Many of you may be to young apparently to remember, but motorcyclists took up the issue in the state of wisconsin with the legislature in the late 70's and won the RIGHT TO DECIDE whether or not to wear a helmet. In wisconsin we allow the individual to make the choice. I personally prefer to be able to notice that out of the corner of my eye that vehicle that sould be staying put is all of a sudden pulling out in front of me.This may be harder to notice with a helmet on at times. As far as those who drink and ride, yes not smart, same for those who drink and drive 4 wheels. OHHH and alot of those bikes you see on the weekend are raising money through poker runs for charities, such as M.D.A., HOSPICECARE,CANCER SOCIETY,etc....... LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE.

Why dont you find somewhere else to post your rude comments and argue your views. A man is hurt and his family is hurting too. You dont know the story so how can you possibly find nothing better to do than talk smack about somebody you dont even know. You should be offering words of support.

and yes nurse4u I think school busses should have seatbelts, always have ever since I was bounced around myself going to school.

I've been a "biker" most of my 40+ years. I have many friends that ride. I've lost several over the years, some where wearing helmets some weren't. I've had many friends crash and live, again some with helmets some without. And I know 3 who are now paralyzed, due to breaking their necks/backs, all 3 - wearing helmets, now they can't feed themselves, hug anyone, or even breath on their own. Do helmets work? Sometimes, not always, and I know 3 that wished they hadn't worn one.
Also know many people who have been in car wrecks, Those with seatbelts on lived, those without did not. Seatbelts hold you in place, helmets don't protect your bodies as you slam into a tree, guardrail, car, pavement, so wear a helmet and protect your brain so you can spend years thinking about what your life use to be like as you lie in never ending pain from a shattered body

While we are on the subject, how come our children are made to ride in school buses without seat belts?? This has always bothered me..
Who else agrees with me?

Would you get into a roller croaster without strapping in and pulling your safety bar? Why not? It's not safe? So, why would you get into a car without a seat belt, or on a motorcycle without a helmet?

On our highways, there are many variables..unlicensed drivers, speeders, intoxicated individuals, stunt devils, weather, etc etc..Why would you take a chance and not protect yourself when you can NOT control everything that can happen, NO MATTER HOW CAREFUL OF A DRIVER YOU ARE!!

Take an egg and drop it on the cement..it's the same as your head cracking against the ground..

I think it's unfair to compare wearing a helmet on a motorcycle to wearing a seatbelt in a motor vehicle. It's apples to bananas. Two totally different situations. And if everyone would just pay a little more attention to the road and their surroundings, accidents can be prevented. Not all, but some! People are in such a rush to get where they're going, and so caught up in personal business that most times they're driving with their minds elsewhere. I'm guilty, as most of you probably are as well. Just pay attention as best you can, and maybe we'll hear less about accidents.

Lets boil this down to the section of motorcyclists (bikers) that are usually involved in these types of accidents.
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Drive around and take note of all the bikes parked at bars on a weekend. I'd say 95% are Harleys. These guys dress up like pirates and follow each other from bar to bar. NO WAY would they wear a helmet, it would spoil the costume. Then, after a few beers it would be jump on the bike (W/no safety gear) and blast down the road with their "safe" loud piped blaring.
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Then, take note of all the motorcyclists on the road. Goldwings, BMW's, and yes, Harley Baggers actually riding AND wearing safety gear. Sure these guys crash too but many walk away from the incident.
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The macho "biker" culture breeds irresponsibility. Dentists during the week / Bad A$$ bikers on the weekend. Ride free but don't forget your cell phone.

Again onelife, no logic in your comparison. The comparison would be seat belts on cars vs seat belts on cycles. Or helmets in cars vs helmets on cycles.
My stat of 2/3 came from bisociety which is the brain injury society. Why would you discriminate against auto drivers and not try to save their lives? Are you not worried about people in general, but elevate cycle riders above others? Please learn to compare...

My Mother was a nurse for 30 years and has plenty of stories about no seat belts and helmets and inattentive driving...jmo..peace

I was jsut driving in my car..
I am wishing that man well..and a very speedy recovery..

Good post nurse...and don't drink and drive.

Here's a nurse who has seen what no seat belts and helmets bring...pain and suffering...jmo...peace

Today on Milton Ave, another horrible crash..

It was very heartwarming to see all the people who stopped to help the victim. That is what being a community is, everyone helping when others need it..Thank you for assisting until the paramedics and police arrived (which was a great response!!! A very special Thank you!!)

Just everyone, PLEASE wear a helmet while driving a motorcycle!!

Benthinkin, you might have a point if motorcyclist had to wear a helmet and I did not have to wear a seat belt...jmo...peace

Hey Benthinkin, I would not call it a rant. Just voicing my opinion. 2/3 of all accidents are head trauma? Wrong...do your research..check the insurance and GAO stats...over 60% of complaints are neck and back pain...I agree to disagree..peace..don't be hatin'...

lakennedy, I have been riding all of my life and wear a helmet. Matter of fact there is a selection of 6 helmets in my garage right now for myself and those who ride with me to wear.
The age old debate is cars have to wear seatbelts and so cycles should have to wear helmets. My issue is that those who state that typically are not motorcyclists and really don't have an arguement because as stated 2/3 of car accidents involve head trauma and yet they refuse to talk about that because it would inconvenience them.

No actually you are ranting about making motorcyclists wear something because you have to wear seatbelts. The real issue is head injury and you still are not addressing the hyprocricy of demanding cycles wear them while 2/3 of car accidents involve head injury and yet you will not demand car drivers wear them.
Check out the definition of hyprocrite please.

Okay, we get that you aren't that supportive of being forced to wear seatbelts or helmets, benthinkin. I just don't understand why you wouldn't want to wear a helmet. I don't ride, but it just seems too much of a risk to not wear one...one wrong turn (weather it be your fault or not) and you're dead.

So I want to wear a helmet in a vehicle with a seat belt, and airbags...but motorcyclists can wear nothing...you are being irrational...but if they pass the law I would wear one....and I'd modify my muffler so it is super loud because we all know "loud pipes save lives"....and I would go on tub runs and poker runs, which is another excuse to go bar hopping...I am 43 and have been around dude....don't be condescending please...I am not ignorant to what goes on.

Oops, my mistake. A person who wants to impose wearing a helmet on one group while not wearing one themselves is actually a hyprocrite.

So onelife, why is it you will not address the issue of wearing a helmet in a motor vehicle. As stats have shown more than two thirds of all vehicle crashes involve head trauma and yet you are not concerned in the least.
Or is your double standard to only impose your will on others when it is convenient to you???
Oh ya...peace

Seat belt laws but no helmet laws...double standard.
Do most motorcycle drivers that are parents make their kids wear a helmet on their pedal bikes? Yes....Duh...Don't drink and drive and wear a helmet...common sense people..
And don't give me that "loud pipes save lives" either..Slow down and be defensive bikers...you have no protection...no sympathy here for any of them that do not wear a helmet and drink and drive...their choice, their problem..

And no one cut him off, he crashed on his own...jmo...peace

The number one accident type (about 40%) between a motorcycle and a motor vehicle is the motor vehicle turning left in front of the motorcycle... and then the comment that "I just didn't see him"
So do we ban left turning motor vehicles, or ban drivers who can't see???

Spikesmom your right you should not have to wear that seat belt either.. Remember back when people had the right to chose what they did with there life? Now it's all insurace companies that make the rules and the politians follow..

Spikesmom, there would be fewer motorcycles accidents if people in four wheels would slow down and look. Most accidents are with motorest in four wheels not seeing us.

id actually bet that he will drink/drive again. drunk drivers have a feeling of invincibility in the first place. this, ironically, will prolly only justify his beliefs.

I don't understand why it'a against the law for me to drive a car without a seat belt on but motorcyclists are not required to wear helmets. It'a heck of a lot easier to receive life threatening or ending injuries in a motorcycle accident than it is in a car accident.

You might be suprised....alot do.

I bet he wont drink and ride a bike again