Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125682
share with auto dl'ivers, many motorcycltsts do not carry insurance because
of high costs at most tirms.
"Rates vary greatly trom company to
-company, due to the lack of stattstical
data in the industry on accidents," says
Earl Rehder of the Southern Cal1tornia
Auto Club's office.
The dub is one of three large national
tirms that provide relatively low rates
tor policy owners, only it they also carry
car insurance.
No company provides medical coverage and policies are hased on the size of
the cycle. Annual premiums at the smaller insurance companies run about $165
tor tull coverage tor medium-sized motorcycles .(35Occ) and $295 tor the giant
bikes (120Occ).
self with a helmet.
"The minority of riders wbo teel safety
helmet laws should be passed clalm that
legislative opposition based on peuonal
rights may be a cover-up tor a rider's
displeasure 10 lugging around the headgear and ruining hts "tree spirit, windblown ha1r" image.
Safety-conscious motorcyclists, tor
tb1s legislative session at least, will
have to be content with a bill on helmet
manutictur1ng standards described as
"the only compromise package we can
get through" by Assemblyman Tom Hom
(R-San Diego), wbose helmet-wearing
proposal tailed last year •
-Do state Motor Vehicle Department
. examinations-a requirement for ridtog
on any streei-adequately test wbether the
any motorcycle, trail 6lkii, dune buggy,
motor scooter, or jeep) or the motor
thereof on any place other than a h1ghway
so as to disturb the peace- or quiet of
any neighborhood or person by noise,
dust, smoke or tumes caused by such
motor vehicle."
II strictly enforced, that ordinance
alone could seemingly end citizen complaints about motorcycle operation torever. But deputies note that too strict an
enforcement of the section might lead
to its repeal.
TheY say they use the section only in
the most tIagrant violations. It is also,
they point out, a valuable basis on wbich
to discuss complaints with cyclists.
Another Los Angeles County ordinance
section is smore frequently used, parti-
cipality strongly recommended agaInst
"Rates are unrealistic on the larger
ones," says Santa Ana insurance agent
it.
,
Noise, vehicle accident risks and landGeorge Hertel, "tor these riders are
usually better risks."
scape scars, caused by tire traks, are
the chief detriments to motorcycle parks,
-Should the wearing of safety helmets
be required by the state?
officials say.
"There is some accelerated erosion
Motorc1\:lists, industry officlals and
in the county wbere off-road motorcy- ,
legislators have locked wbeels tor three
clists converge now," notes James'
years on wbether there should be a state
Whitehead, head of the Sn Clementelaw.
based district of the State Parks and
Forty-one other states have enacted
such legislation. The National Highway
Recreation Department.
Motorcyclists tare better than car
Safety Bureau reports that states remotorists in many accident categories.
quiring drivers and passengers on moA smaller percentage of cycles statetorcycles to wear protective headgear
wide are involved in mishaps than autos,
have a 30% decrease in accident deaths.
based on registration figures of all veBills were introduced in Sacramento
hicle categories. The Highway Patrol
in 1968 and 1969 but died in the Assemsays motorcycle rates actually dropped
bly Transportation Committee after
2% in 1967 and 1968, with last year's
strong opposition by motorcyclists and
figures still being tabulated.
some legislators who "telt mandatory
Yet it's the higher risk of serious inhelme-t protection 1ntringes on the perjury and death on motorcycles - about
sonal rights of the riders.
five tatalities occur each month in OrBill Adams, head of the American
ange County - that opens a floodgate of
Motorcycle's Southern Cal1tornia dis