helmet laws

[slow mo]

ONONDAGA, N.Y. -- Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.

The accident happened Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse.

State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that 55-year-old Philip A. Contos of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets.

Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Troopers say Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet.

___

[je2wheeler]

[QUOTE=slow mo;332383]ONONDAGA, N.Y. -- Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.

First and foremost, condolences go out to his family and friends. Second for all of us, who oppose such laws, we have all suffered a setback through this unfortunate accident. I will not practice figure 8’s in a parking lot without a helmet yet I am against any law that restricts our free choice. In the seventies, Arizona repealed the helmet law. At a traffic light in Yuma while riding my ’74 Superglide, another Harley rider pulled up next to me and cussed me out for setting the wrong example by wearing a helmet. I asked him if it was a case of no brain, no pain. His answer was, “Huh?”

[natemoen]

O heard this story on all the local and national news shows as their "joke/funny" story. Very sad though.

I will say that I disagree greatly with helmet, seatbelt, and Amy other law like it. Although I will always wear a helmet and seatbelt. That is my choice because I think they are a great tool.

[slow mo]

i posted this sad but true tale for information purposes only if you know me i believe in safe riding at all times agatt! ride safe ,,slow mo!

[cywelchjr]

I too oppose helmet and seatbelt laws, but always wear both a helmet and seatbelt and did and would even without the law requiring them. I remember in Az in the Army when many of my buddies would pull up to the front gate of the base and have to put their helmet on to continue I would just ride through having my helmet on already. Those fools would also stop on their way out and take their helmet off. I've always figured to survive a getoff, and one way to increase my chances is to protect my head from impact damage as much as possible.

[forexbob]

I know the medical system in the States is different than Canada, but the way I see it, if you want to ride without a helmet or a seat belt, that's up to you. But if you get into an accident, don't expect the health care system to pay for any of your medical expenses.

[BA80]

I know the medical system in the States is different than Canada, but the way I see it, if you want to ride without a helmet or a seat belt, that's up to you. But if you get into an accident, don't expect the health care system to pay for any of your medical expenses.

Now THERE is a real touchy subject around here right now.

[tom clisham]

Seat belts?

Damn guys!
My bike doesn't even have seat belts!