Speaking of ATGATT....Another State goes Helmetless

Made me wonder how many out there in ADVRider land go helmetless?

http://www.freep.com/article/201204...cle-helmet-law-signed-Snyder?odyssey=nav|head

Good.

Now if only WA, OR, CA, NV, NE, MO, LA, MS, TN, GA, NC, VA, WV, VT, NJ NY & MA would do the same.

I lived in AZ for a while, and I decided to run to the store for a six-pack one afternoon, sans helmet. Never again. I felt too exposed, the wind noise and buffeting was even more horrendous (I ride a 950 ADV) and I kept getting sandblasted and bug-blasted.

I like my little bubble of civility around my head, the fact it protects is icing on the cake. Gives me the ability to concentrate on the important things, like going fast!

Having said all that, I'm with DAKEZ on this one. Let those who ride decide.

Why not MD?

Eh' no one actually likes Maryland.

Because I looked at the Helmet law map on a net-book and MD was too small to see.

For the record I wear a helmet EVERY time I ride even when I am in states that do not require one.

I agree with DAKEZ on this. I always wear mine but don't want big brother making the decision for me.

Another one in agrement. I always wear a helmet, but hate having laws telling what I can or cannot do. we need less government and to get our freedoms back.

As do I....I have become so accustomed to wearing it I feel odd if I don't. Just like a seat belt in a car...I don't have to wear one but I don't feel comfortable when I do not wear it.

Yes, that's my opinion also. But I will admit that the only reason I ever started wearing a helmet was due to USAF regulations way back in 1970. If you rode on base, you had to wear a helmet. I had already been riding for nine years and never owned a helmet. I got used to it and haven't ridden without one since. So big brother actually did me some good at that point.

i could care less who wears what... but. Please pick up your own tab for long term health care.

Somehow I think this whole helmetless thing ends up with lots of life and health insurance costs for all of us. Maybe even restrictions. When I say costs, I mean insurance companies invent a surcharge for motorcyclists or drop us all together regardless of helmet use.

Some insurance companies will not insure motorcycle racers now. It's not a big leap to exclude for all motorcyclists. Then what?

Yes, but in making your argument, you have just stumbled upon the slippery slope of helmet laws. If wearing a helmet is safer and results in lower insurance for all, then all should be required to wear helmets, right? Well, if we can prove that wearing armored gear also results in fewer injuries and lower insurance claims, then ATGATT should be mandatory as well, right? Well, if that is safer, can't we also demonstrate that not riding at all is safer than driving in a car?

What I consider stupid is not something I will advocate as legislation. I consider anybody who doesn't wear ATGATT to be willfully endangering themselves and honestly, stupid. There is a significant portion of the population that views any rider, regardless of gear to be willfully endangering themselves and stupid. I will not impose my view of safety on you because I don't want others to have that same power over me.

It sure would be nice if I could ride to my neighbors without worrying about getting a ticket, it is only 30 yards down the road. Every where else I don't care what the law is the helmet is on.

If there's money to be made insuring riders, then somebody will do it.

If there's not money to be made insuring riders, then I don't blame companies for not doing it.

Most states allow the vehicle operator to self-insure with a surety bond or similar, so even without an insurance company that would be an option.

30 yards seems like walking distance to me.

I'd vote for it.

Actually, I believe in helmet/seat belt laws for children. Children should be protected from the stupidity of their parents. Adults, however, should be free to make their own stupid choices as long as it doesn't endanger others.

Up with Darwin! Down with the Nanny State!

There is Google for news articles keywords.... "seatbelt repeal"

My home state does not require seat belts for adults. Live free or Die-New Hampshire.

A Harborview Medical Center study published in 1988 reported that injured motorcyclists in the trauma center relied on public funds a lower percentage of the time than did automobile drivers to pay their hospital bills during the same time period.

A 1992 study by the University of North Carolina's Highway Safety Research Center reported that automobile drivers and motorcyclists have their medical costs covered by insurance at a nearly identical
rate.

Source: http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/PositionStatements/VoluntaryHelmetUse.aspx