She loves to ride — with a helmet

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ^ | Oct. 26, 2006 | LAWRENCE SUSSMAN

[BraveMan]

An avid motorcyclist herself, new U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters tours Harley-Davidson University, where training in motorcycle service is offered, on Thursday.


Peters (left) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration head Nicole Nason (center) talk to John Folk at the Harley-Davidson Inc. plant.

[BraveMan]

Perhaps after augering into her husband and breaking a collarbone she should consider another rider training course.

Hooligan ping . . .

[trisham]

"Cyclists have a lot of responsibility to take care of themselves," she said, but motorists also have to do a better job of sharing the road with motorcycles.

************

I guess she's never seen the way some of those "cyclists" drive. Motorists are lucky to get out of their way.

[P-40]

was something for the individual states to decide.

Actually, that is something for individuals to decide.

[antiRepublicrat]

"We don't believe that it's up to the federal government to mandate helmets,"

I don't believe it's up to any government of a free people, for helmets or seatbelts. I don't ride, but I've been wearing my seatbelt 100% of the time, even before there were seatbelt laws. It's my choice to be safe.

[Oberon]

Riding without a helmet is stupid.

A law that requires riders to wear helmets is stupid.

When in doubt, err on the side of liberty.

[Vaquero]

Nanny-state RINO's have a new Nanny......bitchin!!!!

personal freedom is going fast....watch it....watch it.

its almost gone!

[Rameumptom]

South Dakota site of the annual Sturgis rally

[digger48]

The half-dozen or so that died around here were of a degree that the helmet wouldn't have mattered.

But a wife of one, and a couple who got rearended at a stop light owe their lives to helmets.

I still agree it's a choice, though

[Vaquero]

OK lovers of liberty....do you to see something REALLY SCARRY????

YIKES!

[mutley]

Well...I ALWAYS wear my helmet. But then again, I don't ride a cruiser. I have a ZX12R ninja, and drive like a freaking maniac! So, it's prudent.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

I've been riding motorcycles since I was 14 (back in 1970) and have seen many stupid people kill and maim themselves on bikes with more power and speed that the rider had sense to control.

A smart rider takes Dirty Harry's advice - "A man's got to know his limitations." - and rides "aggressively defensive". And ALWAYS aware of the road conditions and weather; and the "cagers" on the road.

I am most gratified to see that the Transportation Secretary does not want the feds telling us to wear helmets. I do not agree that the states ought to tell to do so, however.

It is stupid to not wear a helmet on a motorcycle. But people should not be saved from their own stupidity. Eye protection should be required - a bug in the eye makes a biker a public hazard. But brain protection - optional. Let the states decide if they want to provide medical coverage for stupid people.

[Vaquero]

ZX12R ninja??


you need to relax...get a real bike....sit up straight and ride like a man. the power will be there if you need it, but whats your hurry.

[Always Right]

Do any states still allow riding without helmets?

Indiana does. Or if they don't, most riders are breaking the law.

[2right]

You are an animal! I had a ride on the back of a zx-10r a few weeks ago. I only made it to 2nd gear (120) before I indicated I had enough. I think the wheelie was worse than the speed!

[TChris]

Riding without a helmet is stupid, IMO. Driving without a seatbelt is too. But it shouldn't be illegal to make stupid personal decisions.

Seatbelt and helmet laws are the result of a the powerful insurance lobby. They lower their costs.

[Cagey]

Green= No Law Yellow= Under 18 Orange= Under 21 Red= Everyone

[mutley]

"you need to relax...get a real bike....sit up straight and ride like a man. the power will be there if you need it, but whats your hurry."

Sorry, buddy. There is just no substitute for 0 to 100 in 5.4 Really get's the adrenaline going. And the expression on people's faces when you pass at 90 on the real wheel, is priceless.

[absolootezer0]

see this chart