Helmets work

[Randy]

Last week, I was informed that one of my riding buddies took a spill at approx 45 mph resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down, along with other injuries that will take a while to heal. He was an 'all the gear, all the time' rider, but, sometimes, injuries happen that the best gear won't prevent. Without the gear that he had, we would probably be visiting him at the funeral home instead of the hospital.

That being said, a group of us were taking a ride to the crash site. We were riding in the typical staggered format as we approached a red light. The lead rider turned into the gas station before the light. The rider behind him didn't see him turning and t-boned him. Very slow collision (no more than 5 mph) but, the 2nd rider went down and landed head first on the ground. He stood up, picked up his bike, and moved it out of the roadway. No serious damage to the bike or him. Surprisingly, it left a nice gouge on the top of his helmet. I think his ego was hurt more than anything. Had he not had his helmet on, I'm not sure what would have happened, but, I'm sure he wouldn't have been back in the saddle riding 5 minutes after this happened.

I never ride helmetless, but, I support the right to choose. Sounds weird and not sure I can explain it, but, that's how I feel.

 

[twowheelnut]

Well, okay then.

Sorry to hear of your injured friend.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I never ride helmetless, but, I support the right to choose. Sounds weird and not sure I can explain it, but, that's how I feel.

Would that mean (just for the sake of discussion...) then: That you'd like everyone to have the choice to wear or not wear and and maybe? align those choices with ride or not ride? IOW, everyone be smart/educated/diligent/threatened/scared enough to choose not to ride w/out a good helmet?Or, am I putting words in your mouth?

 

[Randy]

I don't think you're that far off. The way the law is written in PA, it states that riders over 21 years of age are not required to wear a helmet if they have been licensed for at least 2 years or if they have taken a riders safety course. In my opinion, these 2 circumstances provide riders with enough opportunity to know/understand the risks that are out there and if they chose to go helmetless, then they are free to do so.

I think the incident with Ben R is going to put helmets on quite a few people that didn't wear them before. If for nothing else, it brought out the true definition of the law (in PA) and some riders are going to realize that they have been riding illegally without a helmet. It's going to either a) make them take a safety course; b ) make them get out of the cycle of continuously renewing the permit rather than taking the test and getting a license (yep, many do); or c) make sure they are covered by the 2-year rule. Another part of the law that became apparent to many, there are also laws for the pillion. If they are under 21, they must wear a helmet. If the rider doesn't fit under one of the categories that allows them to ride without a helmet, then the passenger must also wear a helmet.

 

[Woodstock]

I never ride helmetless, but, I support the right to choose. Sounds weird and not sure I can explain it, but, that's how I feel.

I don't think that's odd at all. I think a lot of us (myself included) agree with you there.

 

[drjfjr]

I never ride helmetless, but, I support the right to choose. Sounds weird and not sure I can explain it, but, that's how I feel.

I don't think that's odd at all. I think a lot of us (myself included) agree with you there.

+1

I wear a helmet all the time but agree that we should have the right to choose

 

[madmike2]

I wear a helmet all the time but agree that we should have the right to choose

Then, of course, you won't be offended if I exercise my choice to not ride with you if your not wearing a helmet. The sight of brains spilling out of a skull turns my stomach and, if it isn't that serious, a head wound bleeds like crazy and I really don't want to ruin my clothing trying to stop your bleeding. Plus, I'd rather not have to make that telephone call to your beloved father/mother/wife/S.O., or children after helping to scoop you into the "meat wagon".

You are right in the theory/philosophy, "It's all about choices and consequences of those choices." Unfortunately, like it or not, your choices will affect my emotions and psychological makeup if there were to be an incident, so I'd rather not be a witness to your choice.

But, that's just my right-to-choose.

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Lordy, this is just too much fun. TWN? Rad? Brun?

 

[Mike-H]

I wear a helmet all the time but agree that we should have the right to choose

Then, of course, you won't be offended if I exercise my choice to not ride with you if your not wearing a helmet. The sight of brains spilling out of a skull turns my stomach and, if it isn't that serious, a head wound bleeds like crazy and I really don't want to ruin my clothing trying to stop your bleeding. Plus, I'd rather not have to make that telephone call to your beloved father/mother/wife/S.O., or children after helping to scoop you into the "meat wagon".

You are right in the theory/philosophy, "It's all about choices and consequences of those choices." Unfortunately, like it or not, your choices will affect my emotions and psychological makeup if there were to be an incident, so I'd rather not be a witness to your choice.

But, that's just my right-to-choose.

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Lordy, this is just too much fun. TWN? Rad? Brun?

MM2....you one bad man....

 

[Woodstock]

I wear a helmet all the time but agree that we should have the right to choose

Then, of course, you won't be offended if I exercise my choice to not ride with you if your not wearing a helmet.

Mike, what part of "I wear a helmet all the time" didn't you understand?



FWIW: I probably wouldn't ride with someone who wasn't wearing a helmet, either. Tells me too much about his/her level of risk/stupidity. Group riding can be dangerous enough as it is. I just don't think the government should dictate.

 

[Windjammer]

Then, of course, you won't be offended if I exercise my choice to not ride with you if your not wearing a helmet.

Hey bro, I'd be happy to never ride with ya! I don't like squeamish people riding with me anyway, they're too much like some people called *******! :lol:

Group riding is dangerous and should be banned. Look at how many times people go down trying to keep up on a group ride after thousands of safe miles riding solo. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

So....if I pass a bunch of bikes going the opposite way, and see ya layin' injured by the side of the road, I'll just keep right on goin since my personal beliefs prevent me from assisting you. Even if the blood is pouring out of your full face lid, which is not at all uncommon.

Sound like a ******** attitude? Go back and re-read your post, it sounds just as bad, IMO.

WJ

(Note: author of above rides with lid, just bought a new Arai)

 

[madmike2]

So....if I pass a bunch of bikes going the opposite way, and see ya layin' injured by the side of the road, I'll just keep right on goin since my personal beliefs prevent me from assisting you. Even if the blood is pouring out of your full face lid, which is not at all uncommon.
Sound like a ******** attitude? Go back and re-read your post, it sounds just as bad, IMO.

WJ

(Note: author of above rides with lid, just bought a new Arai)

Well if, in your assessment, I have not done all I can to mitigate the risks and dangers involved regarding our passion and avocation, and if it is your considered opinion I weighed the odds and rode my motorcycle anyway so deserve to lay there bleeding on the street, and your personal beliefs prevent you from assisting, so be it.

Kindly note I didn't say I'd not stop and help any person at any time. I did mean to say I would not intentionally ride with those whose attitude and conscience is so cavalier that they assume bad things only happen to other people and the risk to themselves is so slight there is no reason to take preventative or precautionary measures.

Personally I react the same toward the riders who have a beer or two, or a mixed alcoholic beverage with lunch, I don't ride with them again. Its my opinion this is risky behavior and beyond the pale of responsible riding.

I believe I did a fairly good job of abstaining from the use of name calling. I suppose those who ride with no gear are the only "manly-men" among us. Long live the "wussies", may their tribe increase! :clapping:

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This is still waaaaayyyy toooo much fun. No wonder Rad and TWN enjoy it so much! Must---- resist----must---- resist----must fight being pulled over to the dark side.......... :lol:

 

[Mike-H]

Can I get a bell so these two gentlmen can cool out for a minute....thank you....

 

[fjrchik]

oh criminy...do we really need another helmet thread?? :huh:

the answer is no

 

[twowheelnut]

...and the Indian Larry goes:

Splat, splat, splat,

Splat, splat, splat,

And the Indian Larry goes...

'Professional' stunt rider. No helmet. No longer livin'. Pretty much sums it up for me. Tell him I said, 'hey', when you meet him.

 

[madmike2]

Can I get a bell so these two gentlmen can cool out for a minute....thank you....

Golly gee whiz, and I just got a new paddle for stirrin' up the mud......okay, I'll quit, but I won't go to my room .

 

[Mike-H]

Can I get a bell so these two gentlmen can cool out for a minute....thank you....

Golly gee whiz, and I just got a new paddle for stirrin' up the mud......okay, I'll quit, but I won't go to my room .

Fine....if it will make you happy....you can cause **** on another thread....OK?

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

The way the law is written in PA, it states that riders over 21 years of age are not required to wear a helmet if they have been licensed for at least 2 years or if they have taken a riders safety course. In my opinion, these 2 circumstances provide riders with enough opportunity to know/understand the risks that are out there and if they chose to go helmetless, then they are free to do so.I think the incident with Ben R is going to put helmets on quite a few people that didn't wear them before. If for nothing else, it brought out the true definition of the law (in PA) and some riders are going to realize that they have been riding illegally without a helmet. It's going to either a) make them take a safety course; b ) make them get out of the cycle of continuously renewing the permit rather than taking the test and getting a license (yep, many do); or c) make sure they are covered by the 2-year rule. Another part of the law that became apparent to many, there are also laws for the pillion. If they are under 21, they must wear a helmet. If the rider doesn't fit under one of the categories that allows them to ride without a helmet, then the passenger must also wear a helmet.

<snip>...You are right in the theory/philosophy, "It's all about choices and consequences of those choices."

FWIW: I probably wouldn't ride with someone who wasn't wearing a helmet, either. Tells me too much about his/her level of risk/stupidity.

Randy, thanks for your thoughtful comments on the Ben R/helmet issue. It sounds like PA has a fairly good framework (legislatively) to help with this problem. Either Ben R was ignorant of the law or a scofflaw (or, working the "loophole")? Seems then that either (1) more education of the riding public is needed; or (2) stricter or more agressive law enforcement?MM2 & Woodstock: You make good points about the effects of choices. Would it follow that those who purposely choose to increase the possibility of the severity of any consequences of their (or someone elses) mistakes may also be more inclined to make other poor decisions? Or, is that too much of a stretch? Maybe?...what's needed is an educational campaign supported by the AMA (when hell freezes over), the industry, and the media (including the movie industry) to make helmet wearing appear not only smart/logical but fashionable. Hopefully also having the side effect of ostracizing from the group (motorcyclists in particular; society in general) those who refuse to comply. If all that doesn't work, there's always legislation -- sometimes that's what it takes for a particularly recalcitrant society?

I know I'm preaching to the choir, here -- but, as has been stated here and elsewhere, this topic affects all of us and can be rectified. I'd like to suggest a more proactive stand be taken by those who say, "I defend your right to choose" -- to something like: "Freedom and responsibility go together -- what you're choosing is irresponsible."

 

[Groo]

 

[snowmonkey]

...and the Indian Larry goes:---- ---- ----

---- ---- ----

---- ---- ----

...and the Indian Larry goes

'Professional' stunt rider. No helmet. No longer livin'. Pretty much sums it up for me. Tell him I said, 'hey', when you meet him.

Not funny and totally in bad taste.., your ego has fouled your humor.