Yeh, more gov't and more laws. THATS what we need. Bah Bah Sheople.

THIS JUST IN.... TIME TO START MAKING THE CALLS AGAIN.

3/24/2009 Senate Second Reading
3/24/2009 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 25, 2009

Yeah baby!! Everyone start calling in, emailing, etc... in SUPPORT of helmet laws!

Someone please post the email campaign location so that I can send my support for helmet laws in. I'll bet we can get virtually all of the racers and track day guys on board as well.

I got a bad feeling this one is going to pass

+1 im in wheres the link

Fixed to suit my tastes

Ok, here is the lady to call and learn how to support. I just called them and volunteered to help in any way. Also, call and find out who your state rep and state senator is. I'll post more info as I learn how we can support this effort.

I recognize that lady...
She was the wonderful person who brought along the bill to ban children without licenses as passengers or riders of offroad vehicles.

Wink... You don't even ride on the street, do you?

Maybe if those kids had helmets...

Did you see all of the bills she put up in the other thread
I don't think she likes motorcyclists very much.

What happened to Lids for Lane Splitting?

Personally I am 100% for helmet usage
but I am not for the law.

People should be responsible for themselves.. I am so sick of the govt telling me what I can and cannot do when the only person who I am going to affect by my action is myself.... And for all those who don't feel this slope has a lean to it, not to mention how slippery it is.. You haven't been paying attention.

Yep. I need the government to make more rules for me. Mary Flowers has a problem with motorcycles aparently.

Maybe they'll ban track days next. They're dangerous!



Monday, March 2, 2009
Flowers Bill Would Prohibit Youth Riding
Illinois House bill 3914, introduced by Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to operate and all-terrain vehicle or off-highway motorcycle.

The proposed legislation would also make it illegal to transport a passenger on an ATV or OHM regardless of whether the vehicle is configured for a passenger. The bill would also require ATV and OHM riders to have valid driver's licenses and wear helmets.

This legislation was referred to the rules committee on February 26th.

Maybe not. Read the summary:

Bill Status of HB3914 96th General Assembly
Full Text Votes View All Actions Printer-Friendly Version


Short Description: ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE SAFETY

House Sponsors
Rep. Mary E. Flowers

Last Action
Date Chamber Action
3/13/2009 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
105 ILCS 5/27-23.8 new
105 ILCS 5/27-24.2 from Ch. 122, par. 27-24.2
625 ILCS 5/6-109 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-109
625 ILCS 5/6-206 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-206
625 ILCS 5/11-501 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-501
625 ILCS 5/11-1426 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1426
625 ILCS 5/11-1427
625 ILCS 5/11-1427.5 new


Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the School Code to provide that school districts must provide instruction in relation to the laws regarding the operation of all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles in grades kindergarten through 12 and may include the instruction in social studies, American government, driver education, or other appropriate courses of study. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to prohibit any use of all-terrain vehicles or off-highway vehicles on roads. Provides that the Secretary of State may suspend a person's driver's license for 6 months for a violation of provisions relating to the illegal use of all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles on streets and riding an all-terrain vehicle or off-highway motorcycle as a passenger. Provides that it is illegal to operate an all-terrain vehicle or off-highway motorcycle if the operator is under the age of 16, does not have a valid driver's license, or is not wearing a properly fitted helmet secured to the person's head. Provides that a person must demonstrate knowledge of all-terrain vehicle and off-highway motorcycle laws on the written examination for a driver's license, and provides that information relating to all-terrain vehicle and off-highway motorcycle laws must be contained in publications of the "Rules of the Road" by the Secretary of State and "Laws for Youth" by the Legislative Research Unit.



I'm sure banning sport bikes would be the ultimate win for her.

<--- recovering racer/track day rider and forever street rider.

Do I think that wearing a helmet is a smart thing to do? Absofuckinlutely.

Would I support a helmet law? NEVER.
Would I support stricter licensing requirements for operators of ALL vehicles? Stricter enforcement of laws ALREADY ON THE BOOKS relative to vehicular homicide, inattentive driving, DUI, etc. etc.??? You bet your life! Attack the REAL problem!!!

My brain, my body, MY CHOICE ALWAYS.

It sure sounds that way. Supporting her on any motorcycle issue is a bad idea IMO

A big +1!

I'm sorry, but even though I would vote for a helmet law, I can't support some as motorcycle-ignorant as Mary Flowers.

Perhaps she just needs an education. We'll see if I get a meeting with her where she actually stands.

I think that is pretty funny that people won't support a helmet law that they are FOR anyway just because they don't like the messenger or other efforts that she has someone does not agree with.

Perhaps if we supported the things that we are for and fought against the things that we are against we'd have a better system. Fighting against all efforts regardless of the message just seems ironic to me.

But hey, that is what it is all about. I am FOR helmet laws, and will do what I can FOR the passage. On this one topic, I agree with her. On the other topics, I don't agree with her and will b e happy to tell her face to face.

So, let democratic process ensue.

Always a heated issue, what's funny is I don't have a problem with helmet laws, I think they would save some lives as there are some serious idiots out riding around with little to no skills. But what I don't like is the government telling me what to do. So I am very torn on the issue.

And that is just it Tony, it doesn't have to be and it shouldn't be. I respect the right for people to vote against, or be against helmet laws. I see zero logic or defensible position in it other than "I want the right to choose", but I still respect their ability to make that choice.

I guess I find it funny that the only moto people I see doing anything or organizing anything are those against the law. I, for one, know FAR more people that wear helmets than those that don't and are FOR the law in common conversation. I'd love to see a concerted effort to SUPPORT the law that is just as well coordinated as the effort against the law.

I wear my lid 100% of the time. Always

But once laws like this are on the books, they are never removed. Once its done, you can pretty much count on it being there forever.

Any legistation that permanently limits my motorcycle choices is a bad idea

my .02

A big +1
Have I run to the gas station (literally 500' from my loft) without a helmet on? Sure.
or a quick blast around the block when you're all sweaty just to get some wind in your face?
Sure.

When I ride... I wear a lid.
Simple as that.
I don't need the threat of a 50$ ticket to get me to do it.. and honestly.. I don't think I should.

I don't think seatbelts should be law either.. Yes sure... Insurance companies bought off a bunch of "law makers" and got their way.. Democracy in action.. Justice for all of those who can afford it.

Wink...
When you get old, fatten up and get yourself a Harley then you have a vote... Right now Helmets are already "the law" for what you do.. So hush up jk

btw.. Rep for putting it just the way I see it Maynard

I strongly believe that you should wear a helmet. I do not think that it should be a law. I know some power hungry cops could abuse this law.
I also know people in states where they require helmets. They've said that people intentionally run bikers off the road because they know that they are violating a law and that they Will get in trouble for it.

I choose to wear a helmet. I feel no need to force my views upon people when their choice does not affect me. I would not be very happy if someone forced their view upon me that riding a motorcycle was putting myself in danger and therefore should be outlawed.

These are the reasons that this law affects me, and part of the reason that I'm against it.

I am against a helmet law. I never wore one for years, then when I joined clsb, I started wearing one. Sunday I was wearing mine. It saved my life. A good idea, yes, a law? No. Under 18 a law? Yes.

Gears saves lives folks. Show me a logical argument for not wearing a helmet, or full gear.

Choice?
Freedom?
Because you like the wind in your hair?

Where is the logical argument against it?

the government shouldn't dictate?

Come on! Every study I have ever heard of said that it helps reduce head injuries, increase survival rates, and lower overall health costs.

Next I suppose I'll hear the argument that health costs go down since you don;t need the same kind of long term health care if you are dead. But what about the effect on family finances to make up for your loss of income?

I don't like the seatbelt law either, heck I got a ticket for it recently. But it still is in my best interest to wear a seat belt even though I am too stupid to do it for myself. The only reason I wear one is to avoid a ticket. That is good for ME... and my family. It only serves to protect me in spite of the fact that I want choice, and I don't like the government dictating to me.

Don't you find it rather stupid that seat belts are required in a steel box, but that NO protection other then eye protection is required on a motorcycle?

How about a law that requires minimum gear head to toe? Get rid of this idiots on the street in shorts, wife beaters, nylon jackets and flip flops or tennis shoes.

There is little to no common sense in this argument. Someone please help educate my old, stubborn mind. I can learn. Really. But I need a solid LOGICAL argument to help me understand why the government isn't supposed to help protect those that are too stupid to do it themselves. Isn't that part of their job?

If not... how many of you voted Libertarian? Because then, then I'd understand your perspective. No government intervention.

That's not irony, it is politics.

I never wore a seat belt until it became law. It is not a big deal to buckle up. I also think that should be choice. I am for safety seats and under 18 seat belts. Our auto insurance didn't drop when seat belts became law. It will be the same if manditory helmets became law. The privilage to lane split while wearing a helmet is interesting. Wink, I hope this helps.

The governemnt constantly tries to save people from themselves. Its been a gradual process since the very beginning.

A helmet law would not effect me. But mandating a helmet law is one step closer to taking choices away that would effect me. What if there was a law limiting HP on motorcycles?

Or banning sportbikes alltogether? They could impose a limit on minimum wheelbase, minimum weight per CC, minimum amount of trail, etc. Banning sportbikes would not be hard and thats exactly how they would do it. It would be no different than emmissions and noise requirements except it could be targeted at "dangerous" motorcycles

Kids dirtbikes are now illegal. Is it that much of a stretch?

There really is no inbetween "safety" step from a helemt law to a HP limit. A HP limit IS the next step.

And I guarentee it will be proposed sometime in the future. A helemt law will make it come sooner than later

I see where you are coming from Maynard, but I don't buy into the domino effect theory.

wheres my tin foil hat?

+1

I like the right to CHOOSE to always wear a helmet. Certain sports or hobbies are just inherently dangerous, and a smart person will protect themselves as they see fit, and assess risk differently. When does it gonna end? I think along the same lines all bicyclists should wear full leathers and a full face helmet. Why not? Hell, I was going over 40 mph on Sunday in my underwear and a stupid foam half helmet. I can run over 10 mph too. Fall down at those speeds and people have died from less. Marathon times would increase substantially with all that gear on too. Then what? We haven't even addressed base jumping and hang gliding. We could probably mandate some safety standards there too. Ladders? Holy crap. They should be stabilized with cement blocks and you should have a safety belt clipped to the ladder so you don't fall off. Toasters? Jeez, just making breakfast is dangerous nowadays. http://www.smthop.com/article.aspx?newsnum=510

I think I might just stay in bed all day. Oh snap.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedbug