Can't allow adult Americans to make their own decisions about their own safety.

It's clearly the government's job to play Nanny to us all, make us wear our rubbers & mittens.

After all..., they aren't OUR lives we're talking about!
They're the GOVERNMENT'S lives, and they're just On Loan to us.

The post sez: "The number of people killed on motorcycles who were 50 and older has quadrupled over the past decade."

But this stat is meaningless without context. Specifically, what were the number of "50 and older" riders a decade ago versus that number now? Could it be that there are four times as many riders and the ratio of rider to fatality has remained constant? I expect better from you folks!

I took a look at the Florida DOT report. Thanks for the link. The report says that in 1998 (when helmets were required) the number of injuries per 10K registered cycles was 210. In 2001 (no helmet required by law), that number DROPPED to 199. So I have to question whether the author has a handle on the facts. It seems like just another hand-wringing article driven by irrational fear instead of a considered analysis.

I cry "foul" on MoJo!

You may also note that the report shows from 9.5% to 39.8% of people in the listed categories during the '97 to '99 time period (when helmets were mandated by law) were people not wearing helmets.

Also, the change in Florida's law didn't apply to riders under 21, who are still required to wear brain-buckets. But 45% to almost 61% of the 'under-21s' in the listed categories since the change of law have been people not wearing.

So much for legal mandates from the Mommy-Daddy State.

What was it Winston Churchill said?
"When you have 10,000 regulations, you destroy all respect for the law."

the debate over whether or not mandatory helmet laws actually save lives or not is much more complicated than you make it out to be. As others have pointed out, there are many flaws in the statistics that are reported. As a long time rider, and a long time member of ABATE, I say "Let those who ride decide".

There are many arguments against helmets. They reduce peripheral vision and hearing; both of which can be valuable in preventing an accident, especially since most motorcycle accidents involve a four-wheeler. Helmets may also trap heat, leading to heat fatigue, which can cause a rider to lose attention, or even pass out. Helmets have also been known to cause broken necks. In many states it is illegal to wear a helmet while driving a car; apparently they feel there are good reasons for *not* wearing helmets. The most important safety equipment a rider has is his attention to conditions and circumstances. This is something that most new riders lack.

Like seatbelts, helmets do nothing to prevent accidents (and may in many cases contribute to causing accidents). They are only of any use once there has been a crash.

That said, I do wear my helmet. Having had a number of crashes, and damaged a helmet, I choose to wear one. But I also live in a high traffic locality, where many people tell me I'm crazy just to ride at all. I enjoy the freedom of being helmet free when I am out "in the country", on back roads where traffic is light.

There are many reasons for motorcycle fatalities. Inattentive riders, and especially auto driver. Before mandating helmets, and seatbelts, let's eliminate the bozos swerving on the highway while they reach for their cell phones. Inexperienced riders are another prime cause; all new riders would be well served to take a rider safety course. Mandating helmet use does no more to making the highways safer than does mandating seatbelt usage. It merely provides some measure of protection, though it can also contribute to a sense of invulnerability, leading to more reckless riding.

Helmets can preserve the facial structures in fatal motorcycle accident.

If you wear a helmet you can still have an open casket.

I rode for many years, dumped my bike a few times. I was always happy to have my head protected.

The only problem with riders that choose not to wear a helmet is some have no insurance and so we all end up paying for the medical care that could have been mitigated by a simple safety device - the helmet.

All of the same arguments against wearing helmets can be said (and was said) about seat belts.

It is for the common good that helmets are required.

No man is an island and we all should share the same consideration for the common good of all citizens.

Florida rider numbers jumped up 300% in the first 3 years after dropping the adult helmet requirement. Percent of injury/fatality stats needs to be re-calced.

within the boomer generation we are also seeing vast increases in AIDS, HIV and other serious sexually transmitted disease. therefore, would it not be prudent to make condom use mandatory in all fifty states to protect Americans from the ravages of sexual congress? oh, congress! don't get me going there! sex and congress& what could possibly be more dangerous?? oh, i know, riding a hog without a helmet. but then, that depends on what the definition of hog is, doesn't it? riding hogs in congress? hmm...riding congressional hogs? oh, my poor brain, i need something to distract me from that vision.