You can now ride HELMET FREE in Michigan!!

It exists because people are dumb

 

I was one of those/you people that said people who don't wear helmets are idiots and always said I would wear a helmet...I was wrong.

1) I am extremely glad that it is MY choice. I hate being told what to do. I like to think that all of us on two wheels understand the freedom of just getting on your bike and going where it takes you. I don't want a checklist of rules.

2) I absolutely LOVE riding with no helmet. There is no better feeling. It's like surfing great waves without a wet suit. I personally only do it when I am running to post office or getting cigarettes and know I will be staying around 40. If I take a long drive with some high speeds (and more idiots on the road) then the helmet goes on.

Big supporter of the no helmet law. It effects no one but the one who decides not to wear it. There are even some examples of where a helmet would have killed the rider if he was wearing one (although I do believe they save way more then hurt). Here is a great example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0SDc2YQWFw
(it's the guy under the burning car and all of the people lifting it off of him for those of you too lazy to click like me)

So don't worry about this champion...please allow me to be dumb.

P.S - ALL of my passengers MUST wear a helmet.

 

Try telling that to the family members of people killed or injured from not wearing them

 

I believe anyone that doesn't want to wear a helmet should have that right. Let the Darwin factor weed them out.

 

Although I can completely understand the expression of freedom thing, I am way to much into self-preservation to ride without a helmet.

 

Having worked in TBI, all I can say is be absolutely sure you're prepared for the repercussions of your actions. Go visit some people who have sustained head injuries just so you really know what you're prepared to live with (or not live with).

BTW, the research clearly shows that the likelihood of sustaining a head injury or a spinal cord injury due to a motorcycle crash is drastically higher when not wearing helmets.

To not wear a helmet because once in a VERY great while freak accidents happen where helmets are detrimental makes absolutely no sense. That's like always pointing a gun at your head when you pull the trigger just in case it backfires. Sure, someone will eventually live because of it, but most people will end up with a hole in their head.

All that said, I support your right to do dumbass things, even if I think they're dumbass things to do.

 

I get that kick, but if that was truly the case then why would you ride a bike at all. There is a perfectly safe car with air bags instead. You can die wearing a helmet too and the same family members would have to hear the same bad news.

I'm not fighting for any rights lol. PA has been no helmet for a long time. I just seen a lot of post from the "non idiot" side and figured I would defend/speak or us "idiots".

 

Translation- We can create more fines and penalties and harass non helmet wearers at will.

IMHO- Just strike the damn helmet law for the books and keep out of my wallet.
I personally choose to wear a helmet

Maz

 

People who ride with out a helmet are already brain dead vegetables, there just too dumb to realize it!!!!

 

i thought we needed rules to protect people who dont understand, but to change this rule seems a bit hard to understand, for me anyway.

 

What if a second vehicle is involved, at fault or not? That driver must now live with a death hanging over them. I am inclined to believe that this would have some "effects". I say this because a friend of my wife has experienced this. The rider was entirely at fault too, carelessly entered an intersection and struck her front driver side quarter panel. Needless to say, he is no longer "of this world".

My argument is not with you personally, not actually an argument at all. I am simply bringing light to other aspects of the situation. "To each, their own" is my view of the matter. I like the Darwin theory here as well.

At any rate, I hope you all stay safe.

 

Try telling the family members of people killed or injured while wearing them that they will save your life/keep you safe.
While I will admit they increase your chances of survival, they are not the be all do all answer. I always wear a lid, but support one's right not to wear one if they choose.
I lost a family member last year to a pick-up/motorcycle accident. The impact was so severe it knocked the helmet (full faced modular) clean off his head BEFORE he hit the windshield of the truck that turned in front of him.

 

Tend to agree about personal choice but I think there is a cultural thing as well, in what you are/were used to.My generation grew up with helmet laws as a given,ride a bike,wear helmet no option so they go together for most of us.
My parents generation no helmets,and having seen what was available at the time they were probably better off without them,what the hell were they thinking with those chin cups on the strap.Most of those dont feel right about wearing a helmet but hey they dont have a choice anymore.
And then there are those I see in summer wearing a leather jacket and carrying a helmet in their hand in shorts and thongs[flip flops?] because a leather jacket is cool but pants, boots and gloves aren't ?
And then there are the Harley assless chaps guys but that is a whole other story.
I wear a helmet,fullface because it's quieter, more comfortable and even if I never come off there are always bees, beetles, rocks, rain and on one memorable occasion I was even blinded by a moth with my visor up,at 60k even if the moth hits you in one eye both of them close and fill up with tears for the next 5 minutes! big bright light, bruised eyeball and steering by memory, not fun.
I'll wear a helmet,your an adult make your own choices.Darwin rocks.

 

While I'm a big supporter of smaller government and less laws this is one that I have to disagree with because it will effect me. There is no denying that the number of crashes with severe head trauma and brain injury will now go up in Michigan. Lets say you go down hard and wind up in intensive care for 9 months. There's about a million or so dollar medical bill. Now most insurance will cover 70-80% of a hospital stay. That still leaves you with 200 to 300 thousand to cover. Now most of us will be bankrupt by a bill like this but seeing as your so injured your now on disability so you have no choice but to file bankruptcy or you just don't pay the hospital either way. Guess who those costs get passed on to? All the rest of us. Also now that your unable to work we all also must pay for your monthly disability check that will barely get you by so you'll probably be trying for food assistance and welfare money. More the rest of is pay for you.
Helmet and seatbelt laws not only save lives they save money. Motor vehicle Accidents happen but if there's a way to lesson the injuries it should be mandated you take those precautions. Now yes you could get hurt a million other ways as well but the odds are much much greater on the roadways of America than almost any where else.

 

I can't understand what th problem is with wearing a helmet, whether it's law or not, i've got a face because i wear a fullface helmet. Here's to Darwin as well.

 

This is like a sweet ol' religion or abortion debate lol. I'm loving the intelligent responses of "duh your dumb".

I gotta say well put Jeff. I can see your point on that one. I have never filed for unemployment in my life or went for welfare. Fortunately I have never been disabled either. I will agree with you on that one. Now we could go deeper and say there are bigger issues such as people abusing the system which I'm sure cost way more, but you have a valid point. I have two full throttle businesses (not referring to this bike parts hobby). I pay into unemployment, disability, multiple insurances, workmans comp, etc. My bills are thousands monthly for those things. So you're not speaking to someone that is ignorant to that fact and I fully understand your argument, agree with it, but I think we have much bigger fish to fry to get those numbers down.

I personally have set myself up not to be in that situation. If I became a vegetable tomorrow then none of you would be paying for me. If I go then my family will become rich lol.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. Some things have so many variables that everyone could have valid facts and we will never agree on it. I'm just glad it is a personal choice.

...do I mention I'm atheist? lol.

 

With this mentality we should ban mcdonalds because its bad for you. People must be stupid if they eat there. Every one is entitled to make decisions for themselves one persons decision may not be the right one for everyone but its the right one for them to say someone is stupid for doing what they believe in is stupid

 

Freedom of choice is what this great country we live in here (U.S.A.) was built upon. I cant believe here in Minnesota (land of 10,000 stupid laws) have manged to escape this one so far.
I always wear a full face helmet, although I firmly believe it should be the riders choice. We should never have someone else beliefs forced upon us. They are probably dreaming up how to tax non-helmeted riders right now! However I strongly suggest wearing a helmet, it could be the difference between an open casket or closed. Hows that for a grim reminder?

 

Are any of you abate members or is abate stupid to

 

Minnesota abate is fighting a bill right now that will make bikers wear a helmet unless they- have 300,000 dollars personal ins. coverage, buy a special colored plate denoting they can ride without helmet. Of course costing more money. They aren't taking the right away, just making you pay for it. It is a joke.