Motorcycle-haters have apparently set their sights on Montana for the next mandatory helmet law: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/lchtml/LC...
Motorcycle-haters have apparently set their sights on Montana for the next mandatory helmet law:
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/lchtml/LC1683.htm
Montana, which enjoys the reputation of being one of the freest states in the nation, is now the target of liberals who wish to put an end to "freedom of choice". What better place to start than in Big Sky Country?
The American Motorcycle Association already sent a letter to State Representative Betsy Hands (D), the author of this bill. However, the AMA went about it the old way of stating "freedom of choice" and "bikers rights", the same argument that has failed time and time again.
The reason why they're introducing mandatory helmet laws, however, is because it shifts the burden of safety to the rider. In other words, it's the cheapest solution.
All of us bikers know that if everyone drove and rode more carefully, helmets wouldn't be necessary. But how do you force automobile drivers to drive more carefully?
Well, one way is to hire more cops, like triple the number of cops. But that costs lots of money. When a state like Montana has problems with unemployment, farmers going out of business, schools cutting programs, etc., it makes motorcycle safety seem trivial. It's easier to make helmets mandatory.
In the long run, converting more people into bikers may eventually turn the tide on mandatory helmet laws. But short of doing that, the only way to shift the laws into our favor is reduce the number of accidents. I don't know how we're supposed to do that, but as long as motorcycle fatality rates continue to climb, bikers are going to see more restrictive laws.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/lchtml/LC1683.htm
Montana, which enjoys the reputation of being one of the freest states in the nation, is now the target of liberals who wish to put an end to "freedom of choice". What better place to start than in Big Sky Country?
The American Motorcycle Association already sent a letter to State Representative Betsy Hands (D), the author of this bill. However, the AMA went about it the old way of stating "freedom of choice" and "bikers rights", the same argument that has failed time and time again.
The reason why they're introducing mandatory helmet laws, however, is because it shifts the burden of safety to the rider. In other words, it's the cheapest solution.
All of us bikers know that if everyone drove and rode more carefully, helmets wouldn't be necessary. But how do you force automobile drivers to drive more carefully?
Well, one way is to hire more cops, like triple the number of cops. But that costs lots of money. When a state like Montana has problems with unemployment, farmers going out of business, schools cutting programs, etc., it makes motorcycle safety seem trivial. It's easier to make helmets mandatory.
In the long run, converting more people into bikers may eventually turn the tide on mandatory helmet laws. But short of doing that, the only way to shift the laws into our favor is reduce the number of accidents. I don't know how we're supposed to do that, but as long as motorcycle fatality rates continue to climb, bikers are going to see more restrictive laws.
