In 1978 Wisconsin defeated their helmet law. It was a victory for both men and woman bikers fought until the end. What we didn't know then, we definitely know now. It wasn't the end. Organizations such as ABATE of Wisconsin (and other state chapters), American Motorcycle Association (AMA), Motorcylce Riders Foundation (MRF), Bikers of Lesser Tolerance (B.O.L.T.) and other organizations have been fighting for their right to decide ever since. It seems to be a never ending battle to continue our rights, as stated in the Constitution. It's our freedom of choice not to wear a helmet. Let us decide what is best for us.
In the years of 1984 through 1990, 92 more fatalities were attributed to riders wearing helmets than not. The rates were even lower in states that did not produce a helmet law. Harborview Medical Center produced a study that 63.4% of public funding was given to motorcyclist's injuries. However, 67% of the general population received the same type of funding. Nine states require helmet reflectors, thirty-five states require eye protection for the driver, while most states require it for all passengers and twenty-two states require that head lights be turned on at all times. Wisconsin is required to follow these same laws, excluding the helmet reflectors. But I assure you that this law is in the works somewhere.
The Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) does not approve any helmets nor make laws for their usage. Their primary concern and direction is involved in the standards and regulations of a helmets safety. A Federal required helmet must meet certain standards (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218) before it is labeled "LEGAL". The manufacturer must list their name, model size, month and year of manufacture, construction material and owners information on the inside of the helmet lining. The lining is required to be one inch thick with the polystyrene foam and the chin strap must be sturdy and not riveted to the helmet. There are bikers out there that have tried to pass "fake helmets" through the system, such as Army German style, or the skull cap and even cheap fiberglass helmets. There are several differences between the two, but the most noticable is when holding one in each hand; that the real helmet weighs about three pounds and the cheap one only weighs about a pound. Stickers may also be placed on the outside of the helmet stating they have met the Department of Transportation regulations. Unfortunately, these stickers can be purchased from the seller when you buy a cheap helmet; they just don't come affixed to it.
The pros and cons have been argued about the thought that helmets can save your life. Due to my personal belief I can only state that the thoughts and written facts I have read in numerous EasyRider Magazines and ABATE of Wisconsin newsletters, is that helmets can also cause an accident. Vision obstruction, light headedness, heat exhaustion and motion sickness can sometimes interfere.
In 1981 I lost my boyfriend to an accident. An old man barely able to see, sipping brandy for his health, backed out of his driveway right in front of my boyfriend. He flew over the back of the car and landed on his head, breaking his neck. The officer tried to state that if he would have been wearing a helmet, he might have survived. There is no proof to that statement. Now days you don't even see this statement published. The G-Force of an impact is the bodies weight times three, with a helmet on. So if you took a guy weighing 200 pounds slamming into a stabile object, doing 13 miles an hour; that's 600 pound landing on the head and neck. I don't see where a helmet can protect the brain that only weighs a mere three pounds.
There are other types of injuries caused by helmets ranging from broken neck due to helmet rotation, crushing of the fourth vertebrae, severing the spinal cord or brain stem damage due to the chin bar on a full face helmet. Even race car drivers realize that it's not the helmet that protects the driver. It's the engineering and structure of the car's body, abling it to give under a certain force of pressure.
In 1990, ABATE of Wisconsin and other organizations joined together and created a letter writing campaign. Which 30,000 bikers rode to the state capital to produce their thought and concerns to congress on paper. This was the year of the big storm in which trees were falling and people were scattering, but we still stayed to show our determination for our rights. In 1992 the Liberty Ride came to place, this time 25,000 bikers rode to the capital in Madison, Wisconsin to express their concerns for freedom of choice. Recently in 1994, ABATE of Wisconsin wanted to show the state legislature their thanks and admiration for listening to them and to show celebration of their 20th Anniversary by organizing another 20,000 bikers to ride again, to the state capital.
If choice is the issue, then allow everyone the choice. Don't just limit those under 21 years of age. Let them have the right as an adult to decide. The opportunity to inform motorcyclists that the helmet law can be beaten if challenged properly, is a true fact. Just look at the efforts made by Wisconsin.
Driving or riding a motorvehicle is not a privilege, it's a challenge. By making choices that you have in life, not to wear a helmet you have just expressed "Your Right to Decide".
End