Tennessee Helmet law bill to be addressed this week

[T-Bird]

Tennessee Helmet law bill to be addressed this week. A new proposal is on the agenda for this coming wednsday. It will be like many states, only riders under the age of 21 will be required to wear a helmet, and a mandatory amount of insurance to be carried by the rider.
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130226/NEWS0201/302260006/Motorcycle-helmet-could-become-optional-for-adult-riders-in-TN?nclick_check=1
  For many years southern states have been trying to repeal the current helmet laws with no luck.
I would like to see the new bill pass, when I get to a state that has no helmet laws....mine comes off. It is a personal preferance, and I would not "press" my views or thoughts on anyone...the way our government "dictates"  to us. Right now there are more states where you don't have to wear a helmet than those that do. I hope one of these days, I can leave my house on my bike and head in any direction without the worry about helmet laws and gun laws.

[Reb]

One plus about the piss poor state of Illinois, No law on helmets... I prefer to use my natural skid lid when riding as well. 

[Jabba]

I am a helmet guy... but I wholeheartedly support you guys in your choice to NOT wear one.

In that same vein, I am a gun guy, but I oppose national reciprocity.  Not to hijack... but I don't want the government telling the states they HAVE to allow carrying.  Because if they can tell them they HAVE to... they can tell them they CAN'T and that is wrong.

I see the allure of riding without a helmet.  I really do.  Once in a while I'll put around the block without one.  I probably have less than 20 miles in my LIFE sans helmets.  But I get it.  It's REAL nice.  I have bounced off the ground from a bike a couple times.  I'll wear mine, thank you very much.

And T-Bird only half counts.  He's been on borrowed time for 9+ years.  I am glad for that time too T-Bird.  You would make the short list of my favorite people. There are some others in this club as well, and probably a lot more that I have not had the pleasure of spending time with. 

Jabba

[scoot]

I agree with Jabba. I too feel more comfortable with than without. That being said if you don't want to wear a helmet I could care less. Call me a chicken, but I've fallen off a bar stool and hit my head and that hurt. I can't imagine doing it at 60 mph.  ???

[hal47]

Let the one's that ride decide.  Hi t-brid

[Hooter]

   Good Luck!     Just happened here in Michigan last year with the same conditions you stated about age and insurance. LE doesn't stop just to ck age and insurance, but if you screw up or have an accident and things aren't right they will cite you.

  I do and don't at times wear one, and when I don't, it is strange. Been riding with one since the late 60s. I had no choice on a long ride right after the law changed. My helmet strap comes across my ear and I had just had skin cancer removed from that spot. Doc said either don't go or don't wear a helmet. I was going so I didn't wear one. Again, it was strange! 

[saddlesore]

I wear a helmet but will fight for your right to decide

[fudgie]

I agree with Jabba. I too feel more comfortable with than without. That being said if you don't want to wear a helmet I could care less. Call me a chicken, but I've fallen off a bar stool and hit my head and that hurt. I can't imagine doing it at 60 mph.  ???

Maybe you shoulda had your helmet on.  Or did ya?  ???

[fudgie]

Sweet, good luck! 

[T-Bird]

One plus about the piss poor state of Illinois, No law on helmets... I prefer to use my natural skid lid when riding as well.  

Reb,
In 1968 Illinois passed the helmet law as did all other states, but it was taken to the Illinois State Supreme court and ruled as abuse of the police power, and therefore was void because it was unconstitutional.
If only they did that with guns

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

It was voted on a couple years ago as well and failed . I was watching the local news last night and they already have doctors lined up to testify and bear witness to the dangers of going without a helmet. My bet they will $hit can it again ... Hope I'm wrong cause you know I'm just like you T-Bird when I cross that stateline into a helmet free state mine comes off. I think having The Dragon does'nt help us at all with all the thousand's of flat-landers from other states the yuppie Harley riders  and the zip-splats hittin' trees everyday during their " riding season " on The Dragon .

[Pappy!]

I wear one......can hear the stereo more clearly............plus I like my head in the current shape.
Am jealous of the helmetless folks though, specially on the nice days!

[Mr Whiskey]

I'm with Joe, they'll never push it through, but one can hope!
I'd only wear it on the dirt bike, but then I do dumber S#!t on the dirt bike! Parts are cheaper.
Peace, Whiskey.

[JimmyG]

Well, I only have 12 brain cells left, so I protect them with a helmet 99% of the time, but, let the rider decide is my motto.

[Reb]

One plus about the piss poor state of Illinois, No law on helmets... I prefer to use my natural skid lid when riding as well.  

Reb,
In 1968 Illinois passed the helmet law as did all other states, but it was taken to the Illinois State Supreme court and ruled as abuse of the police power, and therefore was void because it was unconstitutional.
If only they did that with guns

If only! Chicago politics will always ruin the state of Illinois. I personally see why most folks won't travel through IL anymore with the gun laws it has. 1 more year of school and I will be out of this place. Even with the proposed new gun laws suppose to be written for IL. I for see it costing an arm an a leg to obtain a carry license

[blastedbugler]

Unfortunately someone has to end up by paying.
As an example, in Australia stores can only sell cigarettes in plain packets & cant be openly displayed.
There is no law that says you cant buy them, they are just trying to discourage people especially the young.
Ultimately it comes down to the Government cost of treating those with lung & throat cancer.
I know a senior nurse & she relates stories of motorcyclists with their tongues on their chests because they have lost their bottom jaws in a accident.
And this is in a Country where helmets are compulsory.
The accident always happens to someone else.
I rode in the 50's when helmets werent compulsory & I guess I was lucky although I just about wore a hole in the shoulder of my leather jacket.
I thought I was indestructable then.
But then to each his own as they say.
Don ( Aussie )

[PharmBoy]

As a teenager I rode a Cushman scooter without a helmet, but as an adult 99.9% of my time on two wheels has been while I was wearing some kind of helmet.  While I was playing football it never occurred to me to try it without a helmet.  However, I am pretty sure that I, along with all my team mates, would have agreed that it would have been alright for our opponents to do so if they so wished.  I still feel that way.  I even resent having to "buckle up" under penalty of law.  Almost all the freedoms of my childhood have gone to hell in a handbasket, as the old saying goes...Jim

[SANDMAN5]

I'll wear one, law or not. They've kept me alive at least
three times.

[Willow]

Unfortunately someone has to end up by paying.

Don, I have two problems with that logic.

One is the complete lack of believable statistics demonstrating that mandatory helmet laws result in a lower cost to the public at large.

The second, and more important, is that if that's the reason to require the wearing of a helmet, that exact same logic can be used to outlaw the use of motorcycles on the road entirely.

I normally wear a helmet when I ride.  I have been known to take advantage, now and the, of the helmet optional laws of my home state.   

I fully support the right of riders to decide for themselves whether to wear.   

[Duffy]

I support helmet laws. 

My skull has been saved more than once by a helmet.