Michigan Helmet Law

[Robert]

Snyder signs repeal.

[XLFD]

Doesn't it seem ominous that the bill becomes law on Friday the Thirteenth?

Is this a good or bad thing?  I'm pretty much on the fence with this, so I will give an administrative  "thumbs up" gift to anyone who can make the best point for their position. 

Hey, it's about all I can afford.

[Lisa O'Brien]

Personally I would never ride without a helmet (I have an aversion to picking gravel out of my face and scalp let alone smashing my skull off of the pavement) but that is a personal preference, and in my opinion adults should be able to ride according to their personal preference. For non adults it should be mandatory as it is. 

Here is my take version of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of it:

The Good - The government does not need to have input on every aspect of our lives

The Bad - Head trauma will probably go up in the event of an accident

The Ugly - The poor EMS crews are going to be exposed to a lot more brains on the concrete when they respond to accidents.

[Willy]

Any fool who rides a motorcycle without a helmet is asking for trouble but it's not up to the Government to force an adult to ride safe. The problem I don't want is paying for some idiots medical and nursing home care after they have lost half their brains on the pavement. I've had many motorcylces and have ridden for years but one thing I am tired of hearing is these people who ride and complain  how motor vehicles don't watch out for them. All I can say is shut up. Your on a two wheel vehicle, speeding down the road, unprotected from the elements and danger so it's up to you to watch out. Your the one risking your life so it's up to you to be safe. Now I'm not talking about bicycles. I compare bicycles to sailboats among speedboats and it's the job of speedboats to watch for the slower vehicles but even then your taking a risk riding among the motorized machines.

[Robert]

I suppose this topic was a bit of a setup and for that I apologize. After a day of comments like furious, outraged and the flurry of comments about the carnage to come from non-riders, I just wonder. I don’t post often, generally respect the regulars opinion and more often than not, agree. Not trying to start a pissing match Willie but why the anger? This topic has and continues to draw a large number of opinions statewide, the majority non-rides and they are livid.

I have been riding for 42 years and developed what I think an exceptional set of driving skills I use daily. I also attempted to pass those skills along to my children because drivers education in this country is a joke. Face it, some automobile, bike riders just shouldn’t drive. Blame everything under the sun, cell phones, faulty vehicle/tire design, a million excuses for a sunny Sunday afternoon fatal single vehicle car accident on the freeway.

Riding a motorcycle, Harleys in particular has change dramatically over the years. Back in the late 70’s early 80’s  ALL motorcycles were required to be pushed in Michigan State Parks. No helmets, leather jackets allowed in bars restaurants. Riders today could be your Doctor, banker, next door neighbor and chances are, considering the cost, fully insured. Responsible people fully capable of making their own decisions.   Let those who ride decide. 

[Willy]

Robert

I think you misunderstood me. I don't think the Government should be telling anyone that they need to wear a helmet. That's up to the rider but if they are injured, we should not have to pick up the tab because riding a bike is dangerous no matter how good of a rider you are. If a car  gets hit by another  car at 10 mph most people would not suffer any injuries but if your on a bike and get hit by that same car  and your not wearing protection then your in for trouble. By the way, there's no anger here. I'm just tired of hearing how riders want everyone else to watch out for them when they are one's putting  themselves at risk.

[Lisa O'Brien]

I personally hate riding season - out here in NY they are allowed to split the lane. It makes for a very miserable tense commute. 

[AQUAMAN]

I personally have also been riding for about 40 years, a lot more in earlier years than now though. I have always seen both sides of this argument, and still find it awkward and filled with mixed emotions. On the one hand, you don't want to get injured, on a bike, car, mower, or boat, but you don't have to wear a helmet on these other vehicles, but the government made that decision for us anyhow, and it cancels some freedoms. On the other hand, being protected, esp. the head, is a good idea, and most riders will still wear helmets even if it's not required I believe. As for the brains subject, you could get that scenario with or without a helmet almost as easily. Why, because those DOT helmets aren't meant to be hit with g-forces that it will have to endure in a normal crash over 25mph. Freedom of Choice is something that we take for granted in the USA, doesn't mean we digest things dangerous and marked "not for human consumption" either. As far as insurance goes, anyone in any vehicle or accident even not in a vehicle is contributing to higher health costs too if they decide not to insure, whether it's health insurance, or auto insurance. Wisconsin, Florida and several other states don't require helmets, and haven't really seen a huge increase in deaths of recent. What IS Important is not allowing government to mandate all our daily decisions in our lives, and this is just another to deal with as adults. Anyone going 100mph as some do on bikes, are looking for death, if not today, then sometime soon, same goes for any other vehicle too. The slogan and bumper sticker that says "Watch for Motorcycles" is quite appropriate, way too many drivers don't look enough, nor care enough, unless they are bikers themselves. I always watch carefully for them, and give them the right-of-way, even if they don't have it legally, makes sense to me. I like your take on this Robert: "Let those who ride decide". I wonder what is popular for the NY gals to ride nowadays, Vespas....lol.

[Robert]

Hey,

There are still plenty of assholes that ride motorcycles. I know our leader is an avid bicyclist and M22/Arcadia has thousands sharing the road in season. I have stated on several occasions I have the utmost respect for the hobby and make every effort to give them the caution they deserve. However, there are still a few trying to make a statement and choose to ride in the road v using the paved shoulder that extends from South of Onekema to TC. Why?

 Did I raise the flag twice this morning, no. At 60, just another day and no rush to experience my new freedom. Drag pipes, novelty helmets….the sport evolving. Never been a big rice fan but do I get pissed when my neighbor blasts by at 130 with his weird muffler? Nope.

Lisa? I can find plenty of things that bugged me about freeway driving when I had to commute. As I have aged, I still enjoy driving/riding but have learned to overlook things I can’t control.     

[AQUAMAN]

Hey too, you know, the last few years there has been a bicycle type race/event/tour de Hamlin going on our way that stinks too Robert. Our roads in Hamlin are all just 2 lanes, yet these non-motorized bikers have literally about 100 riders of recent, and in July or August, sometimes both. You ever been in a hurry to get into town to work/play, and have all these people right in the road? Not at all concerned with holding up local traffic, just like they are riding in their own world, way out in the country where no vehicles go much. It seems to get worse every summer when they come, so what's next, skateboarders in the road? I must say, bicyclists in large numbers should find an alternative route to have these tours/events. Why doesn't law enforcement do something about this? Since I can't control it, I also try to overlook it mostly, doesn't mean I have to suck up though, do I? Hardy har....and lol.

[XLFD]

LOL.

[Robert]

Just like seatbelts. I started wearing one in 1974, actually saved my life once and feel uncomfortable just going to the party store down the street. However, I have a friend that will pull it across his lap but won’t buckle it and if I was him I wouldn’t leave the house, lol. Go figure. I made it through early life without seat belts, car seats, bicycle helmets, air bags, etc. Government regulation has dictated we spend considerable money to buy an armored car these days and people still die. Improvement in teaching our children how to drive would go a long way in my opinion.    

[Lisa O'Brien]

Robert,

I wish I could overlook it - but since I would like to get through life without killing anyone, it does make it stressful. I live in a highly populated area, on a sunny 80 degree day good driving skills still elude 80% of the populace. Throw in riding season it makes driving a nightmare. Now not only do you have to worry about your fellow commuters staying in their lane but you have to worry about a motorcycle squeezing past you on either side of the lane your in. But I guess I should work on not really giving a crap, if I hit them odds are I'll walk away without a scratch.