No helmet riders seen in MI

[al v]

Michigan just passed a law allowing for no helmets. Went for a short ride this evening. Of the dozen or so bikes I passed, probably half were taking advantage of their new right to not wear a helmet.

My personal choice is to wear my helmet. From what I've seen in other no helmet states, I'm guessing I will soon be one of the very few with a helmet.  

Now everyone can see that I'm the not so cool guy that cares about safety.

This also got me to thinking about some recent news stories.... Seems like every time the news reports a fatalty involving a rider without a helmet, they are sure to make that a point, as if the outcome can now be dismissed as the riders fault. That's not right.

My non motorcycle friends are always quick to point out every cycle injury/death, I can hear them now if the news uses the new law to start reporting more accidents.  As if I'm not already keenly aware of the dangers...

I respect everyone's right to choose. Helmet or no helmet, everyone stay safe. There are some bad drivers out there!

[junior]

its called CHOICE...............it like eatting hot sauce and getting heartburn, or scrompping without a condom. dont make the hemetless out to be "the bad guy" in the motorcycle world. i for one dont wear one and i know the consiquences of it and am willing to accept them if and when they come. and i dont bash on anyone for wearing one. and if you really want to look at stats about saftey, do you wear a saftey harness while in the bathtub? cause the leading cause of death in the home is the dreaded slip and fall in the shower.......................

[Momz]

I workrd the ABATE booth a swapmeet yesterday. I heard stories of cops pulling over helmetless riders and asking to see their licence and proof of insurance.

Proof of insurance does not show how much "medical coverage" one has,...only that you have insurance.
A drivers licence will only show that you are or aren't endorsed,...not that you have two or more years of experience or have had a safety course.

It is quite obvious that there are a lot of uninformed cops out on the streets, or cops that just want to harass bikers. What a sad state of affairs!

[cookiedough]

so do you need medical expense on your cycle insurance in MI?

If so, how much and personally that is a stupid rule.  I do not have medical insurance on my cycle since the ONLY people I ever will take riding on back is my family and we have medical insurance in case we get injured thru work so not needed extra on a cycle.  Dumb rule. 

As far as helmets mandated must wear on cycle, it should be your choice not a law just like wearing seat belts in a car I feel.  O.K. - let me have it all you safety crazy people out there telling me not wearing a seat belt is a dumb idea.   Both are a good idea to wear, but neither should be required to wear.  My .02 cents.

[Romeo]

Does the new law stipulate a minimum medical coverage for non helmet riders? I'm asking, because I don't know. I have absolutely no problem with people riding without wearing a helmet. I just dont want to subsidize their medical care with my insurance premiums.

[Momz]

MI's helmet law now says that a rider needs a minimum of 20K in medical insurance. But most riders have far in excess of 20K. Those that don't have the insurance now, probably didn't have it before the helmet law was modified.

Several newspapers had carried a syndicated article that falsely indicated that wearing helmets prevented accidents. Just how does wearing a helmet keep a car from turning left in front of you in an intersection?

[Momz]

"Does the new law stipulate a minimum medical coverage for non helmet riders? I'm asking, because I don't know. I have absolutely no problem with people riding without wearing a helmet. I just dont want to subsidize their medical care with my insurance premiums."

In MI owners of any and all registered vehicles pay into the MCCA fund. So we all pay for the medical costs of accident victims in one way. But motorcycles are not fully covered, yet pay the same amount as other vehicles. A motorcyclist can only collect if he is in an accident with a car or truck. Hitting a deer, running off the road, or colliding with another motorcycle, gives you no coverage.

[Romeo]

I understand that we all already pay into the fund to cover those of us that disrespect our laws. I am afraid that the amount we pay will inevitably increase because now we will have uninsured cyclists riding without helmets, being in accidents, and having there medical care for "more severe" injuries being paid for by the "the fund" that my insurance costs help to fund.

[Momz]

Several newspapers had carried a syndicated article that falsely indicated that wearing helmets prevented accidents. Just how does wearing a helmet keep a car from turning left in front of you in an intersection?

Hows that for negative press/propaganda?

[cookiedough]

A little confused still:  I do not have any medical expense coverage endorsed on my cycle insurance.  However, we do have well over 20K in medical payments for our family thru our employer.  Does this count?  If my employer health insurance for medical payments covers our family and I ride with ONLY our family on my cycle, how is the cops going to know I have health care insurance thru our employer if it counts for the 20K medical expense payments new MI law?

I see absolutely NO reason to get an extra 20K in medical expense payments for me and my passengers on my cycle insurance ONLY if I take my family who is already covered for medical payments if I or my family member get injured on my cycle.

[al v]

Hope this helps...

Here a link to the Michigan State Police Update on the law.

"Public Act 98"

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/MSP_Legal_Update_No._95_382335_7.pdf

"officers may not stop a motorcycle operator for not wearing a helmet based on the mere possibility the operator or passenger may not be exempt from the requirement to wear a helmet."

"the law does not require a motorcycle operator or passenger carry proof of the $20,000 security required to operate or ride a motorcycle without a helmet."

"MCL 257.658 does not require a motorcycle operator to carry proof that he or she has possessed a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years or has successfully passed the motorcycle safety course."

For the driver: "The operator has in effect a security for the first-party medical benefits payable if he or she is involved in a motorcycle crash for at least $20,000 for the operator or $20,000 per person if the operator is carrying an additional passenger and the passenger does not have at least $20,000 security"

For the passenger: "The passenger has in effect at least a $20,000 security for the first party medical benefits payable if he or she is involved in a motorcycle accident or the operator of the motorcycle has in effect a security that covers the operator and the passenger for at least $20,000 per person"

[Phil57]

Everyone should check with there health insurance coverage through there employer. Mine has alway required me to carry medical coverage on my auto and cycle policy. Auto insurance is a first pay on my policy. I work for a large company with health coverage with Blue Cross.
I would have to double check but I believe I have 100,000 in medical an my premium is around 350 a year.

[cookiedough]

Good idea to check with all of our employer's health insurance to see if it is required to have medical expense on our auto/cycle policies.  Wouldn't surprise me with our Dean Care HMO policy if there is a loophole somewhere requiring medical expense on auto/home/cycle policy first and ONLY 2nd pay thru Dean Care health insurance.  This past year, our HMO rates thru work have gone up some but the worst part is the darn deductibles and especially the out of pocket expense has gone up terribly before insurance kicks in.  Blood sucking insurance companies want us to bleed thru the nose before they cover anything unless get into say a 5K or more accident, might as well not have any health insurance nowadays if you ask me unless serious medical issue or serious accident happens otherwise for us anyways, not worth paying thru the eyes, ears, nose and throat until we bleed to death.  I'm fighting a 25 dollar co-pay they charged us for a follow up visit when all the specialists did was look into my ear for 10 seconds, sent me on my way, and said come back in another 2 days.  To charge for an office visit at 110 bucks for less than 30 second look nothing else is crazy.  Got a letter from debt collection agency to pay by a certain date otherwise will affect our perfect credit rating.   I sent a nice letter to the CEO of Dean Care last Friday telling him what I thought of their policy and procedures.

[fudgie]

I understand that we all already pay into the fund to cover those of us that disrespect our laws. I am afraid that the amount we pay will inevitably increase because now we will have uninsured cyclists riding without helmets, being in accidents, and having there medical care for "more severe" injuries being paid for by the "the fund" that my insurance costs help to fund.

So how is this different then uninsured drivers of cars/trucks? I'm sure MI and every other State has uninsured, helmet wearing, mc wrecks. So its ok to 'fund' them but not others? 

[Romeo]

I understand that we all already pay into the fund to cover those of us that disrespect our laws. I am afraid that the amount we pay will inevitably increase because now we will have uninsured cyclists riding without helmets, being in accidents, and having there medical care for "more severe" injuries being paid for by the "the fund" that my insurance costs help to fund.

So how is this different then uninsured drivers of cars/trucks? I'm sure MI and every other State has uninsured, helmet wearing, mc wrecks. So its ok to 'fund' them but not others? 

I don't think we should fund anyone who doesn't carry the required insurance, for any vehicle. Why should I pay for someone elses stupidity???

[Toledo Mark]

I will admit I always wear my helmet, law or not.  BUT I NEVER WEAR MY SEATBELT ON MY VALK.  I WON'T BE CUAGHT DEAD WITH A SEATBELT ON WHILE ON THE VALK.

[LandElephant]

I don't have MI insurance so here's my question: Is this coverage what is called Automotive Liability Insurance (Bodily Injury)? Oris this going to be another line item?

If it is then is the minimum going to be $40,000?  Two riders at $20,000 a piece.

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant