Main difference is that in racing everyone's going the same way on the same course at about the same speed. Plus they're focused upon driving.
Not so on the road.
So are you saying it is safer? So they should be wearing Reebok Wheelie Slippers and tee shirts at the race track? Drag racers wear full suits, etc., only 2 on the track going in the same direction, about the same speed.
Herein lies the argumentative conversation. Here it comes !!
With all the gear, the AMA and riders still decided to not race at Loudon, NH. Too dangerous. No run off. NASCAR walls. etc.
If bicyclists should wear helmets, should not motorcyclists?
If you take a rider safety course, your insurance company gives you a discount. Funny, they don't give discounts for wearing helmets..... Bad actuaries.....
So what is the threshold of when your head hits something and you get a concussion? I don't think pro football players should wear helmets either. You know, since they have been wearing better helmets, they use their heads as tackling equipment resulting in some really bad result.
It's all crazy.
I don't know about yous guys, but, I'll be wearing my stuff.
Happy trails !! Be safe !!
2 week ago i riped of with the Ural's left back flasher the bumper of a Nissan Xtrail. that was the 3 contact to another vehicle in 32 years bike riding. and perhaps the 8th ocassion I had a misshap on a bike.So should I think about not to use protection gear? I don't think so. I prefer to sweat under my back protector and heavy gear just for in case. The 2 occasions the sline protector in 28 years wearing it. were well paid off and I am glad not to ride in a wheel chair...
Someone once offered me his fists to pass through my face because in town I asked him to use a helmet. I still think he was the dummy not me.
We see here in Costa Rica at least once a week some young show off going 2 yards under ground because of stupidities. Sadly there is not any medicine available against stupidity.
Simple plain fact.
Sven
Im an old school biker, been riding since the early fifties, we never used to wear helmets, but in 1994 I had a wreck in the mountains north of Ojai, Ca. Thank God I had a helmet on, went flying off the side of the road, and landed on my left side and noggin, the helmet was cracked but no head damage, just broken ribs, broken collar bone, and a broken knee, am now wearing a helmet everytime I throw a leg over. I am now riding a VStar 1100 with a california Hack
I had an accident in October, 2013. I was riding my ATV, when suddenly I blacked out and fell off onto the rocky dirt road. My pant leg caught on my foot peg and I was drug 10 ft, all the while my head was bouncing along on the rocks. I suffered a concussion, but if I had not had a helmet on, I most likely would have suffered brain damage, or death. I never ride my motorcycle or my ATV without a helmet.
I've been riding since the mid "60's". I heard and read, hundreds of thoughts regarding the wearing, and not wearing, of helmets. I've lived in states where helmets were mandatory and in states where they were optional. Personally, I choose and require my passengers to, wear helmets. I don't have the luxury of my hair blowing in the breeze. It's long gone. But, I do have the right to make a choice. My choice. Let common sense prevail so that we don't have states legislating what we should, or should not, wear. Drive smart!! Ride smart!!
I've been riding since the mid "60's". I heard and read, hundreds of thoughts regarding the wearing, and not wearing, of helmets. I've lived in states where helmets were mandatory and in states where they were optional. Personally, I choose and require my passengers to, wear helmets. I don't have the luxury of my hair blowing in the breeze. It's long gone. But, I do have the right to make a choice. My choice. Let common sense prevail so that we don't have states legislating what we should, or should not, wear. Drive smart!! Ride smart!!
the horror stories go on & on...
& the individual's rights arguments are close on their heels
in TEXAS, the option, i believe, comes w/ a proviso
that proviso requires an increased amount of insurance, allegedly, to cover the care for the rider(s) who chose not to wear proper/protective head gear
the above comment about the issue being about money is, probably, the real basis for the laws and not any concern for the welfare of the individual and, certainly, not any wish, by government, to manage/control/restrict individual's rights
SIMPLE ECONOMICS
the less the government has to pay for the care of an accident victim, the less the rest of us have to pay in taxes
SIMPLE ECONOMICS
just this old man's opinion
sw
SW, you hit the nail right on the head!
I agree Steve. It's always about the "doe rae me"!
It seems like a long time ago that I worked for a larger shipping company. (Damn, it was!) As drivers, we were trained to drive safely and responsibly. They had a formula for success that went something like this: 1. Keep your eyes moving. 2. Get the big picture. 3. Make sure THEY see you. 4. Always leave yourself an out. 5. Aim high in steering. To review their formula for driving success, I will go over them, one by one. 1>Keep your eyes moving-Don't stare or focus on one thing. Accidents can happen pretty fast if you don't already know this. 2>Get the big picture-What's going on in front of you, behind you and to either side. 3>Make sure that they see you-Are you wearing reflective clothing. Are your lights on and do they work properly. Use your horn to get their attention. How about eye contact with the driver of that vehicle that wants to pull out in your lane. 4>Leave yourself an out-Did you leave yourself plenty of room to change lanes quickly. It you best bud riding up next to you so that you can't move safely. Are you tail gaiting? (I need a skull and crossbones for that one.) 5>Aim high in steering-Don't look at the road 100' in front of you. Look hundreds of yards ahead and you will find it easier to steer and keep yourself safely in your lane.
"Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out the window."
Baluner1 - 5/13/2014 11:04 AM
I agree Steve. It's always about the "doe rae me"!
It seems like a long time ago that I worked for a larger shipping company. (Damn, it was!) As drivers, we were trained to drive safely and responsibly. They had a formula for success that went something like this: 1. Keep your eyes moving. 2. Get the big picture. 3. Make sure THEY see you. 4. Always leave yourself an out. 5. Aim high in steering. To review their formula for driving success, I will go over them, one by one. 1>Keep your eyes moving-Don't stare or focus on one thing. Accidents can happen pretty fast if you don't already know this. 2>Get the big picture-What's going on in front of you, behind you and to either side. 3>Make sure that they see you-Are you wearing reflective clothing. Are your lights on and do they work properly. Use your horn to get their attention. How about eye contact with the driver of that vehicle that wants to pull out in your lane. 4>Leave yourself an out-Did you leave yourself plenty of room to change lanes quickly. It you best bud riding up next to you so that you can't move safely. Are you tail gaiting? (I need a skull and crossbones for that one.) 5>Aim high in steering-Don't look at the road 100' in front of you. Look hundreds of yards ahead and you will find it easier to steer and keep yourself safely in your lane."Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out the window."
not at all different from what i used to teach in DRIVER'S ED, here in TEXAS
always good to have a REMINDER/REFRESHER
thx
sw
At one time I worked in Lewiston, ID and lived in Clarkston, WA. Washington required Helmets and Idaho did not. Both states still follow the same rules. At least once a month one of my coworkers who lived in Idaho would start the argument over me being forced to wear a helmet. He insisted he had his rights. A minor car motorcycle accident left Steve's widow holding onto two small children. The last thing I said to Steve as they lowered him down was "No one is going to make you wear that helmet now".
