Free Republic

The unending search for equity in Democrat enclaves has now come for the bike helmet. When the King County Board of Health (which encompasses Seattle) discovered that Black, Indigenous, and other “People of Color,” along with homeless people, were getting more citations for biking without a helmet, equity compelled action: So the Board of Health repealed the bike helmet law, ensuring that this particular inequity would end even as it increases the possibility of serious head injuries for people of all colors and housing situations. In 1993, almost 30 years ago, the King County Board of Health passed a law...

AB508 would require moped riders to register their vehicles at the DMV (oh, joy!), pay a new Government Regulation Tax (license fee) and wear a government-approved safety helmet all under penalty of law. Yet another example of the nanny state running amok under Democrat leadership in the Legislature while Nevada continues to “enjoy” the nation’s highest unemployment and foreclosure rates. And some people want these busy-body yahoos to meet EVERY YEAR? Alas, as is all too often the case, we have some nanny-state Republicans who are only too happy to vote with Democrats to force adult citizens in the supposedly...

California's motorcycle helmet law has been declared unconstitutionally vague by a Santa Cruz County judge because the California Highway Patrol has not adopted adequate helmet regulations. NBC11 News has learned the state attorney general is appealing the rulling to the 6th district court of appeals. A.G. spokesman Tom Dressler told NBC11's Monte Francis, "The bottom line is that the California Highway Patrol is going to enforce the helmet laws it always has." He also said the judge's ruling is only binding in Santa Cruz. Superior Court Judge Michael Barton issued the ruling on Tuesday in the case of Aptos resident...

State Motorcycle Helmet Law Ruled Unconstitutional (BCN) California's motorcycle helmet law has been declared unconstitutionally vague by a Santa Cruz County judge because the California Highway Patrol has not adopted adequate helmet regulations. Superior Court Judge Michael Barton issued the ruling on Tuesday in the case of Aptos resident Richard Quigley, 61. Quigley received nine citations from Watsonville police and the CHP in 2003 and 2004 for violating the state's helmet law. On all but one of those occasions he was wearing headgear that was embroidered with the letters "DOT," a certification of compliance with federal Department of Transportation standards,...

Virginia May Drop Motorcycle Helmet Law POSTED: 8:35 am EST February 6, 2006 UPDATED: 8:49 am EST February 6, 2006 RICHMOND, Va. -- A House of Delegates committee has endorsed a measure that would lift Virginia's motorcycle helmet law for operators and passengers age 21 years and older. The bill -- now bound for the full House -- is sponsored by William Janis of Henrico. He said helmet wearing should be optional for motorcycle enthusiasts.

CHP, Aptos man square off over state's motorcycle helmet law by daniel lopez sentinel staff writer WATSONVILLE — The case that has an Aptos man and the California Highway Patrol squaring off in a legal battle over the state's motorcycle helmet law will be heard by the state's Sixth District Court of Appeals. The appellate court in San Jose issued a stay Thursday on a ruling made by a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge stating that traffic tickets issued to Richard Quigley, 61, for riding his motorcycle without a helmet are correctable violations. And the court agreed to hear...

Senate passes bill to let bikers ride without helmets 3/17/2005, 12:08 p.m. ET By DAVID EGGERT The Associated Press LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to let motorcyclists ride without helmets if they are at least 21 years old and meet other requirements. After nearly two hours of debate, the Senate — which in the past has refused to change the state's mandatory helmet law — voted 21-13 to send the bill to the House. The legislation would repeal parts of the 36-year-old law, letting riders 21 and older go without helmets if they...

Should there be a mandatory motorcycle helmet law in Wisconsin? Link to Poll Left side of screen.

Second Thoughts By William W. Lawrence Pennsylvania lawmakers won one and lost one in recent days. They appear to be doing a neat end-run around federal blackmailers who are demanding that Pennsylvania lower its blood alcohol limit from 0.10 to .08 percent. Pennsylvania legislators must pass a law lowering the limit by Oct. 1, 2003 to avoid losing $11.9 million in federal highway funds withheld in 2004. So they will. What it apparently calls for is simply a wake-up call with just minor penalties for those nailed driving with a blood alcohol content of between .08 percent and 0.10.But the...

Helmets: Senate, Engler should follow House's lead and back repeal Surprises are not uncommon at the State Capitol. Pleasant surprises, though, are rare. So, Michigan residents who take personal responsibility and freedom seriously should cheer the House of Representatives' vote Wednesday to repeal the state's mandatory motorcycle helmet law. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders won't soon be able to choose for themselves whether to use a helmet. The unusual coalition of Democrats and Republicans that passed House Bill 4823 is unlikely to be replicated in the Senate. And Gov. John Engler has stated his opposition to repeal. These public officials remain entrenched...