Letter to the Editor: Bikers, a call to action

3 mins read

The Maine Legislature is attempting to pass a Motorcycle Helmet Law (LD453) that would require all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets. This bill was presented by Rep. Beaudoin of Biddeford and sponsored by Senator Bowman of York and Representatives Briggs of Mexico, Casavant of Biddeford, Connor of Kennebunk, Goode of Bangor, Pratt of Eddington, Tuttle of Sandford and Valentino of Saco.

I bought my first motorcycle in 1958 and I have owned half dozen motorcycles since then. It is my experience that most motorcycle accidents result from one of three causes: a rider acting irresponsibly, an inexperience rider, or an automobile driver not paying attention to the motorcyclist – usually at an intersection.

The United Bikers of Maine and the Maine Motorcyclist Political Action Committee have addressed the first two causes by supporting legislations requiring motorcycle safety training for all new bikers. There are only five states in the country that require motorcycle training and Maine has led the way.

The results have been positive. In 1998 there were 25,000 licensed motorcyclists in Maine and that year there were 15 motorcycle fatalities. In 2008 there were 50,000 licensed motorcyclists in Maine and last year there were 16 fatalities. Statistically this is a 50 percent decrease per capita in motorcycle fatalities. Of these 16 fatalities we do not know how many were the results of head injuries, neck and spinal cord injuries, blunt trauma or internal injuries. The belief that motorcycle helmets prevent accidents is false, and the jury is still out on the question of helmets actually increasing the chance of neck and spinal cord injuries.

The United Bikers of Maine, the Motorcycle Political Action Committee and most all of the biker groups in the state believe that we should “EDUCATE NOT LEGISLATE.”

The motorcycle community can be a powerful voting block in this state. Most of us have influence with many non-riders, community organizations and commercial businesses that we support. We must all become politically active to protect our right from legislators who are philosophically opposed to bikers and wish to legislate against us. We must note these legislators and oppose them at their next election.

Riders and non-riders alike please immediately contact your state legislators and voice your opposition to LD453.

LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE.

Spring is here and the start of our season on the road. Ride heads up bros – there are potholes, frost heaves and sand on the road. Slow down, ride safe.
 

William Gilliland
Farmington
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10 Comments

  1. I got hit by a biker once with no helmet. The police and paramedics said if he had been wearing a helmet his injuries would have been lighter. This was not my fault but because he had no insurance the claims got paid by my insurance. Next year my insurance went up! So no I do not support your thinking. There are a lot of responsible riders out there. Most of these wear helmets. But there are also a lot of arrogant loud riders out there and most of these do not act responsibly.

  2. well let me see, to much goverment? look at all the helmets you can sell, plus the tickets for not wearing a helmet! i forgot to put mine on my glasses one time in mass , got busted and pay the fine, dontcha get it !!!!!!!its a way to get money out of the pockets of those few that are trying to conserve gas by riding a motrcyle. here in north carolina they put up road blocks and try to get you for absolutely anything , get this even if you havent paid your dump taxes, let alone seat belts , riding with out your lights on when your wipers are on, the list goes for ever, down here we call the police ( there only here to protect you) revenuers. There was a state police officer one nite in my comunity , A CROSS ROADS AND 2 STORES and harressed the folks driving through for 3 hours, Everyone in the community that saw him called 911. this is the goverment we voted for? You better watch every right you got . we are losing them little by little., oh yeah we cannt by pistol ammo in the walmarts down here , they claim you they cannt get it, is it that way in maine too?

  3. i support the united bikers of maine in their opposition to this bill. i hope it fails in the legislature.

  4. I think that the state should pass the helmet law. While they are at it they should also make you wear seat belts, have air bags, rotating yellow light on the back and strobing headlights too. Don’t forget to only allow motorcycles to be on the road during day light hours.
    Where does all these laws that are for OUR protection end?

  5. Whats this state coming to? Seems there’s more and more restrictions out there than ever. Some of these laws are being made over night without any regard to a vote, or the people who live in this once, “Great State of Maine.” It should be up to the rider if He/She wears a helmet. I do personally Feel eye protection should be required.

  6. How many times does the legislature have to bring up this idea? Do they not have enough to do but harass those making decisions that effect themselves? I say its time to get rid of the entire body and start over from scratch.

  7. Admin logging in for Peter:

    Has anyone really contended that helmets would PREVENT accidents?
    Helmets will help to reduce the severity of head injuries due to abrasion and laceration but will do little or nothing to protect the head from blunt trauma.
    Motorcyclists are essentially recreationists. They equate riding with freedom and enjoying nature.
    Personally, I don’t think you should play in the road. Want to enjoy nature? Take off your clothes and walk in the woods. No bugs in your teeth.
    Peter Smith

  8. Admin logging in for Rosetta:

    Is it really necessary for the Legislature to have to pass this law when
    Only common sense should tell all you motorcycle riders out there how truly dangerous it can be to ride one of these machines without all necessary safety protection including helmets.
    Personally I hope the law passes this time.it never should have ever been outlawed in the first place.
    I cringe every time I see a rider without a helmet.
    After all are you any different than the rest of the motor vehicle drivers who by law have to wear seat belts or your own children who are required to wear bike helmets to ride a bicycle which is a 100 times safer than one of those machines.
    Shouldn’t adults be an example for there children?think about it.
    Oh, by the way, I am a non- rider but concerned about the safety and welfare of those who do ride.
    Rosetta Pinkham
    Strong, Maine

  9. Eay fix. Mandate that every rider who does not wear a helmet gets an organ donors sticker on their license.
    A win win

  10. I think they should pass a helmet law. Based on the purported fact that helmets reduce injury and thereby reduce the cost of a mishap. Of course the helmet law that is passed should not be limited to motorcycles. Automobiles, yes I mean cars and trucks, have far greater actual number of mishaps. Therefore, if drivers and passengers in all automobiles were required to wear helmets then head injuries could be reduced and thereby reduce the cost of the mishap. Just look at all the racing sports. All of the race car drivers wear helmets so they must be safer. Oh they wear fire retardant suits too. While we are in the process of legislating safety into the lives of the masses we should also legislate that all vehicles be painted florescent orange and have reflective striping. I promise that if one starts introducing this kind of legislation aimed at automobiles there will be an enormous outcry not just from the public, but from the automobile industry as well. Or perhaps the government should concern itself with more important and pertinent matters such as reducing taxes and improving the economy.

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