Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on March 11, 2003, to repeal the mandatory helmet motorcycle helmet law for persons 21 years old or older who have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years, or who have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course; and for motorcycle passengers 21 years old or older, if the driver meets these requirements. Operators of roofed "autocycles" would also be exempt. Senate Bill 321 is the same bill

The vote was 69 in favor, 37 opposed and 4 not voting

(House Roll Call 895 at House Journal 86)

Click here to view bill details.

This bill selectively kills or permanently injures those over 21 who have meet all the safety instruction etc., etc. Unbelievable, to me, that any responsible legislator would introduce such a bill. What could, possibly, be the motive in doing so? Irresponsibility in leadership is not sometning which we need!

Something like thirty states do not mandate helmets for riders over 21. Michigan is in the minority on this issue.

There once was a nation founded on the notion that people could make their own decisions regarding risks and rewards. The popularity of convertibles (no roof? The HORROR!!) and rollercoasters would seem to indicate that many FREE humans derive substantial pleasure from high speeds and wind rushing through their hair.

It should come as no surprise that motorcycle riders in a majority of our states think the same way about their particular thrill (which actually requires training and safety lessons before you can participate).

With this freedom comes the valid option of relocation for those -- like the previous writer -- who prefer an all-protecting, 'Big Mother', state to make sure that neither boo-boos nor a good times are had by anyone.

Granting this liberty also brings a risk of serious injury borne by the unhelmeted rider. That risk is less than chance of a smoker getting a life ending illness, an auto racer dying in an accident, and any number of other legal activities that seriously endanger life.

'Selective killing' is not the issue. Enjoying life requires risk. Some people can enjoy life with a lower level of risk. Others need more, or are willing to risk more as a means toward greater reward (and/or wealth). The issue here is whether we live in a nation where the first group should set the rules for the latter group.

As an informed citizen who has taken the time to research this issue, I fully support this bill. Let's not let the insurance industry ruin it. People need to make their own personal decision to wear a helmet or not. The 2 leading causes of motorcycle fatalities are automobiles and blunt trauma injuries. Helmets can't protect you from those.

Helmet's are not a safety device for motorcyclist's, and mandatory helmet laws are nothing
more than a mandatory dress code with the ability to cause injury and death. But a helmet will
protect a headform in a laboratory (up to 13.66 mph), unfortunately, headforms do not ride
motorcycles. Yea up to 13.66 mph why is a DOT approved helmet only good for an impact up to
13.7 mph, and this is Okay? On my daily ride to work I average 40 mph this helmet will do me
no good. Helmets are nothing more than a false sense of security. The best protection any
rider has is Experience, Education, Rider Awareness, and Public Awareness.
Think about this, on a Go-Fast Bike that can do 0 to 60 mph in 2 seconds. Less than 1/10th of
a second into that run the Helmet is no longer effective and could not withstand the impact you
would receive if you left that bike. About the only thing the Helmet would do is make you a
recognizable corpse.
Lets make it my choice to wear a helmet, It sounds to me like they will do more damage than
good.

Public awareness and training will do much more for motorcycle riders than helmets. Research the numbers and see that the insurance companies are not telling the whole story.

I agree that adults have the right to scramble their brains by not wearing a helmet in a motorcycle accident. My only reservation is, I do not want to pay one cent toward the maintenance of a 21-year-old who has made this choice and become brain dead or paraplegic for life, with a 60-year life expectancy.

Given the nanny-state we have created, including the unlimited health coverage provided by our MCCA accident injury insurance system, I am not convinced that I will NOT have to pay. Even without MCCA, when the 21-year-old paraplegic is indigent and living in a nursing home with Medicaid paying the bills, that is ME paying the bills. And don’t tell me Medicaid is going away – get real; not in our Oprah-fied culture.

Therefore, if motorcyclists are genuinely serious about wanting to fully accept responsibility for their actions, they will agree to an amendment which requires optional "no helmet" insurance that completely covers 100% of all potential medical and living costs. Would it be expensive? Maybe, but too bad - if you refuse it, you are refusing to accept genuine responsibility. Further, I would require helmetless riders to have a highly visible "I have bought the no-helmet insurance" tag on their license plate, and if they don't, WHAM - traffic tickets with big fines and license points. Because I REALLY DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR YOUR LIFELONG MEDICAL CARE!

I am a biker, a cop, and a military reservist presently on active duty in a foreign land. I love Michigan, the USA, and my freedom. I will protect it and yours at the cost of my life. I would never wear a motorcycle helmet if I did not have too. I have been riding for 26 years. A helmet never kept me out of an accident. I know how to make decisions regarding the sanctity and security of my life. I do it every day. I do not need the Government,(read insurance industries), telling me what (safety) equipment to use on my motorcycle. I know what I need. I have seen the paid lobbyists for the insurance companies outside the capitol house and senate floors more times than I can count. They outnumber the lobbyists from any other organization. Tell me this is about safety, and not money. Tell me there are no lies being told regarding this ordeal. I have no tolerance for lying and conniving on any level. Leave me, and my AMERICAN way of life alone. Take your Non-freedom loving, panseyassed, scaredycat rearend to one of the many other countries across this planet where you can just about pick the amount of ruling and regulating of your life you feel COMFORTABLE with.

Hey I think you should check the numbers, 92% of all Automobile fatalities are caused by
Head Trauma. Were as 18% of Motorcycle is head, the other 82% is blunt force trama. This is
when a Car, Truck, or Etc. crushes lower body parts causing internal oragans to stop working, IE.
lungs can't hold air or hearts stops pumping blood.

So with these numbers in mind, the auto drivers should be wearing the helmets and stop hitting
the motorcycle........ Because I didn't see him officer, I had my ear to the phone, working on my
laptop, steering with my knee, while picking my nose.

Motorcyles are every where "Look Twice Save a Life" we deserve the same amount of road as you.

The purpose of this bill its to give a choice, not to abolish helmets in MICHIGAN. Does this Mean That the Minute when (and if)this bill passes every motorcyclist in this state that is eligible to ride without a helmet will throw it in the trash ?? No, it doesn't. probably about half will still continue to wear a helmet.
The issue of anyone paying for lifelong medical bills and the mcca fund is pure BS.
I have a job, I am a motorcylst, and here is the real shocker I HAVE MY OWN MEDICAL COVERAGE.
We all pay into the MCCA fund on a per vehical basis. Not a per car or truck basis,but for every car, truck or motorcyle that we own. These funds are to cover medical bills that exceed a certain limit. Except that motorcylist are exempt from using this fund. so I put it to you that it is not the car driver paying for the care of the motorcyclist but it is the motorcylist who pays for the injuries to a car drivers who hit another car,truck,tree,deer or anything else that the driver may hit.
To all of you that know someone who was killed while riding a motorcycle, ask yourself two questions, 1. were they wearing a helmet ? 2. what good did it do.
if I offended anyone then I apologize, but please here both sides before making an uninformed
jugement or a one sided jugement.
Remember, All we want is a choice.

Understand it is all about choice, The Surgeon General has determined that Smoking Causes
Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysems, and May Complicate Pregancy. Yet a lot of Adults
make the choice and can make the Choice to Smoke. What about Drinking another Adult Choice
yet it causes Liver Problems and other health problems, yet it is an Adult Choice.

The numbers in Adult Choice States for Helmet Usage show that only about 30% of the Riders
will Ride without a Helmet, and it is Adult Choice. Do we want to Abolish Helmets? NO.... Does
this mean If I make the Adult Choice not to wear a helmet I'm going to force every Rider I see
with a helmet on not to wear theirs? NO..... I don't Smoke my Adult Choice and I don't bother you.
I don't Drink again my Adult Choice and I don't bother you.

Do the Research ask the Questions you'll find out Your being Lied to even by Insurance Compnies.

To whoever posted this response,
Ok so you dont want to pay for a 21 year old parapalegic with a 60 year life expectency. Hey wait a sec, guess what you already do! although it might not be motorcyclist, but a car driver who was drunk and cracked his car into a tree, or maybe a prison inmate who was in a fight, just who do you think pays for their medical cost over long period of time? The insurance industry takes it out of their back pockets, hey wanna buy a bridge? look at what they did after 911,a horrid and tragic event, but the first thing the insurance industy did was to figure out a way to recoupe their losses, and they did, by raising insurance rates. If you have been listing to the insurance propaganda remember their job is to keep shareholders happy.
As far as the inmates recieving medical care. you pay for that too. with your tax dollers.
now if you really dont want to pay for anyones problems but yours i suggest that you quit paying insurance on everything. house, car, apartment everything that way if you should happen to need help at some point and time you wouldnt be such a burdon to the next person.
Oprah-fied culture??? there is very little in this state that an individual does not need insurance for. stop and think about it car, home, health, dentel, vision, life oprah-fied? Nope Just insurance controlled.
oh and one last thing. MOTORCYLIST ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE MCCA FUND BUT WE PAY INTO IT!

This bill does not outlaw helmets. It lets adults choose what they feel is correct for themself. There are currently 30 free choice states. None of these 30 states have seen an increase in their insurance rates. There are NO FACTS that support the need for an adult helmet law in the state of Michigan.

This is not a killer bill. look at ALL the information before you think and act on an impulse and ignorace. What we (or at leat I) do not need is is a group of peaple sitting leather chairs deciding on what is best for ME. I am not 2 years old.

I think that it would be about time for a freedom of choice, I'm a resedent of Waterford, and ride about 15-20k miles per year, most of which is spent south and west of the border a.k.a. OH, IN, IL and further west. How nice it would be to ride in the great lakes state , with the wind blowing through my hair. but untill this law is changed I will have to contiue to head stright for the border, so I can remove that worthless thing from my head, which by the way stayed nicely tucked away in my saddle bag from Toledo to Casper, WY and back. Funny thing, I don't remember my insurance company saying anything about not paying the bill if i fell down out of state.
And for any wise guys outthere, I checked, the tab will be paid by my insurance company provided i'm abiding by the laws in the state in which I ride. So for now, I will be happy to pay all the other states my hard earned dollars to ride free.

As a long term motorcycle rider, 38 years, I feel that I am qualified to decide if I should ride with a helmet or not. This is about our Freedom of Choice. Why should this state make laws that can take away the freedoms that we as individual adults are more able to to decide than those who have never ridden on a motorcycle? Who has suddenly made these people more of an experienced rider than myself? The insurance companies passed this law with a faulty study done by them back in the 60's and we have been force to live with it since. Their data was greatly flawed back then and their arguments are just as flawed today. Motorcycle Rider Education has proven that it will save lives but insurance companies don't want to have it taught to new and old riders. Why has it been cut from next years state budget? We, the riders, pay for it with lisence fees. Motorcycle Awareness classes for new drivers has also proven effective. The states that promote these classes have the safest roads for all in the country and most of them do not require helmet use for adult motorcyclists. There are now 30 states that allow Freedom of Choice and most of them have lower insurance rates than Michigan. Has the insurance industry ever followed through on a promise they have made to the people of Michigan? Not that I can remember. They have been forced to do things after some laws were passed but even then not all of us benefitted from it. Don't beleive their threats of higher rates because they would not be justified. Let Freedom finally come to the state of Michigan and change this law.
Ride Free Ride Safe

I am from Ohio, I am a biker and a doctor who has witnessed all the trauma from motorcycle accidents. I now have to move to Michigan and be forced to wear a helmet. Do I support a manditory helemet law - NO! As a rider I accept the fact that if I where hit by another vehicle - the outlook is grim. But this is the crux of the fight- I am an adult and I am well aware of the reprecussions of my decision. I have insure to cover my medical bills. So why cant the Michigan State government treat me like an adult.

I will support everyone of these bills that allow a choice.

Please, allow the bill to procede so that we; those you are trying to protect might have a choice.
The Helmet Laws are made to protect OTHERS LIABILITIES,,, not our HEADS,.
Ken Berry,
previous state employee, MAGE, Combat vet Viet Nam, purple hearts, Hit in head by cycle in Florida, Insurance = MCCA coverage non existent but we pay
Cycle insurance in Michigan doesn't cover
Cycle is not a motor vehicle in Michigan
We are not protected by this legislation
We need to give better SAFETY instruction for ALL riders, especially NEW and YOUNGER cycle riders.

Thank You

Learn to write before you post. That way you won't be used as an example of the intelligence level of people against helmet laws.

A bill that kills. Next thing you will be telling me is that guns kill people. If you followed the news from other states you would discover that helmet laws do not help.

Anybody got an idea of the time frame? Before spring ends? in the summer?

I agree with this bill. The only difference in a crash with a helmet and one without is either an open or a closed casket. It might also save you from a little road rash if the crash isn't bad enough. The only thing a helmet really does is make my neck sore, and my head sweat. One night going down the freeway I turned my head to check the lane deside me, the strap snaped on my lid and it flew off. I pulled off and went back for it, and let me tell you that peice of plastic would not have been much help for my skull. It broke like the shell on a hard boiled egg.

I agree with this bill. The only difference in a crash with a helmet and one without is either an open or a closed casket. It might also save you from a little road rash if the crash isn't bad enough. The only thing a helmet really does is make my neck sore, and my head sweat. One night going down the freeway I turned my head to check the lane deside me, the strap snaped on my lid and it flew off. I pulled off and went back for it, and let me tell you that peice of plastic would not have been much help for my skull. It broke like the shell on a hard boiled egg.

Live in Michigan, 6 miles from Wisconsin border. 95% of our riding is done in Wi. We fuel up there also, saves a stop to take the helmet off. Have friends in Wi. that won't attend ralleys in Mi. or even enter the state.

When I awake tomorrow and fire up my 10 year old cruiser, it will be my choice...
When I stop for gas, pumping in regular or premium, it will be my choice...
When I head for the Ohio State line, to ride without a helmet, it will be my choice...

When I spend my money in Ohio, rather then Michigan, it will be my choice...

And if I dump my bike, and it results in my death because I did not wear a helmet...

I WILL HAVE DIED WITH THE WIND ABOUT MY FACE, ENJOYING AN ACTUAL RIGHT, AND FREEDOM....
AND IT WILL HAVE BEEN MY CHOICE!

about time we get our right to choose back, I've
been rideing 59, yep 59 years most of them with out a helemt. this spring I bought a new dot and snell approved helment . three days later the helement had a two inch crack on the top, it had not been droped, in fact i onley wore it once. don,t it will protect my head very well. GIVE ME BACK MY RIGHT TO CHOOSE! Helements don,t always save lives they sometimes KILL.

If people like you would at least read the proof about how helmets really don't and can be a Cause of personal injury even death,you are being lied to about how safe they really are and if you don't belive me which by the way I have had 29 years of riding motorcycles without one accident , let me decide what is best for me! Not a misinformed person as yourself the facts are right here please go to the link and at least read and then judge for yourself but don't you dare tell me what is good for me you my friend are part of the problem not the soultion!


http://www.abateofmichigan.org/7%20Legislative/Miscon/Truth_About_Helmets.htm

I find it very interesting that no one speaks to the issue of increased motorcyle deaths and why it may be happening. Helmet or no helmet you have very little chance of survival if you are impacted by an auto driver who is not schooled to look for motorcycles and do not know the signals we are tested on. What good is it for me to give a hand signal when a driver of an auto is not aware of what they mean and is hurried, impatient and selfish. What good is it for a motorcycle rider to place himself in his lane correctly- when a driver of an auto keeps you in his blind spot. What good is for the motorcycle rider to be able to turn within a certin radius when a driver of an auto will cut you down "'cuz I did not see him/her". These people who want helmeted riders are the very people who do not chose to learn about the use of motorcycles, safety in their use( so they know what the motorcycle is doing). These are the very drivers who are killing the motorcyle rider. We need education for the auto driver.

Lets face it its all about freedom. If safety were the issue, we could all sit in a padded box. Motorcycles are not a safe way to travel and I dont know anyone who rides that does it to be safe. We love the freedom and wind in our hair. The way we turn into a corner, the feel of power as you twist the throttle. As for helmets I feel that they make riding less safe, vision, heat, vibration ect. Not to mention the dangers of a helmet in a crash. If the State police ever did approve SAFETY HELMETS I would wear one so my widow coud sue the pants off them.!!!

I can see you dont want to make any Free choice of your own. So you let someone else control them for you.My choice is to make FREE choices for myself.I think it should be up to the individual if they want to wear a helmet or not!!!!!!.
Let Those Who Ride Decide!!!!!!!.Ride Safe Ride Free.

SURE MAKE BIKERS PAY EVEN MORE INSURANCE, MOST OF US ARE PAYING FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF CAR DRIVERS WHO CHOSE NOT TO CARRY INSURANCE. IF YOU WOULD NOT BAT AN EYE TO DISRIMINATION AGAINST US HOW ABOUT MAKING CAR DRIVERS PAY HIGHER PREMIUMS FOR THE REST OF THIER LIVES WHEN THEY RUN US OVER AND SIMPLY SAY SORRY I DIDNT SEE YOU.

Anyone who voices an opionion on something they have not educated themselves on is ignorant. When you have no facts you attack a persons writing ability. Facts, when looked at, clearly prove helmets make no difference is saving lives of motorcyclists. Educate yourself on the issue then use some learned facts.

Sorry for the late response, but never have I heared such an uniformed OPINION. Obviously you are unaware of the FACTS. The fact is helmet choice states have a slightly lower injury/fatality rate than helmet states. Why? Because helmets are completely usless at speeds over 30mph. Bet you didn't know that. Good thing 31 other states do. Let's use common sense here (provided you have any) if your OPINION were true, do you honestly think these 31 other states would pick up the bill? HELL NO! By the way, did you know that 1 out of 3 smokers will need medical care? I guarentee the number of injured bikers isn't nearly a fraction of that. So do know what I do, I don't smoke. I don't go around telling other people they can't. So next time you have something to say be sure you have the FACTS to back it up don't just preach your OPINION!

If "the helmet choice states have a slightly lower injury/fatality rate," then there is no reason to oppose my proposed amendment to require optional "no helmet" insurance covering 100% of all potential medical and living costs. Indeed, if your facts are correct, you should support this, since it would likely be a CREDIT on the insurance bills of the helmetless, rather than an additional charge. Given this, the only reason for your insulting, ad-hominem attacks on a good faith suggestion is because you do not have faith in your "facts," and are trying to foist off a subsidy for motorcyclists. Actually, I think your facts are probably correct, so the nastiness is a mystery. Surely the stereotype about surly bikers can't be true?

If my response came off as nasty, I appoligize. I'm just so sick and tired of the insurance arguement. We pay way too much in insurance already. You pay into the catastrophic fund on a per vehicle basis so if you own a bike and a car you pay into it twice. However if you are injured on a bike you can't use it, you just get to pay for it. Insurance is a dirty business. They have done everything in their power to keep bikers off the road. Insurance rates in Indiana and Ohio are lower than they are here, yet they allow adult helmet choice and Michigan does not. Since we are already being way overcharged additional helmet-free insurance rates are not nessasary. We pay more than enough. If I were to get injured on my bike, helmet or not, my medical insurance through work would cover me anyway. Although I understand your concerns, it's not unhelmeted bikers that you should worry about, it's the insurance companies lying to you and ripping you off. You might be intrested in HB4012 and SB209. These bills would require an annual audit of insurance company claims. If insurance companies are not accounted for they can (and do) say whatever suits their agenda. 31 states allow adult helmet choice and they do not have higher injury and fatallity rates like the insurance companies would like you to believe. If they did they would all have helmet laws, just like all 50 states have seatbelt laws.

It is my head my body my brain I am an adult and know the consequences of riding with out my helmet it is my choice, my right!, now go attack the abortion rights and stop wasting our time!!

Helmet choice is a personal freedom issue. Just like ordering a Big Mac or having a beer. Shall we outlaw those health damaging activities? In this Land of the Free, personal freedoms must be carefully guarded to prevent government from evolving into Big Brother or "Safety Nannyhood." In 2002, 3,276 motorcyclists lost their lives - total, with or without a helmet. Let's put this in perspective. That same year, more people died in a fire - 4,000. Illegal drugs - 6,000. Alcohol - 105,000. Smoking - 434,000. Let's talk public burden one MORE time... Never mind that bikers are just as likely to have health insurance as non-bikers. Never mind that ALL motor vehicle accidents account for ONLY 1.16% of TOTAL US healthcare costs. The 0.001% attributed to motorcyclist injuries is an extremely small part of these costs. Out of 100% of vehicles involved in accidents nationwide, motorcycles represented less than 1%, only 0.53%. Let's DO mind that... A 1999 STUDY BY THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY REVEALED THAT, EACH YEAR, AS MANY AS 98,000 PEOPLE DIE AS A RESULT OF PREVENTABLE MEDICAL ERRORS WHICH COST THE NATION AN ESTIMATED $29,000,000,000. THE STUDY CITES MEDICAL ERRORS AS THE FIFTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES. Please excuse if I sound like I'm shouting - that's all caps because I pasted it from a Pennsylvania HOUSE BILL: HB 158, found at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2003/0/HB0158P1973.HTM "Public Burden" Perspective: 98,0000 dead patients every year. 3,276 dead bikers in 2002. So I ask, who is the real public burden? Biker injuries that represent 0.001% of all vehicle accident-related healthcare costs? Or the $29 BILLION, 98,000 lost lives, and FIFTH leading cause of death in the US that's attributed to "preventable medical errors" performed by the medical profession that lobbies so hard to put lids on our heads? Sound like a re-direction tactic? Opponents to freedom of choice should join forces with us and spend those lobby dollars instead to start PREVENTING motorcycle accidents through motorists awareness promotion and rider training programs. Not to mention spending their money to clean up their own act. In these days of absurdly rising gasoline costs, riding a motorcycle and reducing our dependence on foreign oil is patriotic! Let us who ride decide what to wear. We don't lobby for mandatory helmets in 4-wheel vehicles (99.47% of all vehicle accidents) or for mandatory helmets on golf courses. I ask you, if your state mandated helmets on golf courses, would doctors drive to a free state to enjoy freedom of choice? Stay out of my closet and I'll stay off your golf course.

This was schedueled to be voted on May 20th. Why hasn't that happened? Why is this being stalled yet again? Let's get it done already!!!

Adult responsible Freedom to choose

We are surrounded by Helmet free states. Out of state bikers won't put on a helmet to speend there money here, and we continue to spend ours in other helmet-free beautiful warmer states- Popeye