I'm a free marketeer. Really, but motorcycles and especially helmetless motorcylcists annoy me. Here's why. Suppose that gold-plating cars became a status symbol. And lots of people did it. But now, the average fender bender generated $80,000 in repair bills. What would happen? Insurance rates would skyrocket, and speed limits would probably come down.
Now, you might say, well, only if it's your fault would your insurance company have to pay the $80,000 to fix the gold-plated car. But no one's perfect. There are potholes, black ice, faulty brakes, etc. Right now, the expectation is that an average wreck will se the insurance company back a few thousand in property damage (there are also medical fees, but these would not be any different if a third of the cars were gold plated). In gold plated world, property damage would be significantly higher.
So back to motorcycles. I feel the same way about motorcycles as I would about gold plated cars. They cause the insurance rates to skyrocket for everyone else. If I'm in a 35 mph rear-ender with another car, it'll probably cost about $15,000 in damage to fix both cars, give or take. And whatever whiplash or whatever. But if I rear-end a motorcycle at 35 mph, the medical bills are probably going to be through the roof. Yes, I know all about personal responsibility and all, but there's still an expectation when driving about the damage that is a potential. At 65 mph, there's no guarantee that there's going to be no pothole, black ice, a sudden backup, whatever. You drive with these expectations in mind.
Think about it. If every fender bender were going to cause $80,000 in property damage, would you drive in the same manner as you do now? How is the motorcycle any different from a gold plated car?
good analogy
Have you considered that your argument can be understood that driving cars is dangerous to other people? Why not mandate motorcyles for all personal trans then you reduce gas consumption greatly (50 to 100 mpg), serious accidents, and property taxes. Having been a motorcycle rider, I learned early that the most dangerous thing to a motorcycle was car driver paying no attention. I always gave myself a dump out option and always watched car's front tires rather than there turn lights. There is something strange that happens where car drivers don't see motorcycles. One other point, your illustration of car on car impacts doesn't account for disparate height and weight of cars. I would not like to take a 40 mph impact on the drivers door of a Honda, but could easily handle it with a Ford Pickup.
Maybe if you were a competent driver you wouldn't be rear-ending people, it's not the gold plated cars causing the high insurance rates it's inattentive people causing accidents.
" They cause the insurance rates to skyrocket for everyone else."
Ah, the solution to socialist system created problems is fascist legislation. Got it. Nothing to see here, move along....