Pantagraph.com | Letters | ER experiences reinforce motorcycle-safety views

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Brrm Brrrrmm wrote on Oct 27, 2007 2:16 PM:

" 'Helmet Law', good point. While we're at it, how about making everyone in a car wear a helmet, too? Professional race car drivers wouldn't even consider getting in their race cars without a helmet!! Of the 40,000+ annual deaths in auto accidents, 15,000 or more lives could be saved if all occupants of autos were required by law to wear helmets!! Let's do it! "

Brrm Brrrrmm wrote on Oct 27, 2007 2:09 PM:

" 'ISU Safty Course' says how smart it is to take a motorcycle safety course from ISU. Early last March on a week-end, we were playing golf at the ISU Golf Course when the course's weather sirens sounded, which forced everyone off the course. Back at the club house, they told us that play was suspended due to lightning......it was too dangerous to be out in open areas. So, we waited about a half hour until we realized the course was not going to be open for quite some time that day, if ever. During that half hour before we got in our cars and went home, we saw about a dozen people riding motorcycles on the ISU Motorcycle Safety Course, just west of the golf course. "Safety" course, you gotta to be kidding!!! Guess those instructors didn't want to miss out on making a buck and didn't mind risking the lives of all those student motorcycle riders to do it. "

Medusa wrote on Oct 20, 2007 6:42 PM:

" Where are you "Greed"? A one trck pony?? "

dangerous wrote on Oct 19, 2007 3:02 PM:

" I have had to process too many death certificates which involved a motorcycle crash death. I beg all of the motorcycle owners/operators to be careful....... i respect your right to ride, but it's a very dangerous sport "

Ricky-D wrote on Oct 19, 2007 9:42 AM:

" " The net effect of the wearing of helmets needs to be reexamined in light of the New York analysis. The data from that study do show reduced fatal head injuries associated with helmet-wearing; but the benefits may have been offset by the increased incidence of fatal neck injuries. Further, the results of that study raise the question of net benefit from helmets shown in other studies, which did not analyze for fatal neck injuries in connection with helmet-wearing." Excerpt from a letter written by:John H. Reed Chairman NTSB "

Helmet Law wrote on Oct 18, 2007 3:35 PM:

" It is time for the Governor and Legislature to stop being bullied by The Motorcycle Dealer Lobby. Enact helmet and minimum equipment requirement laws for motorcycles. I have seen old geezers riding their toddler grandkids on motorcycles. (And their mom would get a ticket for not having an approved car seat) The governor and legislature doesn't get their vote, if they bother to vote, anyway. If auto drivers are required to wear seat belts, and strap their passengers in, then common sense dictates bikers, and their passengers, wear helmets and protective clothing. "

Helmethead wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:37 PM:

" Insurance premiums of all types should be raised for helmetless riders. "

A helmet wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:26 PM:

" saved my life back in 1996. To this day I will not get on a motorcycle or bicycle. "

Flaw wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:18 PM:

" The ISU safety course is GREAT! I took it long ago and have been riding for years. The only problem is this: I you take this course, you can go get your liscense. My son has never rode a bike in his life, took the course and went straight to the DMV and got his liscense. He didn't have to ride a motorcycle or anything. Now he can buy a bike and go right out on Veterans and ride. NOT SAFE!!!!!! He has absolutely NO street time on the bike. "

but again wrote on Oct 18, 2007 1:54 PM:

" I don't ride which is my choice so it is not a matter of me not wanting to wear a helmet and yes there are plenty of statistics on this issue involving motorcylce helmets and football helmets. "

Mothman wrote on Oct 18, 2007 12:04 PM:

" All the people talking about "insurance rates need to be higher" for people who don't wear a helmet, need to wake up. Motorcycle insurance would not cover bodily injury to the rider, it would only cover property damage. The riders heath care insurance would cover that...duh! "

Medusa wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:21 AM:

" Greed wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:32 AM: " I am amazed at the antics of seniors chasing their youth with contraptions that require eyesight, reflexes, and balance that have long since left their body. Another thing lacking in them is judgment. Old geezers do not belong on motorcycles! Find yourself a classic car to spend time polishing, you’ll live longer, and your family will suffer less worry. Common sense? " ...Current bikes: Kaw Z1000, Honda GL1800. Age: 73.5. Experience: 60+ years. Vision 20-10 uncorrected, reflexes: top %. "Life is graded on a curve; come ride with the Reaper. "

Medusa wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:16 AM:

" But wrote on Oct 17, 2007 10:58 AM: " What about all the cases where they were wearing a helmet and the base of the helmet snapped their neck? " ...PLEASE cite these cases! "

Saddened wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:11 AM:

" It isn't just college students and young adults, it's every age and every IQ. Even more amazing are the doctors that I've seen without protective gear. I guess we look to them to set examples at times. This would be a good time! "

I Wear A Helmet wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:05 PM:

" TO william who wrote on Oct 17 at 4 36 PM No one wants to live forever, but I would not want to spend the balance of my life with brain damage so that I couldn't be myself. It would be bad enough to spend life totally paralyzed from an accident, but to have my brain injured because I chose not to wear protection, that to me would be hell. I drive a small motorcycle and can go no faster than 35 mph and only drive it in a small town. I value my brain, so that I protect it. "

to helments wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:17 PM:

" you must work for the insurance industry is all i can say.i pay for insurance and may never need it but the day i do they raise the premiun even if its not my fault "

to; Helmets wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:53 PM:

" The reason that insurance rates are not higher for riders without helmets is that the biker's insurance pays for damage to his cycle and to others who may be injured by his negligence. Injury to the biker is typically paid by the other drivers insurance (if they were at fault) or by the biker's group health insurance, or by government financed programs. "

Not invincible wrote on Oct 17, 2007 4:57 PM:

" No one claims that wearing all the safety gear will keep you injury free..but if you increase your chances of survival and/or minimizing any injuries..isn't it worth it? Not just for yourself, but for your family and friends as well. In the end, it's your choice..but know the risks and consequences. "

william wrote on Oct 17, 2007 4:36 PM:

" Who wants to live forever? "

Helmets wrote on Oct 17, 2007 3:29 PM:

" are important in my opinion. However, if motorcyclists want to remove themselves from the gene pool, so be it. Insurance rates are higher for other individuals who choose to participate in high risk activities. If they can raise the rates for smokers, they should be able to raise the rates for motorcyclists that choose not to wear a helmet. They should get a discount (or something) when they sign the policy stating that they will wear a helmet at all times when riding. Then, if they are in an accident where the helmet was not used, the policy would not cover fully or at all. That is freedom of choice. No need for the government to pass laws requiring helmets. "

Evil K. wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:32 PM:

" Anyone who rides a motercycle in this town (helmet or not) has a death wish. "

A.B.A.T.E. wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:13 PM:

" we are a motorcyclist rights org . we do not object to helment use we just HAVE A GREAT RESPECT FOR FREEDOM OF CHOICE . we do not need laws telling us how to dress and what to wear .a law has never prevented a accident from happing and never will prevent accidents .the best way is through education .and yes there have been many deaths from brain stem injuries .bubba shubert a motorcycle racer was killed while wearing a helment and all the required saftey gear. and for the people in the er to call motorcyclist donors they need to stop and consider that its not the whole pic they look at motorcycle related deaths have dropped over the last few years and most of the accidents are caused by the driver of a car truck invading the motorcyclist right of way so people stop driving STUPID .and look for motorcycles we are out there every day of the year almost.and remember the life you save may be mine . "

rider wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:07 PM:

" "Greed" is probably one of the many suv drivers in B/N who think they own the road. They like to ;alk on their cell phone, eat a big mac, yell at the kids to get back in their car seat, while they tailgate and cut people off. It's not the age of the driver/rider it the mental maturity. "

Your choice wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:55 PM:

" A higher insurance premium should be required for riders who choose to ride without a helmet. "

To: But wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:41 PM:

" Can you show me the statistics where the helmet breaks the neck? "

To But wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:38 PM:

" If you don't want to wear a helmet..fine.. just be honest and say you think you look cooler without it instead of falsely justifying it by saying it's unsafe. That's kind of like saying you don't wear a seatbelt because it could take 2 seconds longer to get out of your vehicle if you drove into a lake. "

Listen up Greed~~ wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:33 PM:

" So you don't think senior's should be riding bikes? Well that's too bad, if they enjoy it I say go for it. You can get killed in a car just as easily as you can a bike. Look at all the idiots that are in cars and don't stop at signs and fly through it and T-bone cars and kill the people inside. Most of those are young people. Look at all the idiots talking on the phone while trying to drink a coke, talk, and steer and get into accidents, young people. Next time you see a senior on a bike give them a thumbs up for having the courage to ride with all these crazy people that don't stop at signs. When it's your turn, times up, and it doesn't matter if your tucked in your bed or on a bike. It's over, so have a good time while you are still on this earth and hope God or your guardian angel is next to you guiding your ride. "

ISU safty course wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:22 PM:

" The instructors are great at the motorcycle safety course at Illinois State University. I think the course should be required before a class M license is issued. "

But wrote on Oct 17, 2007 10:58 AM:

" What about all the cases where they were wearing a helmet and the base of the helmet snapped their neck? "

most deaths are wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:06 AM:

" not the younger crowd anymore check the stats .i think that you will find its the older ones that are dying .they are in thier middle age thing and well they get a motorcycle and then they get killed .AND EDUCATION IS THE KEY. the rider corse is a well taught class and i think all who ride should take in no matter how long that you have been riding. "

Majority of Motorcycle Deaths wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:35 AM:

" are not "old geezers" they are young "crotch-rocket" riders. Most "old geezers" are riding BIG bikes with lots of lights and helmets and leathers or ballistic nylon protective gear. All too often, you who make comments such as "Greed" are the ones riding those small, minimum lighted, high power to weight motorcycles up on the rear wheel down hiways and on city streets oblivious to the dangers you pose to yourself and innocent bystanders as you ride with the front brake and steering totally absent from your ability to use them. "

I "Gear UP' wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:30 AM:

" Each and every time I ride, generally always have. AND, this is the USA. We defend people's rights to be stupid. It is a matter of freedom or choice. Police should not be extensions of big insurance companies. If insurance wants to cut down on claims costs, require helmets, long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves to cover claims from accidents. Do not lobby Legislatures for laws to cut down on insurance liabilities. Insurance is who is driving helmet laws, no smoking laws, no firearms laws, no personal freedom/no personal responsibility laws. This is America. No more restrictions on personal freedoms to be stupid laws are needed. "

a reader wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:14 AM:

" RIDE ON! "

C'mon A.B.A.T.E. wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:14 AM:

" Let's hear it! "

Greed wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:32 AM:

" I am amazed at the antics of seniors chasing their youth with contraptions that require eyesight, reflexes, and balance that have long since left their body. Another thing lacking in them is judgment. Old geezers do not belong on motorcycles! Find yourself a classic car to spend time polishing, you’ll live longer, and your family will suffer less worry. Common sense? "

Right wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:21 AM:

" It's amazing how much people have fought for the "freedom" to go without a helmet. However, it's not cool, just stupid. "

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