ALT-1 Motorcyclists should always Wear Helmets – Agree
Whether or not to wear a helmet has never been about laws governing their wear. Most riders will obey the law if one exists.
The basic debate stems from a person's individual right to choose for themselves.
And therefore, people on one side feel there should be no laws dictating helmet wear. Laws take their choice away.
This set also knows there are many statistics showing people die during a myriad of other activities, even more so than while riding motorcycles. They also know that statistics do not link motorcycle deaths to the helmet/no helmet debate. Motorcyclists die of other internal injuries more often - not just head injuries.
It really is a right of choice to wear a brain bucket or not. Take that choice away, and people will always be offended by being told what to do.
Both sides in such a debate need to be understood. That was the "right to choose" side.
Now comes the common sense approach; the well-informed and guided approach.
I've always been a proponent of wearing a proper "set" of protective equipment while riding a motorcycle. Not just a helmet.
After spending 27 years in the military, I have learned that it is best to follow rules and regulations, and in the Army, they really pile them on you.
They especially are very strict when it comes to mandatory motorcycle rider gear.
Of course, Soldiers are a valuable military asset, so a helmet certainly is the number one item on the list. Other items include eye protection; long sleeves; full-fingered gloves; long pants; over-the-ankle boots; and a reflective vest so the Soldier is seen better by other motorists, or "cagers," as biker like to call them. All of these items are basic protective gear.
Even in helmet less states, military folks are required to wear these items both on and away from the military base, and even while off duty. They also wear them, for the most part, because Uncle Sugar won't pay out on the Service members Group Life Insurance Policy if a service member is injured seriously and can no longer work, or are killed.
Even after leaving the military, I still wear all the gear. I guess I could say it has been instilled in me, but I also feel I am experienced and informed about motorcycle riding safety gear.
Living in Southern Florida also has a tendency to show in-your-face proof that a helmet is the best way to go. We ride all year round in Florida, and many vacationers from the northern states arrive during the November through February time frame who aren't used to seeing motorcycles on the road. So, with the northern vacationers comes an increase in motorcycle accidents.
In Florida, we also have a large population of new riders, owning their bikes less than one year with absolutely no riding experience. Feeling the wind in their hair and being on the open road is a great sensation to them, I am sure. It's this lack of riding experience and ability to even properly negotiate an uphill stop sign that begs for - to some degree - a little more than a casual decision whether or not to ride lid-less.
I would never take away someone's right to choose to wear or not wear a helmet. But at the same time, I have always felt it is my duty to inform my fellow bikers of the risks they face while not wearing a helmet.
Having seen more than my share of motorcycle accidents both in-the-making, and after-the-fact, I can bear witness that accident time is too late to carry on a debate whether or not to wear a helmet.
