Michigan’s Motorcycle riders' opinions differ on possible helmet law changes

OFF THE WIRE
THOMAS TWP. — Some say it’s about the freedom to choose, while others say it’s about safety, but the yearslong fight on Michigan’s motorcycle helmet law wages on.

For 42 years, Michigan law has required riders to wear an approved U.S. Department of Transportation helmet when riding on public roads. There are 20 other states with laws requiring all bikers to wear helmets.

Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed similar repeal bills in 2006 and 2008. Some bikers’ rights advocates are hoping a new administration will change things.

Vince Consiglio, president of the 20,000-member Michigan chapter of American Bikers Aiming Toward Education, or ABATE, said his group is about safety and choice.

“Part of our goal is to increase safety, and we’ve always stood for safety and motorcycle rights,” Consiglio said. “We think an adult motorcyclist should be able to decide what gear they think they should wear.”

Opponents of the repeal say the issue isn’t about choice but about the safety of the growing number of motorcycle riders.
Ron and Jennifer Clor, owners of Clor Cycle, an independent motorcycle shop at 125 S. Miller in Thomas Township, say people should have the right to choose to wear a helmet. Both have been through motorcycle accidents and say they will continue to wear helmets regardless of the law.

“Most people say it should be their choice, and I agree, but I worry it will somehow come back to hit me in the wallet, whether it be through increased motorcycle registration fees or insurance,” Jennifer Clor said.

The Michigan Traffic Safety Information Council reports hospital stays are longer for unhelmeted riders, and the cost to taxpayers is significantly higher since many motorcyclists are uninsured.

Jennifer Clor, who has a metal rod in her right leg as a result of her 2002 motorcycle accident, said she’s grateful she had her helmet on that day. She founded the Sirens Motorcycle Club for women, which, among other events, hosts frequent safety refresher courses.

Ron Clor keeps his damaged helmet as a reminder of his crash 10 years ago. It was a sunny afternoon, and he was on his way home from work when a driver T-boned him, breaking his collarbone and sending him flying.

“I wear my helmet whether I’m in a state that requires it or not. It’s my choice,” Clor said. “I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t had my helmet on.”

Consiglio, who for more than three decades has taught motorcycle safety, said ABATE has fought for years to continue funding for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation training programs that have already educated more than 60,000 students.

“The focus should be on motorcycle safety and education,” he said. “Most fatalities are cause by unlicensed motorcycle drivers.”
Helmet laws didn’t necessarily determine whether a state would have few or many fatalities.

In Illinois, a state with no helmet law, 121 people people died in motorcycle accidents in 2008, the same as Michigan, while 48 deaths occurred in Iowa, another state where there is no helmet law. A total of 537 motorcycle accident fatalities happened in California, where more than 824,000 motorcycles were registered with the DMV and where the law requires all riders to wear a helmet.

Consiglio said it’s not just bikers who would benefit from the change. An independent study commissioned by ABATE found more than $1.2 billion would flow into Michigan through the sale of new motorcycles, parts, accessories and increased tourism.
“We feel it’s a great economic loss,” he said.

ABATE has planned a Wednesday rally at the Capitol to push for the approval of the legislation.

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/06/motorcycle_riders_opinions_dif.html