snow_monkey
New member
What he said! Snowmobile air bags sound like a good idea!
Helmet Laws
- Thread starter polarisrider1
- Start date
What he said! Snowmobile air bags sound like a good idea!
Really? It only impacts one person? Do you think the wife and the toddler that will never meet his/her daddy aren't affected by the selfish decision NOT to use common sense and protect yourself? THAT'S why there are laws being introduced into society. It's not to take "your freedom of choice" away, it's because our society can't make the RIGHT choices in life.
windingtrailgal
Active member
xgl - I had a mom here in the town I live tell me once "Well, that's why the government has to make laws - because people don't always know what's best for themselves."
"it's because our society can't make the RIGHT choices in life." - Our society is comprised of individual PEOPLE. There is no collective "our society."
I'm not arguing that this is a terrible loss for this young man's family, a terrible loss to PR1 who viewed the young man as part of his family and for all of the people that knew and loved him.
But the government is comprised of PEOPLE...just regular old PEOPLE...and who are those PEOPLE to dictate to this young man or anyone else what is in their best interest for themselves?
One of my dearest friends died in a motorcycle accident - 8 years Mem Day weekend - I'm tearing up with my good thoughts of her and the fact that she never saw 34 and that I've done so many cool things since she died that I didn't get to share with her. That I can't remember little things anymore of some of the funniest best times I had with her. She HAD her helmet on and is still gone. Should the government legislate deer's rights? Because that's what ran out into the road at 1:55 in the afternoon. Should they mandate that you should only ride in areas that are designated deer free? Should one be allowed to ride a motorcycle at all - since we all know the dangers? Should one be allowed to ride a snowmobile because we all know the dangers?
Who is going to DICTATE to us all what the "right choices" are? Many would think I've been risking the lives of my children by taking them snowmobiling with me since before they had a choice. Many would think that I am endangering their lives as well as my own by taking such an unnecessary risk. Why ride a motorcyle AT ALL??
"it's because our society can't make the RIGHT choices in life." - Our society is comprised of individual PEOPLE. There is no collective "our society."
I'm not arguing that this is a terrible loss for this young man's family, a terrible loss to PR1 who viewed the young man as part of his family and for all of the people that knew and loved him.
But the government is comprised of PEOPLE...just regular old PEOPLE...and who are those PEOPLE to dictate to this young man or anyone else what is in their best interest for themselves?
One of my dearest friends died in a motorcycle accident - 8 years Mem Day weekend - I'm tearing up with my good thoughts of her and the fact that she never saw 34 and that I've done so many cool things since she died that I didn't get to share with her. That I can't remember little things anymore of some of the funniest best times I had with her. She HAD her helmet on and is still gone. Should the government legislate deer's rights? Because that's what ran out into the road at 1:55 in the afternoon. Should they mandate that you should only ride in areas that are designated deer free? Should one be allowed to ride a motorcycle at all - since we all know the dangers? Should one be allowed to ride a snowmobile because we all know the dangers?
Who is going to DICTATE to us all what the "right choices" are? Many would think I've been risking the lives of my children by taking them snowmobiling with me since before they had a choice. Many would think that I am endangering their lives as well as my own by taking such an unnecessary risk. Why ride a motorcyle AT ALL??
michaeladams
New member
i think it is far to dangerous to leave the house.we should have to get a permit to go outside.wait, it's far to dangerous in my house.shoot, now what people? i guess it's a padded room for us all.
windingtrailgal
Active member
but what if the padding was made in China and has some dangerous chemical residue on it? Crap...now the padded room is even out!!!
michaeladams
New member
i need a ride home,too scared to drive.should i where a helmet and a seatbelt or just a helmet.or just a seatbelt.i think i need to hire a lawer to be my copilot in life.it's just about that bad when you go hunting or fishing in wisconsin.just sayin'.all this control is just plain goofy
700classic
New member
You'll be okay, just put your seat belt over your helmet!
anonomoose
New member
While the first thing most think about here is an individual right, the intent of the helmet law is to try and keep the cost of those injured in an accident from going to the stratosphere.
Clearly most folks know that you can't protect anyone going 60 mph that hits an 18 wheeler trying to pass by some ducks crossing the road....but if it can help to keep the slow speed accidents from being brain injuries, then it is worth it.
Seat belts are the same thing....
Personally I had a friend who rode bike for 20 years maybe more and was a junior high counselor...nice guy, educated, owned about 4 bikes. About 10 years ago, he got on his bike and started it up after winter storage, and took it down to the corner store. Yep, he didn't bother with the helmet since it was just in the sub and he was just get'n the bike out.....he left a wife and 4 teen boys to handle the rest of their lives without him. Slow speed crash, head to the curb....time to pick out a casket.
I have no problem with someone who wants to ride naked....that's up to them...but they should sign a waver of all medical rights...all ability to sue, all rights to anything from the government if they don't do the job right and become a vegetable. Then have at it....but of course they don't want to do that, and then when they do become a mess on the road, they are right there with their hands out trying to cost ME more money in my insurance that must cover them regardless of how stupid they might be.
So unless and until folks who want to shoot themselves in the head want to write that disclaimer, and ride out of this world on a roman candle, then suck it up...complain all you want to and remember that it is the law even if they are too stupid to understand it.
BTW when I see these pinheads riding around with that scull cap that protects like a bikini protects from a sunburn, I figure that you might as well just put a big blinking sign over their heads that says...."look how stupid I am.....can you top this?" Frankly, I can't.
Clearly most folks know that you can't protect anyone going 60 mph that hits an 18 wheeler trying to pass by some ducks crossing the road....but if it can help to keep the slow speed accidents from being brain injuries, then it is worth it.
Seat belts are the same thing....
Personally I had a friend who rode bike for 20 years maybe more and was a junior high counselor...nice guy, educated, owned about 4 bikes. About 10 years ago, he got on his bike and started it up after winter storage, and took it down to the corner store. Yep, he didn't bother with the helmet since it was just in the sub and he was just get'n the bike out.....he left a wife and 4 teen boys to handle the rest of their lives without him. Slow speed crash, head to the curb....time to pick out a casket.
I have no problem with someone who wants to ride naked....that's up to them...but they should sign a waver of all medical rights...all ability to sue, all rights to anything from the government if they don't do the job right and become a vegetable. Then have at it....but of course they don't want to do that, and then when they do become a mess on the road, they are right there with their hands out trying to cost ME more money in my insurance that must cover them regardless of how stupid they might be.
So unless and until folks who want to shoot themselves in the head want to write that disclaimer, and ride out of this world on a roman candle, then suck it up...complain all you want to and remember that it is the law even if they are too stupid to understand it.
BTW when I see these pinheads riding around with that scull cap that protects like a bikini protects from a sunburn, I figure that you might as well just put a big blinking sign over their heads that says...."look how stupid I am.....can you top this?" Frankly, I can't.
xgl- that is a horrible reason. Using your logic- If we, as a society, can't make the RIGHT decision- then gov't should be making the decisions for us. Scary!! As you yourself stated, seems crazy not to protect yourself. Exactly- so why do we need a LAW for it? I feel horrible for the wife and child. For any spouse, parent, sibling, friend, etc who has lost someone. But it still boils down to that person's decision. It was a poor decision. And one that he paid the ultimate price for. And one that his family will have to suffer the consequences of. But the same can be said for a zillion things in life that are dangerous. Why are cigarettes still legal when they are a known carcinogen? Since people can't make the RIGHT choice to not smoke, or quite smoking- should that be a law as well? Heart disease is a top killer in this country, that in some cases, is caused by obesity. So- why are fast food joints still legal? Should the gov't regulate how much and what we can and can't eat to prevent us from makign poor choices there as well? Of course not- that's just ridiculous. 20 yrs ago, there were no seat belt laws. Now there are. As I said, slippery slope. Who knows what's next.
I'm not a 'don't tread on me', 'f the gov't' person either-but I still believe these particular items- helmets & seat belts- protect one individual. And if that individual wants to protect themself, great. If they don't- then they should be allowed to take that chance without paying a penalty to our gov't.
I'm not a 'don't tread on me', 'f the gov't' person either-but I still believe these particular items- helmets & seat belts- protect one individual. And if that individual wants to protect themself, great. If they don't- then they should be allowed to take that chance without paying a penalty to our gov't.
windingtrailgal
Active member
Last edited:
windingtrailgal
Active member
Russ, I may appear to be a kind, benevolent dictator...but the power would go to my head and it would corrupt me...I can see it now!!! 
All of those stupid people out there that I would have to stop? cure? institutionalize? What would I DO with all of them?? And I don't think folks would take too kindly to my defitition of stupid!! They might dare to call ME stupid and that would hurt my feelings too much!
All of those stupid people out there that I would have to stop? cure? institutionalize? What would I DO with all of them?? And I don't think folks would take too kindly to my defitition of stupid!! They might dare to call ME stupid and that would hurt my feelings too much! I feel a motorcyclist should have the choice to choose if they wear a helmet or not, if they choose not to, that's the risk they take.
As a motorcyclist, I have occasionally ridden w/o a helmet, which usually is only around my neighborhood but going to work or a ride, I'll gear up to include a riding jacket & pants, gloves, as well as a full-face helmet.
In the (very) few times that I rode at highway speeds w/o a helmet, I disliked the wind noise and have you ever had a bug hit you in the forehead-kind of stings. How about those guys who ride all day in the sun and have "coon eyes"!! Real cool.
Was riding with a friend a few years back and he missed a corner on a country road, only going 30-35 at the time, had some serious internal injuries & fractured wrist, but his helmet did its job and protected his head-he struck a 4x4 sign post and into some brush & small trees. Luckily we were able to get him airlifted and to a hospital.
Not sure about any of you, but I'd like to minimize the possibility of having any road rash if involved in an accident. A few comments that I recall is "sweat washes", and another, "If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet!" I always laugh when a guy says it's too hot to wear a helmet or it obstructs their vision-b.s.
See this video that was posted in the other thread "wood"? Should make a cyclist think twice about going w/o a helmet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOhgMAOrp0c
And then there is the problem with all of the distracted drivers-texting, web surfing, etc., etc.
As a motorcyclist, I have occasionally ridden w/o a helmet, which usually is only around my neighborhood but going to work or a ride, I'll gear up to include a riding jacket & pants, gloves, as well as a full-face helmet.
In the (very) few times that I rode at highway speeds w/o a helmet, I disliked the wind noise and have you ever had a bug hit you in the forehead-kind of stings. How about those guys who ride all day in the sun and have "coon eyes"!! Real cool.
Was riding with a friend a few years back and he missed a corner on a country road, only going 30-35 at the time, had some serious internal injuries & fractured wrist, but his helmet did its job and protected his head-he struck a 4x4 sign post and into some brush & small trees. Luckily we were able to get him airlifted and to a hospital.
Not sure about any of you, but I'd like to minimize the possibility of having any road rash if involved in an accident. A few comments that I recall is "sweat washes", and another, "If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet!" I always laugh when a guy says it's too hot to wear a helmet or it obstructs their vision-b.s.
See this video that was posted in the other thread "wood"? Should make a cyclist think twice about going w/o a helmet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOhgMAOrp0c
And then there is the problem with all of the distracted drivers-texting, web surfing, etc., etc.
eagle1
Well-known member
Uhh, wouldn't it be safer if we wore a helmet even in a vehicle? I'm just sayin.
To each there own but if you have loved ones it should be a no brainer.
Personally I wouldn't even ride a bike with a helmet, the way idiots drive nowadays scares me even in my vehicle. I feel safer fly past trees at a 90 on my sled.
To each there own but if you have loved ones it should be a no brainer.
Personally I wouldn't even ride a bike with a helmet, the way idiots drive nowadays scares me even in my vehicle. I feel safer fly past trees at a 90 on my sled.
polarisrider1
New member
Good point.
purproadking
New member
i think maybe we should outlaw soccer moms in minivans with kids in the car or teenage girls in a car with another girl texting, because as an avid bike rider they are the most dangerous things on the road, but it is still up to me to decide if i want to wear a helmet or not. any time you put your leg over a bike you take your life into your hand, its not the safest form of transportation, but its your choice. chances are if your ride a bike you own a car, if your worried about it drive your car.