Its a pleasure to ride a Motorcycle all out in the open? Helmets do interfere with the enjoyment of the activity! Why Can't we cancel the law that makes wearing of helmets by motorcyclists compulsory?

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• I rode a motorcycle without a helmet and it was a very pleasureable experience, gtravels.
  The points you make in your answer are very valid, though.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

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• Its a joy to ride a motorbike without a helmet, scubaduab. +6.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

• Let's hear it for Indiana!

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  by palmagma on November 10th, 2009

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• I was riding a motorcycle yesterday without a helmet. It was pure joy, Sid. +6.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

• But a windshield is not such a bad idea.

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  by palmagma on November 10th, 2009

• I actually prefer motorbikes without them, the only problem being hitting insects with your face repeatedly.....

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  by Sid on November 10th, 2009

• splat!! - exactly!

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  by palmagma on November 10th, 2009

• The insect problem is usually in the evening just as the sun sets and we turn on the headlights. During the day there wouldn't be any insects, from my experience.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

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• great answer +6

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  by Evil Pregnant Master on November 10th, 2009

• Your exageration is true, of course. But the joy of riding is somewhat reduced when wearing a helmet, warex.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

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• I must agree with you, randomness.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

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• You are right, Gene. +6.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

• @GeneH - I would agree IF AND ONLY IF a motorcyclist can prove that he/she has sufficient insurance to cover ALL of the costs of any potential brain-splattering accident he/she may have.
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  That includes ambulance service, police time, EMT time, road cleanup costs, time lost by other drivers because brains had to be scraped off the road, ICU and rehabilitation costs because the cyclist ended up a vegetable instead of dieing outright, etc., etc., etc.
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  Otherwise, society has an interest in making sure ALL vehicles on the road meet some minimum safety criteria.
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  In the case of motorcycles, wearing a helmet is the single biggest thing that can be done to improve rider safety.

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  by Old School on November 17th, 2009

• Wow. Insurance is every where. Does that mean that people who jog should pay for more insurance, too, because they don't wear football uniforms in case they run into each other. Man, people are money oriented beyond belief. "You what? You went to a disco? Well, you're off of my insurance, kid. You know what those lights can do to your eyes?"

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  by Gene H on November 18th, 2009

• @GeneH - You scoff, but not wearing a motorcycle helmet is a classic case of Privatize The Benefits (your increased riding pleasure), Socialize The Costs (everyone else who has to pay with money or inconvenience when you spill your brains on the road).
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  If you wish to find some private venue to ride around wearing nothing excepet butt-less chaps and a clown nose, I fully support your freedom to do that.
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  But if you want to ride on a PUBLIC road, where the risks and the potential costs are not entirely under your control, then you (and everyone else) need to follow some basic common rules.

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  by Old School on November 18th, 2009

• Oh dear me....butt-less chaps and a clown nose! You do have a way with words my friend! :)

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  by RosieGHM Jetpacker on November 18th, 2009

• Old School -- insurance companies shouldn't be our gods. Seems to me cracking down on drunks, texters, cell-phone users, and so forth would be far better than stifling motorcycle riders.
  The bike people are already greener than the rest of us and always have been. Fair trade if you ask me.

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  by Gene H on November 18th, 2009

• @Gene H - If you are willing to frame the debate over helmet laws in terms of "Are the benefits of helmet laws a reasonable trade-off for the costs?", then we've made progress and I'm willing to discuss all kinds of options.
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  However, most anti-helmet-law advocates frame the discussion as 'freedom' vs. 'oppressive government intrusion in our lives', which I think is nonsense.
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  The government requires ALL vehicles to drive on the right (in the US), stop at stop signs, obey speed limits, be covered by liability insurance, etc. I see helmet laws as being just another example of this.

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  by Old School on November 18th, 2009

• Hey, everybody! Look at that guy over there! Doing something stupid! Kill him! He might cost us some money!

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  by Gene H on November 18th, 2009

• @Gene H - Perhaps you took the word "costs" a bit too literally.
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  For example, we *could* repeal the law that says all vehicles have to stop at stop signs. But the resulting chaos would have 'costs' in terms of injuries/deaths, traffic chaos, debris and fluids littering the streets, pedestrians unable to cross streets, etc. as well as monetary costs.
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  I think you can see where requiring all vehicles to stop at stop signs is a law whose benefits clearly outweigh any objections.
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  My personal opinion is that motorcycle helmet laws meet this test. Clearly you disagree.
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  But I think a discussion in a cost-benefit frame makes FAR more sense than a 'freedom' vs. 'government intrusion' frame.

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  by Old School on November 18th, 2009

• You've convinced me. They should wear helmets. It feels GOOD to tell people what to do!

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  by Gene H on November 18th, 2009

• @Gene H -- OK, your last two comments have been 'off the reservation' rants with essentially no substance. I think were done here.

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  by Old School on November 18th, 2009

• No no no. I'm with you. You're right! Why just yesterday afternoon I sent two tricycle-riding kids home to get knee pads. I chewed out a guy for wearing sandals and almost got in a fight with a woman for not covering a sneeze. I feel GREAT this morning!

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  by Gene H on November 19th, 2009

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• Great answer and great image to support it. Thank you, OS.
  I don't do it on a regular basis. Only when I am not riding on a public road and when I am totally sure it is safe. +6.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 18th, 2009

• So, OS government intervening or encroaching upon a citizen's rights is okay in some circumstances, even though it curtails freedom to ride bareheaded? :) How would a Libertarian view that? What about seatbelts? That's also okey dokey, right? Infringes on the freedom to be unbuckled though! :) Are some slopes slipperyer than others? :)

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  by RosieGHM Jetpacker on November 18th, 2009

• @RosieG - Five-Time Losers....er, Objectivist/Libertarians excel at ignoring the full costs of policies they advocate in the name of "freedom".
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  I expound upon this topic further here:
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  http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/8243758

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  by Old School on November 18th, 2009

• Thank you my friend. As usual you provide a link for further discussion! :)

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  by RosieGHM Jetpacker on November 18th, 2009

• Read it. Phunnee hunnee! :) Butt-less chaps and a clown nose! Let's see..whose appearance would that improve d'ya think? Rushbaugh maybe? :)

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  by RosieGHM Jetpacker on November 18th, 2009

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• Very true. Helmets do save lives. Thanks for sharing, Vunessuh. +6.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 18th, 2009

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• I think its a lot more enjoyable riding a bike without a helmet. But what you say is true in case an accident happens, Lone Wolf. +6.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

• My guess is that most bikers die of old age.

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  by palmagma on November 10th, 2009

• Suby: I don't really ride motorcycles anymore so..that was the mom in me talking. lol
  palagma: My son in law is a Sheriff so I have taken to reading the press releases which include the corners reports. Six young men died this last two weeks alone, so the mom in me just has to speak up. Sorry.
  you both enjoy, but be careful,please.....lol

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  by Anonymous on November 11th, 2009

• I promise not to ride mobikes on public roads without a helmet and get caught by the cops, Lone Wolf.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 18th, 2009

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• The way you look at the topic is unique, Tom.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

• (lol) Biker's were noted for giving their bodies to science in case of death. A little known fact. Biker clubs are actually into many kinds of charities as well. Maybe it's a way of eliminating the "Hell's Angels image". There is a group around here who volunteer to deliver "meals on wheels" to elderly people on the program. Some also give programs and lectures to high school kids on biking safety and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

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  by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on November 10th, 2009

• I wasn't aware of these facts, Tom. Thanks for telling me.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 11th, 2009

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• I rode a mobike without a helmet yesterday and found it a very enjoyable experience, JPB.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

• I'm sure it is nice, but I would just feel like I was tempting fate by not at least trying to be adequately protected.

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  by Over and Out on November 10th, 2009

• True. We can't predict when an accident can happen on a two wheeler.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

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• lol. Nice way of looking at it, palmagma. +6.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

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• Usually the helmets get smashed saving the head. Thanks for sharing your experience, Daniel. +6.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

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• We must forgo the joy for the sake of our life. You are right, Angel.

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  by Suby the Coat on November 10th, 2009

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