Helmet laws

The BBQ Pit
81

Aw for fucks sake Chris, did you even read this thread?

Quoting Pldennison,
“Conversely, if you’re on a bike, don’t act like the rules of the road don’t apply to you, like riding up the berm or in between lanes of traffic. If you do, I will do my best to force you off the road and kill you.”

Nope nothing even remotely offensive there…

Quoting Chris,
“If a person is driving like a moron, he deserves to be let know that he’s driving like a moron. It’s called defensive driving,”

Nope it’s called road rage. And defending running people down, or forcing a conflict on the road because you have your kids with you is called being a fucking idiot. Not to mention an irresponsible parent.

Anyone want to talk about helmets, or are going to keep up this innane blather that is noting more than a couple of bike haters spewing bile?

82

ANYHOO…

I believe there are only three states that currently have NO restrictions on motorcycle helmets. Wisconsin, Illinois, and maybe Iowa? The others restrict underage riders and passengers. I can understand the underage rider thing, because they’re not legally of age to make the decision, i.e., mom and dad are still in control. However, they should give the parents the option of waiving it if THEY don’t feel it’s in the kid’s best interest to wear it. Anyone out there from a restricted state?

83

Silly me - you’re probably ALL from restricted states. Or at least a bunch of ya are.

84

::shaking my fist:: ASSHOLES!

85

Helmet-haters: if you think the law is unconstitutional, sue. If you think it’s constitutional, but it sucks, move.

pld, the lines dividing same-direction lanes only appear yellow if you’re suffering from road rage-induced color perception disorder (as in the phrase ‘seeing red’). They’re white.

86

Knappy, in defense of PLD (am I actually doing this? : )) the line is yellow if you’re going between, say, the east-bound and west-bound traffic in a no passing zone. It’s done sometimes. It’s dangerous all the time.

87

I believe (in fact I know) that I explicitly stated that I exceed the speed limit. You guys seem to have a tought time with these concepts. Let’s take a little quiz:

I am on a 4-lane divided highway, 2 lanes each direction. I am in the left lane. The posted speed limit is 65mph. I am travelling at 75mph. Suddenly, I see a car approaching in my rearview at well in excess of 75. Before I know it, he is about 4 inches from my bumper. Do I:

a) Speed up until I see him get really small in my mirror?
b) Floor my brake pedal?
c) Maintain my speed and let him pass me?
d) Slow down and let him pass me?
e) Get over.

A and B are out of the fucking question. E is a possibility, unless it isn’t clear. Most likely, I’m going to do C. Sometimes, I’m going to do D. He is behind me, and I am under no obligation to make his life easy.
cut off people who may

No, the major cause of road rage is the increasing number of morons who believe that everyday driving is to be handled like the Indy 500, who feel the goal of driving is to catch up as quickly as you can to the car ahead of you, then ride right off their bumper until they speed up or do something stupid, then catch the next car.

speakeasy: Whenever you’re ready, look me up, fuckstick.

EvilGhandi: Could you please quote me back the post where I said I was a “bike hater”? If you’d be so kind, I’ll just wait here. What’s that? You can’t find it? Oh, that’s right–because I never fucking said it. Don’t put words in my mouth; I’m perfectly capable of speaking for myself.

I don’t care if you’re driving a bike, an SUV, a sixteen-wheeler or a dune buggy; don’t drive like a moron and I have no problem with you.

I would also like to point out that waaay back at the beginning of the thread, I stated that I don’t support helmet laws OR seatbelt laws.

88

Sorry Phil, but I never *you<i/> were a bike hater. My words were something to the effect of; “a couple of bike haters spewing bile.” That you assume I meant you is probably because I quoted you in different paragraph stating your desire to end the lives of bikers that offend you.

A reasonable assumption I admit, but certainly not a quote of my words either.

Anyway your latest post does a fair enough job at stating what your real actions would be, so we can drop this? Take note Chris, What Phil describes in his last post defines defensive driving, that is, being aware of potential danger and avoiding it. Not becoming an active participant.

As far as requiring helmets on underage passengers, or riders under 18, I would like to believe that parents could make the choice on their own. Unfornately I see kids standing in the back seat every time I am out and about so I am going to have to vote, grudgingly, yea helmets for kids.

While the crash protection is minimal, it does provide some. Of course the risk of neck injury still remains. But several of my main objections are negated because the passenger is not the operator.

As far as underage operators, the only place *my<i/> kid would operate a bike would be in the dirt. And I always wear a helmet dirt riding. Like I said before, I would like the decision to be in the hands of the parents. Since I have yet to talk to a parent who lets their kid ride without one, a law seems sensible as an exstension parental authorty.

89

I’m not a bike hater, I love riding on a motorcycle…I’m even learning to operate one. And actually, EvilGhandi, yes I read the entire thread, word for word, post for post. I’ve also read quite a few of Phil’s posts AND I’m really good at separating sarcasm from seriousness. That’s why I wasn’t offended in the slightest by anything he said.

You want serious debate? Ya shoulda posted it in GD after all. If you’re going to put it in the Pit, don’t be surprised when it turns into something else. You’ve been around for a while, you should know that.

I don’t think that wanting to stop a maniacal driver from terrorizing everyone on the road can be considered road rage, no matter what said maniacal driver is driving.

As far as helmet laws go: It’s your head.

“…all the prettiest girls live in Des Moines…”
–Jack Kerouac, On the Road

90

I almost hate to bring this part back up, but here goes.

Regarding Seatbelts… An actual case:

Pick-up truck - Mother in driver seat wearing seat belt, 8 month old child in middle seat in a child seat, Father in passenger seat, not wearing seat belt.

Pick-up rear ends a semi that stopped quickly. Result… Mother severe injuries but lives, 8 month old child dies, Father dies.

Result of investigation. Father died from head injuries caused from windshield and “other” objects in vehicle. Child dies from head injuries caused by contact with Father. Mother’s injuries caused by contact with Father.

My wife handled this claim.

I wish we didn’t have to have such laws, but by not belting yourself it is not just your life you are putting at risk.

91

Spud, oh Spud, you have succeded in doing the impossible, you have left me at a loss for words.

Lessee if I understand you here, you are seriously trying to make a case for seat belts based on the fact that a dead body may become a leathal weapon if allowed to fly around in an accident.

The image of the PSA is now stuck in my head. Family driving down the road crashes into a truck. Father is ejected from the vehicle and careens through a group of nuns at a bus stop, bowling them over like little penguin shaped ten pins.

Voiceover, Buckle up, not just for your saftey you inconsiderate ass, do it for the nuns.

Could you have picked a more freakish image to leave in my brain?

92

Ahh Chris,
How do I flame thee? let me count the ways.

<font color=“blue”>I’m not a bike hater, I love riding on a motorcycle</font>

Sounds a little like, “I’m not a racist, I even have black friends”

<font color=“blue”>I’m even learning to operate one.</font>

Aw great, another fuckin wannabe.

<font color=“blue”>And actually, EvilGhandi, yes I read the entire thread, word for word, post for post. I’ve also read quite a few of Phil’s posts AND I’m really good at separating sarcasm from seriousness.</font>

Proving once and for all that reading and comprehension are separate things.

<font color=“blue”>That’s why I wasn’t offended in the slightest by anything he said.</font>

Too bad you originally said, “There was nothing offensive or wrong with what Phil said.” Not that you weren’t personally offended. But again, Klansmen are seldom offended by racist jokes either.

<font color=“blue”>You want serious debate?</font>

How bout one remotly related to the topic?

<font color=“blue”>Ya shoulda posted it in GD after all. If you’re going to put it in the Pit, don’t be surprised when it turns into something else.</font>

Great, another fucking Moderator wannabe.

<font color=“blue”>You’ve been around for a while, you should know that.</font>

And you have been around long enough to at least understand the concept of “topic”. Did that sound patronizing? Good.

<font color=“blue”>I don’t think that wanting to stop a maniacal driver from terrorizing everyone on the road can be considered road rage, no matter what said maniacal driver is driving.</font>

But it still can’t be called “defensive driving”. Do you even read your own posts? How bout, “aggressive driving”? Better?

<font color=“blue”>“As far as helmet laws go: It’s your head.”</font>

My point exactly.

93

First of all, EvilGhandi, since you seem to understand the riposte of the inarticulate: Fuck you.

Now:

So you’re saying assuming that although I own a motorcycle and that I enjoy riding on it, I still can’t be serious about liking motorcycles, because obviously, being a bike bitch is the thing to be, so I’m clearly posing, right? Ooooooookay.

Yup. I wannabe able to ride alongside my husband instead of always hanging out on the backseat. Having a child doesn’t make it as easy for the two of us to just hop on the bike and go for a ride whenever we want. I wannabe able to ride by myself. Congratulations on being born with your legs wrapped around a tank. Some of us actually have to learn things, though, so I’ll thank you to act like the responsible and enthusiastic rider you claim to be. Why don’t you offer some tips? Or maybe something as simple as “I remember when I first learned…you’re gonna love it.”

Precisely. Had you actually comprehended Phil’s post, you’d know that he was adding a good measure of sarcasm.

Racism seems to be a personal issue with you, because you keep making reference to it. It’s something that you really should confront.

Unless I missed something, I believe that I offered my opinion on helmet laws in both of my posts. Anyway, if you want to talk about the OP so badly, why are you carrying on talking about the other stuff that came up?

Yup. Sent my “application” to TubaDiva quite awhile ago, actually.

Actually, no. I’ve been scorched by far better flames…by Phil, for one. Oh, and, unless I missed something, I believe that I offered my opinion on helmet laws in both of my posts. Anyway, if you want to talk about the OP so badly, why are you carrying on talking about the other stuff that came up? Like this:

Clearly, you’re engaging in this semi-related conversation of your own volition. You know what my opinion is, so I really don’t think I need to say it again.

So what’s your trouble?

“…all the prettiest girls live in Des Moines…”
–Jack Kerouac, On the Road

94

The sound you hear is me banging my head against my keyboard. Proofread, you dumb bitch, proofread!!

“…all the prettiest girls live in Des Moines…”
–Jack Kerouac, On the Road

95

Face it Chris, you came in here looking for a fight, so I made a half-assed effort to oblige you. Your post contained factual errors, was appologistic and just a tad condescending. I was just doing my part by pointing that out for you.

Fact is I was the one trying to back the rabid bikers off Phil. Your post was directly under it, take a look. The guy above me was expressing his desire to do something unkind to his hiney. A few others stated similar desires. I felt we were straying a little off topic and tried to change the course of the conversation.

But no, you hadda come in here and defend the guy (quite a bit less effectively than he was doing himself) With a lame, any reasonable person would know “I will run you off the road and kill you” is a joke angle. Face it, it was a death threat and patently offensive. No amount of backpedaling or trying to minimize it will make it less so.

As to your claim of contributing your thoughts on the OP, Here they are,

“Wear a helmet, don’t wear a helmet. Just don’t be a dick”

And

“As far as helmet laws go: It’s your head.”

I can see why you referred to me as “inarticulate”, how could I ever hope to achieve the eloquence of your style?

Hell I even made an effort to purty up my flame by using those high falutin html codes us inarticulate louts have so much trouble with. I was so disappointed when your reply consisted of the tired, “corporate lawyer style”, cut and paste the sentence, then attempt to dissect the content format. That moderator app still pending?

Where you got the idea I was a “responsible and enthusiastic rider” is beyond me. Tell ya what, get your bike license and at least 500 miles under you. Then Fly out here to the Aloha State and I will take you and your ol’ man on a round the island putt. Fair nuff?

96

Zero dollar head? Zero dollar helmet.

You know what I call folks on a motorcycle without a helmet?

Organ donors.

Best!
Byz

97

My favorite picture is the one with the guy and girl wearing helmets, shorts, sandals, bathing suits, and tank tops. Duh!

98

I don’t go anywhere “looking for a fight”, sweetie. I just happen to find myself in situations involving people who just can’t let things go.

Maybe it would do you good to just turn off your computer, put on your jacket and go for a ride.

“…all the prettiest girls live in Des Moines…”
–Jack Kerouac, On the Road

99

Sorry Byz,

Unfortunately there was a grand total of 2100 fatalities (source NTSB) involving motorcycle riders last year. 47% of those fatalities were riders wearing helmets. From this data it becomes apparent that unhelmeted riders do little to reduce the demand for human organs.

Your remark is nothing more than uninformed wisecrack.

100

Hmmm - don’t you have to factor in the percentages of “helmet users contra bare-headed riders involved in accidents” before you deduce anything from that statistic ?

FTR, I’m a Scandinavian and we do have helmet laws. If you decide you don’t want to wear one, you look up a cooperative M.D. and get a certificate stating that your claustrophobia prevents you from wearing a helmet. No big deal. You’ll get pulled over a couple of times, flaunt your medical certificate and ride off again.

Of course, helmet laws have made helmet-less riding a trademark of (idiot) outlaw bikers. Since very few wants to associate with that particular crowd, almost everybody else wears helmets. Well, riding in our sort of weather, you need some sort of headgear most of the time anyway - and I’m not talking sunburn protection.

Frankly, I don’t have a problem with helmet laws - wearing a helmet seems to be a very sensible thing to do. And if the law saves an idiot teenage rider from himself, so much the better.

On a personal note, I might add that I look better in a helmet anyway, especially a full-face one. As a matter of fact, I usually wear full leathers & a back protector as well.

I just know I’ll regret posting in the Pit…