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/126946
Helmet bill gets mixed reviews Backers of a mandaLOry helmet bill in California have managed to do something they could never do in the past - obtain California Assemblyman Richard Floyd. he said. "If the bill does not make it in California, I won't carry it again - but somebody else will. It's going to go on and on and on, as seat belt legislation did. Those of you who oppose the measure, you almost have a career. Sooner or later you're going to wear the hat. Maybe not this year, but I can guarantee you that the hat's going to be there." • support from at least part of the motorcycle industry. Although the AMA and the Moorfied Motorcycle Association are opposed to the measure, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and the California Motorcycle Dealers Association (CMDA) support the bill. "The association is going to support the legislation, but individual members are not bound by that," said Hy Weitzman, executive director of the CMDA. "After listening to the arguments, pro and con, the board decided it's a issue whose time has come. There were no compelling arguments against it, outside of the ,argument of individual freedom.,:: "Many people on the board were against it and many were for it," Weitzman said. "There were more for it than against it. We took a straw vOle from members all over California. We heard pro and con, but then' was more pro than con," The MIC supports the bill beCause the number of highway deaths and injuries have not decreased for motorcyclists while they have decreased for other types of vehicles, according to President Alan Isley. "The Motorcycle Industry Council last August adopted a general position that does endorse the concept of state-mandated helmet use," Isley said. "Something is necessary to bring motorcycle deaths and injuries down, and we want to make certain legisla- tors have an opinion from business as well as a public opinion." Of the major motorcycle manufacturers - all of whom believe it is always in a rider's best illlerest to wear a helmet - Harley-Davidson opposes the bill and most of the Japanese big four are sitting on the fence. Honda, "has no corporate position, although we encourage the use of helmets." Kawasaki, "doesn't have an offiCial corporate policy." And Yamaha's position is, "no position." Officials at both Suzuki and BMW said they are not actively supporting the concept of a mandatory helmet law, but they do support the position of the MIC. Major Helmet manufacturers are split on the issue. Roger Weston of Arai Helmets said, "personally, I don't like to see government intrusion of personal rights, but there's no doubt in my mind that wearing helmets will save lives." Larry Hoppe, North American sales and marketing representative for Marushin Helmets, said, "we do not actively promote the idea of a mandatory helmet law. We're constitutionally opposed, but logically wearing helmets makes good sense." Bell Helmets and Lazer Helmets both support the bill. "It's contradictory to be in the helmet business and not support the mandatory use of helmets," said Don L'Heureux, Bell's director of corporate affairs. "Since people can't realize themselves that they should wear a helmet when they ride a motorcycle, the law would help create a good habit," said Lazer's Ray Linder. "After a while people will get used to it and won't even realize it's mandatory." Shoei took no position on the bill..