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FreedomPosted Friday, October 3, 2008, at 8:09 AM
Motorcyclists refer to states allowing riders to choose whether or not they wear a helmet as "free" states. The implication is that states with mandatory helmet laws are not free. In fact we consider them totalitarian in their legislative doctrine. It is extremely distasteful to a biker to be told what they can and cannot do by others. This is a feeling we share with our country's founding fathers. This lends us as Americans to wonder what happened? At what point did we forget as a society, to not only enjoy our personal freedoms, but to respect the freedom of others - even if they differ from our own?
Perhaps bikers are more sensitive than most to the erosion of personal freedoms. This could be due to the sense of freedom we have when on the road in the open wind. For those of you who do not ride, we cannot accurately explain the feeling we get noticing not only the sights but also the sounds and smells of the open road. We can tell you it is the most exhilarating feeling in the world. Once you have a taste of this feeling of freedom, you don't want to give it up -- in any form.
That form goes beyond the use of helmets. It applies to other choices such as building or customizing your own motorcycle, which is currently in jeopardy of being eliminated by our government in the form of manufacturing restrictions. There are ever increasing restrictions on smoking, tighter seat belt laws, noise ordinances, gun permit restrictions and most recently a consideration to ban washing your car in your driveway (Washington State). We are rapidly being faced with losing the basic freedoms we take for granted. Did you know that colon cancer is the second highest cause of cancer-related death in the US? (US Bureau of labor statistics -- for those of you verifying) Do we need to ban the consumption of red meat in the name of public health?
The freedoms motorcyclists hold dear are gradually eroding and to what do we owe these changes? I think it's due mostly to non-tolerance by some and inconsideration of others. Let's talk about noise ordinances for example. Let's say a motorcyclist, (with loud pipes for his own protection), cruises through a neighborhood racking his pipes loudly just to hear the sound. Someone living in that neighborhood decides there ought to be a law against noise -- and we're off to the races. This resulted from the motorcyclist being inconsiderate of the people in the neighborhood and the intolerance of the resident. The question is, why, if that resident has a problem does he want a law enacted covering everywhere he or she isn't? And likewise, why isn't the biker more courteous and discretionary in his use of noise? Instead of yelling for more laws why don't we communicate our concerns directly with each other? Why do we think that eroding our freedoms will improve our lifestyle?
Finally, I would like to point out that even the loudest bikes are only loud under hard acceleration. A considerate biker can control this. Also the screaming public could inch a bit closer to toleration realizing that the noise they hear will go away very shortly. In my opinion, we don't need more laws -- we need more cooperation with each other.
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MacGyver's Motorcycle Thoughts  - Archives - Blog RSS feed ![[Feed icon]](http://www.bannergraphic.com/images/icons/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon} - Comments RSS feed - Login Dan Stockton is a Putnam County native and graduated Salutatorian from North Putnam High School. He earned his BA degree from Wabash College in Crawfordsville. He is a co-author of research for the Indiana Academy of Science Journal and currently writes a column for "The Hoosier Motorcyclist". He is often seen at the Putnam County Playhouse and is an avid motorcyclist. He and his wife of 25 years have two children.
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Hey Dan, about the noise motorcycles make, I'm pretty sure that a handfull of the poser/rebel trucks with no exhaust on them are just as loud. Most people who drive those trucks don't have a clue what the Confederate flag really stands for. Motorcyles and crotch rockets are more manueverable than a vehicle and you shouldn't be limited to what you are allowed to do with your ride as long as you go the speed limit.
In my personal opinion whomever would ride a motorcycle without a helmet is an idiot. Just my personal thought. What I don't understand is why is it okay to ride a cycle without a helmet but yet even though I am over 21 and own the vehicle I have to wear a seatbelt? I understand requirements on minors but shouldn't it be my decision to wear it or not? At least I have some protection unlike a motorcycle..Yet they have a choice but I don't? HHMMMMM...
I'm speaking from an ousider point of view. I don't have a bike, I wear my seatbelt in my car for my safety, and I am a southerner that has nothing wrong with piping my Dodge down a crowded street. I think that there should be an age limit on helmets and seatbelts. If your under the age of 18 or even 21 I think you should have to wear a seat belt in a car and wear a helmet on a motorcycle. Soon enough they are gonna make everyone wear a seatbelt on a motorcycle. How would that make you feel. I think it's time for a good ol' recession to change this would and reform it. Were about due.
depauw2012 - i bet you bring tears to your mothers eyes...
Such disdain and anger from some of the readers! Where is all the anger coming from? Yes there is a seatbelt law however our children get transported to and from school without seatbelts on our public school buses daily. Where's the anger about that? I am glad for the choice to wear or not wear my helmet. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Why would someone be angry and call me an idiot either way? Maybe with such aggression out on our roads I should wear my helmet always! But again I HAVE A CHOICE!! I have that choice because someone decided to fight for that choice and have won the battle (so far). The fight is not over and we could still lose our right to choose.
Back on subject, Loud pipes save lives... you bet they do! I have avoided several accidents by rattling off my pipes to an unaware driver about to pull out infront of me. It's a scary feeling to have a vehicle start to move into your driving path. I think it takes more than loud pipes. You HAVE to be aware of everything going on around you, including behind you! You'd be amazed at the number of people who didn't see me and almost run right over the top of me, and my bike is an amazing bright green!!! So I keep my bike in gear and make sure I'm far enough away from the car infront of me that I can maneuver around to the side to avoid being plowed from behind. Oh yeah, when you're driving around in your car (calcans1) do you talk on your cell phone while wearing your seatbelt? That is still a choice but you may find yourself losing that one too!!
What puzzles me is the rider that wears his helmet but has on shorts and sandals or even sneakers. Protecting you skull is great, but not at the expense of the skin on your legs and feet. Or keeping those extemities period. It is a personal choice I understand but not one I fully get.
I think along with seatbelts, helmets save lives!
Either way ride safe.
I agree with dcsaiht wear your gear. Helmet or no helmet, riding with very little clothing is stupid and wearing a helmet with shorts is even more stupid.
See you in the wind.
According to the European Road Safety Observatory (ERSO 2007) 80% of all motorcycle crashes involve leg injuries. What I outlined above seems to hold true. People are fine with laws as long as they are consistent with their beliefs. I am not. I don't like kids playing music so loud the sheet metal rattles, but I would support these same kids fighting to prevent noise ordinances. I, like many, believe in the right to choose.........responsibly.
Hey Dan,
I would agree with you, why do we involve the law on such silly issues. We all need to communicate with each other and be courtesous of one another and just use common sense. I cannot relate to the feeling of riding a motorcycle as I have never been on one and do not own one. I do understand the little freedoms in life that keep going by the wayside due idiotic individuals who get offended and decide to pass legislation to prevent such acts. What we need more of in this world is communication skills and common sense..."do unto others as you would do unto you"