Posted On: May 25, 2007, 8:00 am CDT

Posted By: RustyBongard

Waiting Breathlessly, YOU GET REAL! To suggest that people cannot see a 750 pound vehicle with at least one bright headlight on, legally traveling at the speed limit towards them is rediculous. Its an excuse and a damn poor one that has taken the life or limbs of to many of my freinds. Tell me they do not see Semi Trucks either, because the same right of way offenses is also reportedly the biggest complaint of truckers. Although the consequences are dramatically different.

As far as the SQUIDS (squished kids) are concerned, the average crotch rocket rider is under 21 years of age, and in almost every incidence I have seen is wearing a full faced expensive helmet. And I have seen a few in my line of work as a law enforcement officer. I firmly stand for programs that address this issue! Including wearing a helmet. Of the conciencious Sport Biker Riders out there with the maturity and sense to ride within the law, I would venture that every one of them would continue to wear a high quality helmet as well as other high speed race quality safety equipment when they ride. Its a different style of riding and much more prone to crashes, and as responsible adults they know this and make good decisions on their own without government (Insurance Company) intervention.

I cannot deny that I am Arrogant. However this has nothing to do with the big Insurance Companies lies, nor the ineffectiveness of MANDATORY helmets as a cure all for motorcyle safety.

I also will not deny I have a chip on my shoulder. I am insulted that the State of Michigan, ( that I was born and raised in, and from where I voluntarily served over 10 years in the military, (Including being deployed over a year since 9-11 as a reservist, missing my wife, and my daughters entire 9th year of life, and having worked in the service of Michiganders as a law enforcement Officer for over 11 years),
would allow Governor Granholm to continue to perpetuate AAA's lie to our citizens about helmets, and how they are a panacea for all motorcylist safety issues.

Another dose of reality for you is that these are NOT ACCIDENTS. These are CRASHES. This is what they are termed as by Michigan State Police Traffic Services Division. This is what they are termed as by the NHTSA. Take you argument up with them. "Accident" implys lack of fault. Thats B.S. and if you "got real" you would agree that is simply not the case.

The majority of bikers in Michigan are adult, employed, well paid, and well insured. The wisest seeking additional Uninsured and Underinsured coverage because of the POORLY INSURED AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS. We love to ride as a means of recreation, economical transportation, and a way to blow off the workaday stress, if not just because its our lifestyle. The majority of us in ABATE are long term riders with a combined resource of millions of miles on the road, and thousands of years of experience riding motorcycles. Anyone waiting breathlessly to expound upon their imaginations as a non rider about the ramifications or issues which face motorcyclists is at best, smoking crack. (This would mean more to you if you ever dealt with a crackhead)

If Michgan wants to GET REAL;
The argument here ITS NOT ABOUT THE UTILITY OF HELMETS, ITS ABOUT THE FUTILITY OF HELMET LAWS!
Concentrate on the mile of road BEFORE the crash.
Was the rider properly trained and endorsed?
Was the rider on a bike that was appropriate for his/her abilities and experience?
Was the rider sober and straight?
Was the Automobile driver on a cell phone, DVD player, eating, changing CD's, yelling at kids, or doing anything but paying attention
while driving?
Was the Automobile driver trained and well versed on driving on roadways with motorcycles, and aware of the importance of
watching for them?
Were there severe enough penalties for Right of Way violations causing death or injury in place to make even the worst driver fear the
consequences of not looking for motorcycles before entering an intersection or turning left?
Was the Automobile Driver sober and straight?
This is what ABATE is all about. Education, including education on the merits of helmets as a meaningful part of a much bigger and more
complex picture. Not Helmet laws as the myopic minded CURE for Motorcycle Safety. Most of us will continue to wear a helmet at those
times we feel it is useful and prudent. We are not stupid, suicidal, or interested in living on the edge. We are experienced long term riders,
and are quite certain that we can decide for ourselves what kind of safety devices will best benefit our riding situation.
We do not need the government under the false pretense as pushed by Insurance Companies that they know what is best for us, to FORCE a helmet to be worn on our head. It is unconstitutional and unamerican.
If all the questions listed above could be answered "yes" there would be a more dramatic effect on the frequency of head injury related deaths and injuries in Michigan than helmets ever will have. Not only that, it would dramatically reduce limb loss, paralysis, blunt force trauma, and other severe injuries that helmets do nothing to prevent, and which encompass the majority of cases where longterm or lifelong medical care is necessary from motorcycle crashes.

If your truly interested in the truth about helmets and the real causes of crashes and what needs to be done about them do your homework. Here are a couple of places to get started.
http://www.motorcyclists-against-dumb-drivers.com/cell-phones-independent-variable.html
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/