They passed the "no helmet law"

YZMAN400

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Dec 2, 2003
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woodsy said:
Don,, then whats the point in addressing trail loss issues by writing to our representitives when asked to?? One persons voice does make a difference.. More then you can imagine!!!


Dude your making my brain hurt....As if reading the flood of GLDS/CCC emails and the beating the Boon trail gave me hasn't inflicted enough damage on me ol bod/mind already :yikes:

I need some coffie I think :nener:
 

James

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If someone can be charged for manslaughter for a collision where they were not at fault...we have bigger problems than helmet laws.
 

SNDMN2

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Jul 18, 2003
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2TrakR said:
Gee, what could THAT be about?

I was just thinking about this the other day. I don't know enough about it to form any opinions. I guess I"m going to have to sit in at a meeting.
 

BadgerMan

Mi. Trail Riders
Jan 1, 2001
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I am bothered by my own thinking on this subject in that when some Peter Fonda wannabe whacks his unprotected head on a curb, I am gonna be relieved because he doesn’t live on to become a ward of the state.

Woodsy………I don’t liken helmets to alcohol because I think it is possible to consume adult beverages in a safe manner whereas I don’t think you can ride a motorsicle on the street without a helmet, in a safe manner…….just my personal opinion. Instead, I liken helmets and seat belts to stop signs and speed limits. All are just good common sense measures to protect yourself and others.

As an aside, I do think we need tougher penalties for abuse of alcohol involving vehicles.

A similar ethical dilemma (in my mind) is the current trend for the Lance Armstrong wannabes to ride their bicycles to work, during rush hour traffic, just to save a few dollars in gasoline. I cringe everyday as I pass these guys going to and fro. I think “what is the cost to society when they become disabled or when they are killed and they leave behind a wife and children”? Should the freedom to ride your pedally bike to work be restricted? No. Do I think these guys are fools for taking such risks? Hell yes.

So, the question is “do we need legislation to protect people from themselves (natural selection)”? My mind is still chewing on this one.
 

TCTrailrider

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Jan 19, 2004
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I would never consider riding without a helmet, but don't have a problem if others chose to do so. Its a personal choice that will not cause injury to the innocent.
I support the law requiring protective eyewear. A bug in your eye at 55mph may cause damage to others. I support required use of seatbelts. Taking evasive action to avoid a collision requires control of the vehicle. You can't control it if your not behing the wheel and a seat belt will heep you there. Requiring others to obey these laws keeps me and others safer.
I don't see how lack of a helmet could cause or contribute to an accident. Sure it may increase medical costs but so do alot of things. Smoking, drinking, over weight, lack of excersise and on and on. Govenmment can't require free people to live perfectly healthy lives.
I blew out my knee last year on the dirtbike. Cost my insurance company about $10,000. Can't take that privelage away because it may increase costs. I now won't ride without knee braces but I would not support a law requiring them. Its a personal choice.
 

Wolverine423

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IMO this is the best statement on this post.
 

woodsy

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Wolverine423

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110 temp in Michigan????Boy that's a sturdy leg to stand on! And you call me ^^^WERD^^^ :)
 

BadgerMan

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woodsy said:
GOOD NIGHT I MISS MY COLLEGE DEBATE CLASSES.... ;)

I'll bet they miss you too....... ;)

I said it was "possible" and I believe that most consumption is done in a safe manner. Trouble is, the abuses make headlines when people are hurt. There is a difference between consumption and abuse although many folks, sad to say, never figure that out.

Regarding helmets, you will never convince me that one is safer sans skid lid. Any sport where there is even a threat of trauma to the head involves a helmet as a piece of essential gear.

The only unanswered question, in my mind, is whether we should try to "legislate common sense". When we say that a biker with a naked head is only risking hurting himself, I disagree with that. We all have families and maybe those that we are supporting. I think that we have responsibilities (to our oved ones) to avoid taking unnecessary risks. If you are no longer around due to your risk taking, who is gonna be hurt and what is the cost to our families, friends, and society?
 

salgeek

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Oct 2, 2003
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Not certain about this ... but I think protective eyewear is required at all times off-road. But, eyewear is only required on-road if you are traveling over 35mph and you do not have a windshield that shields your eyes.

As for the seat belt usage in a car... I agree that a seat belt will keep you planted in the seat so you can take corrective action; but, I've driven few cars where the handling was good enough that I needed a seat belt to stay put.
 

tdunn976

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Aug 23, 2003
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BadgerMan said:
I'll bet they miss you too....... ;)


The only unanswered question, in my mind, is whether we should try to "legislate common sense". QUOTE]

Now there's a thought, our legislatures, legislating something they know nothing about. :whoa:
 

Wolf Child

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BadgerMan

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tdunn976 said:
Now there's a thought, our legislatures, legislating something they know nothing about. :whoa:

Good point :nod:
 

Smit-Dog

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It puzzles my brain that alcohol and tobacco are legal, yet marijuana is illegal... :think:

And bicyclists that ride on the white line or edge of roads at 15-20mph with cars and trucks going 40-50mph right along side them... They belong in the same category as helmet-less riders... :coocoo:
 

BadgerMan

Mi. Trail Riders
Jan 1, 2001
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It puzzles my brain that alcohol and tobacco are legal, yet marijuana is illegal... :think:

Yer not one of them there hippy types, are ya' Bill? :ohmy:

And bicyclists that ride on the white line or edge of roads at 15-20mph with cars and trucks going 40-50mph right along side them... They belong in the same category as helmet-less riders... :coocoo:

Good analogy IMO. Both are terribly risky situations that I personally would avoid. Would I prefer to see people stop taking such risks? Yep. Do I think that there should be laws prohibiting either behavior? Probably not.
 

foxmichigan

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Feb 24, 2000
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Well certainly an interesting debate, and lots of good points on both sides. I was riding before the helmet law, and bought a helmet because it was required for ice racing. I wore one from that point forward. Quite frankly YZMAN400 opening post sums it up. Taken from WZZM. "Motorcycle Helmet Law changes could mean dollars for Michigan" http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=82212
What strikes me is one can buy a really good full face, well ventilated, Snell/DOT helmet for less than $140, or pay $100 to not wear one. ;)
 

KTM Mike

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woodsy

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joey450

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You do not think riding a dirt bike is an unnecessary risk :coocoo:
 

woodsy

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joey450 said:
You do not think riding a dirt bike is an unnecessary risk :coocoo:

RIGHT ON TARGET - BINGO!!!
but remember to be respectful,,, hopefully you know him well enough to call him coocoo so no one gets offended.... ;)
 

bbarel

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Apr 13, 2003
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Smit-Dog said:
And bicyclists that ride on the white line or edge of roads at 15-20mph with cars and trucks going 40-50mph right along side them... They belong in the same category as helmet-less riders... :coocoo:
I agree, but they probably think the same about you! A car can come over a few feet to the right and take out a bicycle, but it can also come over a few feet to the left and smack you head on.
 

BadgerMan

Mi. Trail Riders
Jan 1, 2001
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You do not think riding a dirt bike is an unnecessary risk

Of course it is at some level, as is every form of transportation. You always have the option to sit at home on your couch and do nothing. You don’t HAVE to ride a two wheeled vehicle of any type. However, that is not the question here………you missed the point. The question is one of risk mitigation when it is easy and sensible to do so.

That said, the only reason I would opt for elimination of the helmet law is because I fear that someone (a politician) could someday determine that my dirt riding entails an unacceptable level (to them) of unnecessary risk. I really struggle with this as I know more people are going to die as a result of riding without a helmet. Life is precious but I guess that freedom is precious too.

hopefully you know him well enough to call him coocoo so no one gets offended

No, he doesn’t


Mike…….dog-gone-it……..I’ve changed my mind. EVERYONE PUT YOUR HELMETS BACK ON! ;)
 
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