While I wear my helmet, I have to say that I appreciate the fact that people are given a chance to choose what to do. The US was founded on a statement of choice. All too often in the name of safety, or good morals, or whathaveye, laws are placed into effect that basically ultimately become a source of revenue for the government in question. I am not saying its safe to ride without a helmet, but I know people that think because people they know died on motorcycles that they should be illegal completely, my life insurance provider and personal doctor included. I know people that think I shouldnt be able to scuba dive because I could die, and its dangerous.
Its unfortunate that accidents happen, but the vast majority of the fact is that most wrecks are the fault of bad drivers. Even people that shouldnt be licensed at all.
When I got my Motorcycle certification in 2003, while I was at the DMV I saw an older gentleman trying to pass the visual part of the exam where he had to read the eye chart through some glasses. He got it wrong 4 times before the clerk gave him hints and he "passed" and was recertified.
What the heck is that? Then he was sent out to drive home. In a country founded on individual freedoms where more and more people praise the restriction of rights, I applaud the repeal of laws forcing choices upon us. I remember riding between my mom and dad in a truck, standing on the seat with my butt up against the fold down armrest. That was my place to ride most of the time, just like that. If a cop or someone saw that today they would ticket the people, or worse call DCS and have the child taken away from their parents for negligence.
I also remember when all the trucks around here had gun racks in the back and there were GUNS IN THEM. Back then 7-11s didnt get robbed cause there were 5 trucks there with shotguns in the back window, people had to actually consider that there would be consequences to their actions, but I would bet if I went to get a gun rack now and put a gun in it the cops would ride me like a rented mule. Its like a time I carried a firearm openly displayed in a holster to a location in town. People FREAKED, and a LEO tried to seize my weapon when he was called. I informed him it was perfectly legal and if he wanted it I needed to understand the grounds to which he wanted it. After several phone calls and getting mildly irritated he informed me I was correct and he apologized and asked that I take it back home because people were uncomfortable. While I did it, I continue to be amazed at how quickly, freely, and even justify it to themselves people in our country give up their freedoms. I applaud the men and women among us that have served because you have made this country great and allowed for my freedoms which I hold dear and I love greatly!
And if people wanna roll without a helmet, in flip flops, a tank top and some shorts, then ride on. To me with or without a helmet is no different a topic than amsoil versus castrol or Harley versus Can-Am.
Let people be free. Dont just chalk one up to "safety" thinking that it is actually why the government does it. Laws are mostly about money anymore, not about safety. Thinking that the government wants to regulate safety or morality or whatever is crazy.
And before anyone throws a bucket of water on me, Im not hot or mad or soapboxing, just offering a contrasting opinion and some reasoning behind it. Not simply, I <3 WIND IN MAH FACE. Heck with the bugs the way they are, IM ALL ABOUT A HELMET, but I would like the option to get a full gut of bug-fabulous protein by driving with no helmet and mouth open.