Motorcyclists want to be 'heard, not hurt'

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.onlinesentinel.com/opinion/letters/motorcyclists-want-to-be-_heard-not-hurt__2010-06-15.htmlMotorcyclists want to be 'heard, not hurt'

Posted: 12:00 AM Morning Sentinel Staff

Where is the common sense in our government?

Front page of Monday, June 14, Morning Sentinel: "Police set sights on loud pipes." Front page of the local section: "Man dies in Route 2 accident."

While some say the pipes are too loud, many others and I believe there's a good reason for them to be loud: Loud pipes save lives.

As it is, people not only don't notice motorcycles, they don't get held responsible for the damage they do when they cause accidents with bikes.

A couple of local accidents, one in Winslow and another in Skowhegan, involving a motorcycle and car, resulted in no citations to the cars' drivers, even though they seemed to be at fault. The Winslow accident resulted in injuries to the biker.

So if the world can't see what's happening right in front of them, I believe we have to do all we can to be noticed so as not to be run down. Not only are our rights neglected by these people being not held responsible, but motorcycle operators just want to protect themselves by being heard, not hurt!

And the paper always makes a point to say, "He didn't have a helmet on." Well, we shouldn't have to be wrapped in Bubble Wrap to ride because of everyone else.

Norman Martitz

Clinton