macrev (12/12/82)
I've never ridden my bike outside of New Jersey, so I've never given the mandatory helmet law much thought (we have one). After riding with a helmet for all these years, I don't think that if I were riding in a state that didn't require them, I would leave it hanging on the sissy bar. It's sort of like a seat belt, I imagine -- If I were to stop wearing a helmet, I would feel naked and uncomfortable. Now I'm considering a long trip through a lot of states, and I'm curious -- anybody know how many states have a mandatory helmet law? Where can I get a list of them? Mike Lynch BTL Short Hills, NJ mhuxi!macrev
mes (12/13/82)
#R:mhuxi:-3700:zeppo:6700007:000:1063
zeppo!mes Dec 13 09:16:00 1982
I was unaware at first, but evidently Conneticut does not have a
helmet law. I was literally amazed to see some person on a 750-4
Honda in Winsted without a helmet!!! At first, the idea reallly
turned me off... I though that he must be crazy or something. However,
on reflection, I began to think that that reaction may have been
totally due to my having never seen a hellmetless rider before.
So, later that day, I tried "leaving it tied to the sissy bar"....and
I absolutely hated it!!! Perhaps helmets are not 100% effective,
and perhaps they should be mandatory or not, but whatever the case,
I felt very naked without it. Even if it is just a pacifier, or comforter,
and has no practical value whatsoever, (absolutely no flames, please -
this article has nothing to do with helmet effectiveness) obviously, it
makes me feel better, or safer, or something. Maybe that's my brainwashing
by the state of NJ showing through, but for the rest of that and
succeeding trips I used and will use my helmet every time.
Michael Sajor, BTL-WH, zeppo!mesgordon (12/13/82)
#R:mhuxi:-3700:uiucdcs:8800005:000:538 uiucdcs!gordon Dec 13 11:31:00 1982 When I had a similar question I tried the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Unfortunately ( and surprisingly), I never received a response. I would still give them a try. Motorcycle Safety Foundation P.O. BOX 120 Chadds Ford PA 19317 (215) 388-1555 A phone call may give you the best results. The other place I would try (and I am told this is your best bet) is the American Motorcycle Association in Westerville, OH. They are active in (defeating) helmet law legislation and will have an up to date list. Rob Gordon uiucdcs!gordon
hsc (12/14/82)
Mike raises a peripheral point that's worth mentioning: Never ride with a helmet hung on the sissy bar as though the bar were a head - the metal bar will sack the crushable liner in the helmet, making it unsafe. Harvey S. Cohen BTL-LZ1C314 (201)576-6059 houxn!hsc