own decisions, but I can tell you that most of our eighteen year old troops are much more mature and responsible than the middle aged, mid-life crisis victims at the harley dealerships.

[Gak79]

Right on Schleprock I totally agree

[kriscook]

I was man enough to join the USMC at 18, yet not old enough to drink a beer or make a choice that only effects me. Either raise the voting age, age of responsibility for your actions, etc to 21, or drop everything to the age of 18. I want our troops that are fighting for our freedom to have every right that I have. If I, a disabled veteran, can choose not to wear a helmet, then why can't an eighteen year old enlisted man? I have heard the argument that they are not mature or responsible enough to make their own decisions, but I can tell you that most of our eighteen year old troops are much more mature and responsible than the middle aged, mid-life crisis victims at the harley dealerships.

You are right about that, but sacrificing under-18 riders so we can win freedom for all other riders might be the way we'd have to go.  I think it might be much harder to get an across-the-board repeal of the helmet law than it would to get an amendment that puts stipulations on it.  Witness Michigan's huge compromise.  Is that better than nothing?  I think so. 

I just got back from one of my frequent weekend trips to Missouri.  I drive all the way through Arkansas every time, twice in a weekend.  I see hundreds of bikes riding helmet-free there and it makes me wish Alabama was that motorcycle-friendly. 

[Schleprock]

I was man enough to join the USMC at 18, yet not old enough to drink a beer or make a choice that only effects me. Either raise the voting age, age of responsibility for your actions, etc to 21, or drop everything to the age of 18. I want our troops that are fighting for our freedom to have every right that I have. If I, a disabled veteran, can choose not to wear a helmet, then why can't an eighteen year old enlisted man? I have heard the argument that they are not mature or responsible enough to make their own decisions, but I can tell you that most of our eighteen year old troops are much more mature and responsible than the middle aged, mid-life crisis victims at the harley dealerships.

You are right about that, but sacrificing under-18 riders so we can win freedom for all other riders might be the way we'd have to go.  I think it might be much harder to get an across-the-board repeal of the helmet law than it would to get an amendment that puts stipulations on it.  Witness Michigan's huge compromise.  Is that better than nothing?  I think so. 

I just got back from one of my frequent weekend trips to Missouri.  I drive all the way through Arkansas every time, twice in a weekend.  I see hundreds of bikes riding helmet-free there and it makes me wish Alabama was that motorcycle-friendly. 

I agree that we have to make compromises. I agree that under 18 is probably a fair enough compromise to make. I also feel that if you're old enough to make the decision to serve our country, and old enough to decide our next president, you're old enough to make personal choices that effect no one besides yourself.

[2WheelerFred]

That has always been one of the great debates, but even if you go into the military they try to give you as much training as necessary, they do not stick a rifle in your hands until you know how to use and care for it and know the safety precautions. Most anything the military has you do they train you how to do it correctly, even walking in a group more commonly known as marching has a set of guidelines to follow. So I don't think in my opinion asking someone to take training or to wear certain protective gear under a certain age is asking too much.

[kriscook]

I rode without a helmet last weekend!  I was riding two-up with a friend on some roads around Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.  It was absolutely heaven, and a huge first for me.  We could talk, I could see, the wind noise wasn't bad, and we weren't banging our heads together all the time.  No wonder those Arkansawyers like riding with no helmet!!!

[Schleprock]

That has always been one of the great debates, but even if you go into the military they try to give you as much training as necessary, they do not stick a rifle in your hands until you know how to use and care for it and know the safety precautions. Most anything the military has you do they train you how to do it correctly, even walking in a group more commonly known as marching has a set of guidelines to follow. So I don't think in my opinion asking someone to take training or to wear certain protective gear under a certain age is asking too much.

I'm all for mandatory training. I'm against a US Marine not being allowed the same freedom to make up his own mind about whether or not to wear a helmet, just because he's 18.

I rode without a helmet last weekend!  I was riding two-up with a friend on some roads around Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.  It was absolutely heaven, and a huge first for me.  We could talk, I could see, the wind noise wasn't bad, and we weren't banging our heads together all the time.  No wonder those Arkansawyers like riding with no helmet!!!

I ride without a helmet quite often, but usually because my absent-mindedness sometimes leaves my helmet hanging from the sissy bar. 

[kriscook]

Schlep, do you think, then, that if the law was amended to allow those over 21 to ride helmetless, that we should put in a section that reads "unless the person under 21 is or has been in the U.S. military? 

[Schleprock]

Schlep, do you think, then, that if the law was amended to allow those over 21 to ride helmetless, that we should put in a section that reads "unless the person under 21 is or has been in the U.S. military? 

Kris, I would absolutely agree with that adjustment, however, I don't think it would fly. I think the law would have to read, simply, "18 and over with proper training," or something along those lines.