Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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motorcycle accident trauma. Seventy-five percent carried no accident or medical insurance, and 72% of Lhe cost ( 17,704 per patient) was paid by the state. . -Proponents point to Lhe recentlypassed California seat belt law. They say it is saving live and claim Lhat a helmet law would save even more. Floyd's biggest argument for a mandatory helmet Jaw is the concept of social burden. He contends that uninsured motorcyclists who suffer head injuries in traffic accidents cost California taxpayers $65 million a year in medical bills. Opposition to AB36 came from California's major motorcycle club and from the American Motorcyclist Association. Helmet law opponents sent more Lhan 10,000 letters to the Transportaion Committee in the past two months, and showed up in force for the public hearing, crowding as many of their numbers as they could into the cramped hearing room. Their comrades continued the vigil on the Capitol lawn. "Our organization supports the voluntary use of helmets, but opposes mandatory helmet laws," testified Roy Janson of the AMA. Janson was quick to attack Floyd's contention Lhat injured motorcyclists place a heavy burden on California taxpayers. "Motor vehicle accidents account for one percent of America's medical costs," Janson said. "Motorcyclists account for 10% of motor vehicle accidents, so the social burden is onetenth of one percent. You can reduce that to one-half of one-tenth of one percent because half of the motorcyclists in California wear helmets. And not all accidents are headrelated, so the burden becomes les than one-haH of one-tenth of one percent." "America is a nation of ri k takers," Janson continued. 'Take boating, for example. The law requires that there be a life jacket present for every person in a. boat. There is no law that says they have to wear those life preservers. We're asking Lhat the same (freedom of) choice be extended to motorcyclists." AB36 opponents presented everal other arguments: -There are 16.6% more motorcycle accidents and three percent more fatalities in states which currently have mandatory helmet laws. -Helmets reduce Lhe perception of speed, so helmeted riders tend to travel at a higher average speed than unhelmeted riders. -Helmets impair the senses, including vision and hearing. Some helmets reportedly restrict peripheral vision to 105 0 - 1600 is considered safe for Lhe operation of a motor vehicle. Helmets also reportedly amplify low frequency sounds as much as 100%, and reduce high frequency sounds - like sirens and high-pitched automobile horns 100 times. -Helmets are enclosed; on a hot day a helmet could contribute to rider heat stroke. -Helmets contribute to neck injury. -DOT studies show helmets are useless in direct-impact crashes above 13 mph. -Rider education will help reduce accidents - a helmet law won't. -If AB36 is approved, most riders won't buy quality, well-fitting helmets. They will buy cheap, loosely-fitting helmets, which will o[(er little protection. Featuring Famous Dueatl 90 Degree V-Twin Custom motorcycles lined the streets around the state capitol in Sacramento when about 500 motorcyclists showed up to protest AB36. -DOT helmet standards are a joke. One witness testified that his organization lamanated two salad bowIs together and took the "helmet" to a DOT laboratory where Lhe contraption matched or exceeded federal helmet standards. Floyd's bill has been endorsed by 40 professional organizations, 65 California cities and 22 California counties. Among those supporting Lhe measure are medical organizations, law enforcement a~encies, and traffic safety organizallons. AB36 also has received support from the California Motorcycle Dealers Asso- ciation, Honda/Kawasaki of Monterey, and Motorcycle Dealernews, (a trade publication erving Lhe motorcycle industry). The bill's opponents include the American Motorcyclist Association, ABATE of Californ ia, Bikers Against Manslaughter, Lhe Bikers' Rights Coalition, Bipartisans Against Discriminatory Legislation, the Cal ifornia Eagles Motorcycle Club, the Federal Employees Metal Trades Council, Lhe Modified Motorcycle Association, the Norton Owners Club, and The Vintage Cycle News. _ WE HAVE IT! HusqvamaGet YourseH A BOX STOCK The Sensational Dueatl Paso WINNER 430 XC Visit These Participating Northern California @&'l.@flWLffi [Q)fJJJ~'ffll Husqvama Dealers Now and See a Full Line of the New European Alternative in Motorcycles 1 2 3 4 Sacra..... HALL BURDETTE, INC. 2010 Del Paso Blvd. Sac,.mento. CA 95B15 (916) 925-1797 Sa. Jose BRlTAUA MOTORS Of SAIl JOSE 726 North 13th Street San Jose. CA 95112 (408)295-4341 San Rafael IIARIN MOTORSPOSRTS, INC. . 1101 F,.ncisco Blvd. San Rafllel. CA 94901 (415)456-6100 SantaCl. . 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