With more US states looking at compulsary helmet use there is a lot of discussion on US forums. I loved a few of the arguments for and againts (mostly against):

I thought the only difference in wearing a helmet versus not wearing a helmet. Is open casket versus closed casket. If you chose cremation why care!

If a person decides they don't want to use mandated safety equipment, let's just add a waiver to the law that says all you have to do is post a bond of sufficient size to cover around the clock care for the rest of your life, and provide for your family, if you manage to bang your head on a curb and become a drooling imbecile.  That way the rest of society doesn't have to foot the bills for your "freedom". 

It just simply makes no difference whether or not a person is wearing a helmet for the financial burden placed on others through increased costs. Actually, odds are that folks who do NOT wear helmets cause the least burden as they will more than likely be deceased from any accident that "may have been survivable" had they been wearing a helmet. Those who survivie the same accident cause much more of a financial impact to others than those that do not.

I got into a discussion with an ER nurse on a plane. She saw my Harley shirt and then talked about the perils of not wearing a helmet.  I asked if she was pro choice which she answered Yes.  Then I asked her how is it alright for you to decide to kill a baby, but I can't choose if I wear a helmet?  Ended the discussion. 

Whoa!!  Scared me for a moment, I thought this thread was about condoms.

 

There's no doubt that helmets save lives and serious injuries.  Arguing against it is like arguing agains seat belts, it's pointless because it's proven to work.  Deaths cost society just as much as permanent disability anyway.  Think of someone who dies and is 40 y.o and employed.  Society loses around 25 years of tax dollars for that one person.  That's a big cost.

It all seems a long time ago but I did my learners on a bike and spent the first year riding to work on a bike ,in fact I was riding around town at the age of 15 on my first mototbike and it was all pre helmet days !! When the government wanted to bring in the helmet laws all the motorcycle clubs took up petitions against the new laws.I for one signed a petition aginst the laws.I know it sounds crazy now but thats how everone thought back then.The main objections were,what do you do with your helmet when you went to the movies or the pub .What if you see a mate and he is walking you cant pick him up as you dont have a helmet.Someone will steal it from your bike.All seems a bit crazy now cos as we know they save lots of head damage and why would you ride without one ??

I only wear one as the cost of not is too high. Still don't sometimes.

In twenty years we will saying remember when we had black vests!!!

Dave

why bother mentioning the cost of pallative care for a vegetable ffs ?????

if smoking is legal and we accept that alot of out tax dollars are going towards assisting those morons through the health system .. then quite frankly the cost of a few head cases from motorcycle accidents is nothing !!!

after my recent bounce along the black stuff, without a helmet i wouldn't be here.

Nothing like listening to your helmet grind along the bitumen.

Just gives you that everlasting memory like your first fuck.

Glad I had one on.

A guy died riding a quad bike on a beach in Darwin last week. Not wearing a helmet was his demise ........ and that was on beach sand!!

Every time you jump on the bike you take your life in your hands - helmet or no helmet. Personally, I have private health insurance, life insurance and superannuation and believe that it should be my fucken choice. The comment about black vests (although I am not a vest wearer) is too close to the bone and we should all be united in opposing every impingement on our current freedoms whether we personally agree or not. Just cos there is no law against black vests doesn't mean you have to wear them if you personally don't want to to but once they are illegal no-one can wear them. That's what we need to fight against.

 

Philthy