I have been riding for over 30 years. I work in an emergency room. Let me tell you here and now, it is RARE that we get a motorcyclist in that has not been drinking, drugging or driving like an idiot. Safe, responsible bikers rarely get hurt.

I love seeing these guys who wear the so-called "brain bucket" helmet while cruising around in a tee-shirt, shorts and sneakers.  It's smart to protect your brain so you'll know just how much agony you'll be in when half your flesh is removed by the pavement as you slide down the road.  I've ridden big bikes, medium bikes, and I'm currently using a 110cc scooter to commute to work.  Some people suggest that being it's only 110cc you don't need to wear all the gear.  To those people I suggest the following:  Take a ride in the back of a pickup wearing your shorts and sandals and a tee shirt.  No helmet needed.  Have the driver get up to 25-30 mph.  Good.  Now just dive off the truck into the middle of the road.  Wish you had on at least some protective gear now?

I live in NH, the Live Free or Die state, that has never required a motorcycle helmet.  Intelligent riders still wear one along with the appropriate protective gear.  Kids wear helmets to ride bicycles today.  Why anyone would cruise down the highway at speeds upwards of 100 MPH or more not wearing a helmet, and wearing only a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, is beyond me.  They clearly have a death wish.  Personally, I have no problem with freedom of choice.  I say let them not wear a helmet much like I don't care if someone wears their seat belt.  Just have the law state that they can't sue the other driver for their injuries (or death) when they get into an accident.  They took the risk, the rest of us shouldn't have to pay for it. 

This is nothing but a joke... People want to blame anyone but themselves.. meanwhile their kid drives into the back of a big-rig or into a tree..(While on a cell).  Or any of the other things Cage drivers Do. You act as if because we RIDE a bike we have no care about the value of our lives... THAT Couldn't Be Farther From The TRUTH! The Fact is if your in a cage you feel safe and dont care so much.. Point and case.. Mothers driving SUVs and have never done one sport related thing with it...(other than taking the kids to a game) You plaster the cell phones on the side of your head that stop the ability to turn and look...as if you ever would..then you say "the biker came out of nowhere", not stating that you did not even look to see if someone was in that lane before you changed into it. OR you say "i did not hear a bike".. over my surround sound system that i have going in my CAGE.. and YET  you gripe when a bike is too loud... WOW  i have over 37 years of riding under my belt and ill tell you that Helmets are what i use in the city. because you have to ride like every one of them cages on 4 wheels is going to PLOW you down without a bit of thought. If you want the death rate to drop down Stop talking to your kids or friends on the phone.. and STOP letting you CHILD buy a bike because it is better on Gas.Because you will pay it out in Medical Bills Instead. Brain Meets Wrist.. and Stupid Should Hurt more!!! LEARN AND TERACH BETTER LIFE VALKUES AND THEN THIS MIGHT LESSEN THE PAIN. But as always there will be the " I always pay attention to the road,as you  text a reply to this comment, while driving a car... and im hoping your alone ... so no other person has to pay for your ...Lack of ..........well you know what you wish you had. POINT BLANK  It is a choice! and you somehow think if you feel it is unsafe or wrong I should not be doing it... BUT  you will plow me down.. and make laws so you feel better with someone you know acts like a fool on the road! .. Ps you really should look in the morgue and see how many of the biker deaths result in BROKEN NECKS . the helmet wont stop that but causes it if you do not know the proper way to fall. Rolling into a ball if what a fool does!!!   Pss  Mike LMAO  Do you feel like a BIG MAN now that you have put someone else down because the were making a point... you need to have a disability like me!!! and have those problems... but we are all quick to judge others and never ever spend one second looking at it from their view.How sad
Well all Please Take care EVERYWHERE... LIVES CAN NOT BE RESET .. Someone else being a fool could kill you and GAME OVER!!!

29% alcohol/35% speeding....Lets see that leaves 71% non alcohol and 65% non speeding!  Whats your point?

I can gaurantee from the many years I have riding tyhat the majority are the result of piss poor auto drivers that are as inept as children most of the time.  The new rider is allways at risk for a while until they have experianced enough conflicts with the road to know how to react when needed.  The current auto is too far removed from the consentration needed while riding a motorcycle that it makes drivers lazy and inatentive to the situation around the vehicle and unaware of the cycelist.  The Motorcyclist must allways be on gaurd for the other vehclies/trucks road trash, spilled liquids (oil/gas/ paints, roof tar ect.), birds as well as the dust rocks and pebbels the inhabit every road in the world.  The times that I have been forced off my bikes have not been the result of speeding or alcohol, but inept drivers in there cages concerned with every thing but the most dangerous thing most will ever do in their lives..... drive an automobile!  How many states require a practicle safety course in order to get a drivers licence?   I believe many states have that required to get cycle licence.   Sorry for spelling errors. spell check tells me there are 11 mistakes but not where or how I can change them and I dfon't have the time or realy care at this point.  I'm going rideing!