Comments for Washington Road Riders http://roadriders.org Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:10:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on 12NR07 – MRF News Release – Senate Highway Bill Passes by Larry http://roadriders.org/2012/03-16/12nr07-mrf-news-release-senate-highway-bill-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-1737 Larry Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:10:53 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=979#comment-1737 Todd, I can appreciate your dilemma concerning helmet requirements. In my eyes, the question we should be addressing is twofold. First, relying on helmet mandates as the primary approach to rider safety is a terribly misplaced course of action, based on the incorrect assumption of “safer crashing.” No amount of armor will make a crash safer, merely less damaging. The only safe crash is the one that never occurs, therefore the primary thrust of any legitimate rider safety program should address crash prevention. Second, and more important, what should be the role of government in making requirements upon citizens in the arena of personal choice? I have heard many arguments in promotion of the regulation of personal behavior. They normally fall into three categories: ignorance of the overall issue due to not being engaged in the activity in question, anecdotal data points such as your 2006 crash, and the protection of the general populace form a perceived fiscal burden. I intend to respond in more detail in a full posting in the near future, but until then, I hope that this sheds a bit of light on the issue. “Texas” Larry Todd, I can appreciate your dilemma concerning helmet requirements. In my eyes, the question we should be addressing is twofold.

First, relying on helmet mandates as the primary approach to rider safety is a terribly misplaced course of action, based on the incorrect assumption of “safer crashing.” No amount of armor will make a crash safer, merely less damaging. The only safe crash is the one that never occurs, therefore the primary thrust of any legitimate rider safety program should address crash prevention.

Second, and more important, what should be the role of government in making requirements upon citizens in the arena of personal choice? I have heard many arguments in promotion of the regulation of personal behavior. They normally fall into three categories: ignorance of the overall issue due to not being engaged in the activity in question, anecdotal data points such as your 2006 crash, and the protection of the general populace form a perceived fiscal burden.

I intend to respond in more detail in a full posting in the near future, but until then, I hope that this sheds a bit of light on the issue.

“Texas” Larry

]]> Comment on 12NR07 – MRF News Release – Senate Highway Bill Passes by Todd Leadenham http://roadriders.org/2012/03-16/12nr07-mrf-news-release-senate-highway-bill-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-1728 Todd Leadenham Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:55:46 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=979#comment-1728 I am really struggling with this position against helmet laws. I get the freedom and wind in your hair aspect of it, but it is so irresponsible and a cause of needless traumatic injuries and death, I can not support it. On July 22nd 2006 I was involved in the only accident I have ever been in, hitting a truck head on at over 50 miles per hour, I was thrown over a 100 feet and landed by a river with my head on a log. They were able to piece me back together again (my street glide wasn’t so fortunate) ,but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the half helmet on my grape. I understand it’s a sacrifice but is the wind in your hair worth your life? Is your freedom to not wear at least a half helmet worth being trapped inside a unresponsive body or undergoing the humiliation of having other people change your bed pans or god forbid your diapers? I’m just saying riding is one of life’s greatest experiences and requiring the use of minimum safety equipment will prevent you from living out the rest of your life as a window licker and is still a blast! I am really struggling with this position against helmet laws. I get the freedom and wind in your hair aspect of it, but it is so irresponsible and a cause of needless traumatic injuries and death, I can not support it. On July 22nd 2006 I was involved in the only accident I have ever been in, hitting a truck head on at over 50 miles per hour, I was thrown over a 100 feet and landed by a river with my head on a log. They were able to piece me back together again (my street glide wasn’t so fortunate) ,but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the half helmet on my grape. I understand it’s a sacrifice but is the wind in your hair worth your life? Is your freedom to not wear at least a half helmet worth being trapped inside a unresponsive body or undergoing the humiliation of having other people change your bed pans or god forbid your diapers? I’m just saying riding is one of life’s greatest experiences and requiring the use of minimum safety equipment will prevent you from living out the rest of your life as a window licker and is still a blast!

]]> Comment on 12NR01 – MRF News Release by Larry http://roadriders.org/2012/02-03/12nr01-mrf-news-release/comment-page-1/#comment-1662 Larry Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:49:46 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=963#comment-1662 Ostensibly, it is to do an equipment check, but it has been used extensively to check out the operators. Ostensibly, it is to do an equipment check, but it has been used extensively to check out the operators.

]]> Comment on 12NR01 – MRF News Release by Joe Bostek http://roadriders.org/2012/02-03/12nr01-mrf-news-release/comment-page-1/#comment-1661 Joe Bostek Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:45:15 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=963#comment-1661 Intrapment. Is this to check out the equipment or the Driver? Intrapment.
Is this to check out the equipment or the Driver?

]]> Comment on They’re Back by Doug Barritt http://roadriders.org/2012/01-09/there-back/comment-page-1/#comment-1492 Doug Barritt Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:13:46 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=903#comment-1492 Hey, Larry, with regard to proceeding through a "non-detecting" traffic light, I saw in the Seattle Times fairly recently that another state (I forget which) had passed similar legislation, allowing the M/C to proceed after one cycle of "non-recognition". Legal precedent! Doug Hey, Larry, with regard to proceeding through a “non-detecting” traffic light, I saw in the Seattle Times fairly recently that another state (I forget which) had passed similar legislation, allowing the M/C to proceed after one cycle of “non-recognition”. Legal precedent!
Doug

]]> Comment on NHTSA and Motorcycle Only Checkpoints by Otha Macurdy http://roadriders.org/2010/10-21/nhtsa-and-motorcycle-only-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-557 Otha Macurdy Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:08:00 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=408#comment-557 It's important to trained and licensed. It’s important to trained and licensed.

]]> Comment on NHTSA and Motorcycle Only Checkpoints by BMW Motorcycle Parts http://roadriders.org/2010/10-21/nhtsa-and-motorcycle-only-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-427 BMW Motorcycle Parts Thu, 20 Jan 2011 02:07:26 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=408#comment-427 Great post. Ride safe! Great post. Ride safe!

]]> Comment on NHTSA and Motorcycle Only Checkpoints by NO1ICEMAN http://roadriders.org/2010/10-21/nhtsa-and-motorcycle-only-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-410 NO1ICEMAN Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:08:57 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=408#comment-410 IF THIS IS NOT A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF RACIAL PROFILING, THEN WHAT THE HELL IS IT? IF THIS IS NOT A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF RACIAL PROFILING, THEN WHAT THE HELL IS IT?

]]> Comment on AMA bulletin concerning tolls by John Lawson http://roadriders.org/2010/12-14/ama-bulletin-concerning-tolls/comment-page-1/#comment-373 John Lawson Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:16:48 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=525#comment-373 Hello Larry. I have been down this road for three years on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Transportation Commission gets thier direction from the Tolling Commission headed up by Reema Griffith griffir@wstc.wa.gov , and they get input from citizens advisary groups that they set up. If the AMA needs help have them contact me. I along with letters from various riding groups are making a good impact on the Narrows Bridge advisory group. I have been told by Reema if they make a recomendation to reduce the tolls for motorcycles it will happen. John Lawson - LAO A.B.T.E. of Washington South King County Chapter Hello Larry.

I have been down this road for three years on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Transportation Commission gets thier direction from the Tolling Commission headed up by Reema Griffith griffir@wstc.wa.gov , and they get input from citizens advisary groups that they set up. If the AMA needs help have them contact me. I along with letters from various riding groups are making a good impact on the Narrows Bridge advisory group. I have been told by Reema if they make a recomendation to reduce the tolls for motorcycles it will happen.

John Lawson – LAO A.B.T.E. of Washington South King County Chapter

]]> Comment on AMA News and Notes by Dulcie Hunsberger http://roadriders.org/2010/05-13/ama-news-and-notes-2/comment-page-1/#comment-361 Dulcie Hunsberger Mon, 06 Dec 2010 02:31:49 +0000 http://roadriders.org/?p=350#comment-361 Surprising information. Bookmarked it already. Thanks. Surprising information. Bookmarked it already. Thanks.

]]>