I was attending a meeting the other week and a gentleman spoke about the media reporting on motorcyclist not wearing helmets when involved in an accident. He was truly bothered by the media reporting no helmet use. His biggest fear was that such reporting of the situation would sway the general public to push for mandatory helmet use for all motorcyclist. He seemed to feel we should confront the media outlets and pursue stopping the reporting of helmet use.
In my many years of working to maintain motorcyclist rights I have seen the reporting to which he was referring. It used to also worry me. After more than 30 years of reading and hearing “ was not wearing a helmet” reports I have become accustomed to them.
I believe that most of the non-riding public already feels mandatory helmet usage should already be on the books. I know that even some avid motorcyclist feel we should have mandatory helmet usage laws. I no longer feel that factual reporting can change many more minds.
Rather than worry about the general public's attitude toward helmet laws, I feel we should continue to be VIGILANT of our government. Not just the Indiana State government, but the Federal government as well. If the Federal government passes a law then the States have no judicial right to counter that Federal mandate.
So I'm asking you to visit the Indiana State House during the General Assembly sessions and keep monitoring the bills introduced on the Indiana General Assembly web site ( HYPERLINK "http://www.iga.in.gov/"www.iga.in.gov). Please become a member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and sign up for their e-mail alerts.
As far as media reporting the facts, I believe as long as they report facts we should be tolerant, even if we don't like the facts.
I will pass along this fact. I always wear a helmet when I ride. But DO NOT tell me I have to and also DO NOT tell me I can't wear a helmet. It's my helmet and my choice.
Until later, RIDE far, RIDE safe, RIDE FREE and remain vigilant.
Later,
Mike Meyer
State LINC Director
