MINNESOTA:Reader's view: Writer of motorcycle helmet letter should check facts

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/173624/group/Opinion/ Reader's view: Writer of motorcycle helmet letter should check facts

I would like to respond to “Only education, not helmets, can save motorcyclists’ lives,” which ran in the June 9 paper. I would like to try to straighten out some misinformation from the writer, Andrew R. Mathiassen, about education saving more lives then helmets.

The remark from the District 6 director of ABATE of Wisconsin, a motorcycle rights and safety organization, that helmets are just pieces of plastic, was a gross misstatement. I have ridden thousands of miles on a Gold Wing with a Snell-approved helmet made of fiberglass that has to pass rigid tests before it can bear the “Raring Snell Rating.” Yes, Harley Davidson helmets are just plastic, and all the education in the world will not help someone whose head is spread all over the highway because Harley helmets are known to pop off with very little movement after loss of control of a motorcycle. I don’t believe Mathiassen should make a statement like helmets are just pieces of plastic when he should know better due to his position.

Also, Sturgis is not the only rally that attracts thousands of riders. The Gold Wing Road Riders Association also attracts thousands of riders.

Writers should please check their figures before making off-the-cuff statements that simply are not true. Safe riding to all of us lovers of motorcycles.

Dick Clark

Duluth