Motorcycling: helmet or no?

[bgeno]

Two years ago, a law passed in Pennsylvania stating that motorcycle drivers were not required to wear helmets when operating their vehicles.

Since then, however, head injuries and medical costs resulting from motorcycle accidents have gone up.

Some state legislators are wanting to bring back the helmet law.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_572556.html

What do you guys think? I'm curious.

Are there any bikers out there? Do you wear a helmet? Why or why not?
If you're not a biker, would you? Why or why not?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

It only makes since to wear a helmet when you're on a bike since there's nothing that will protect in a crash other than a helmet. Even if you do feel safe when you're riding one and have a ton of confidence in you're motorcycle handling, I would still wear one simply because there are A LOT of horrible drivers behind the wheel of a car.

[slickdtc]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

Eh, I say let them do what they want. But don't cry when you bash your head on the pavement either.

[SPTO]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

Common sense says you should wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. I mean look at what happened to Big Ben. The man almost died in the middle of the street fer cryin' out loud!

That being said when I ride a bike I don't wear a helmet.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

Common sense says you should wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. I mean look at what happened to Big Ben. The man almost died in the middle of the street fer cryin' out loud!

That being said when I ride a bike I don't wear a helmet.

LOL, that's about it... everyone knows that it's the only barrier between your head and splatter, but they don't bother to wear them. My dad's ridden motorcycles for 40 years and never wore a helmet unless he had to (Missouri had a helmet law I believe, Colorado doesn't). I wear my helmet on my scooter pretty much all the time just because people on the road are so stupid and unpredictable... you never know when you'll need it.

But yeah, I think this is a personal decision basically. If they can show that it's a danger to others for these guys not to wear helmets (like how seatbelts keep people from flying out of the car into other people, etc.), then the law would make more sense.

[SPTO]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

BTW when I said bike I mean bicycle. I'd be foolish to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. Just clearing that up.

[bgeno]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

BTW when I said bike I mean bicycle. I'd be foolish to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. Just clearing that up.

hahaha... it definitely seemed like you meant motorcycle at first.


My step-dad has been riding a motorcycle here in PA for about 5 years. He used to be forced to wear the helmet when we had a helmet law.

Now that the helmet law is gone, he still wears it. I don't know if he's ever failed to wear a helmet.

He's even got three different helmets: a full face, 3/4 helmet, and a half helmet.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

Yeah, I think it's the same (or even worse because a lot of people have this hate for cyclists) with bicycles though.. people know what's good for them and just do whatever they want anyway.. hah. Bikes are lower speed, but there's also less metal to protect you from impact, you're less visible, and people always treat you like **** because you don't have an engine.

On my scooter, I make sure to always ride right in the middle of the lane so people don't get any ideas about blowing past me in the same lane, etc. I've had a few close calls where people turned without seeing me or didn't use their blinkers and cut me off, but nothing "tire-screeching" or anything. You really do have to be really aware of everything around you when you're on a bike/motorcycle. Sometimes having a helmet on makes you not hear or see quite as well, so I can understand that reasoning for not wearing them -- you might be safer just because you can hear everything coming.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

I agree its all personal decision, but if I hit a biker and the guy dies because he wasn't wearing a helment, I wouldn't want to live with that for the rest of my life even thought it wasn't my fault.

[bgeno]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

You really do have to be really aware of everything around you when you're on a bike/motorcycle. Sometimes having a helmet on makes you not hear or see quite as well, so I can understand that reasoning for not wearing them -- you might be safer just because you can hear everything coming.

Can't you just get a half helmet that doesn't cover your ears or go near your eyes?

[fishepa]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

It's a law that you have to wear a helmet in the state of Alabama.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

Yeah you can get a smaller helmet, but those don't provide the same kind of protection. My scooter helmet covers my whole head but instead of a closed face, it's open with a shield that goes down to my chin. I notice a difference in how well I hear with it off, but it doesn't impede my vision at all (it actually helps because of the tinted visor).

The full-face helmets are the best idea, especially if you're going to be going over 40 MPH. If I slammed into the back of some car, my face would probably take a good amount of damage... but I'm generally very careful and aware when I'm riding, so I'll take my chances I guess. If I got a real motorcycle (which I plan to at some point), I'll definitely wear a full-face helmet at basically all times.

[Brandon13]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

You don't have to wear a helmet in Florida which doesn't make much sense because you have to wear a seatbelt. I don't think there should be laws for either one but I always wear my seatbelt and if I had a motorcycle I'd always wear a helmet.

[bgeno]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

You don't have to wear a helmet in Florida which doesn't make much sense because you have to wear a seatbelt. I don't think there should be laws for either one but I always wear my seatbelt and if I had a motorcycle I'd always wear a helmet.

Why don't you feel there should be laws for either one? Especially the seat belt one.

[HungryBologna]

Re: Motorcycling: helmet or no?

Why don't you feel there should be laws for either one? Especially the seat belt one.

Because it should be your choice even though it's a stupid one not to wear one. It infringes your civil liberties.