Bicycle Safety

All too often, bicyclists and motorcyclists do not wear helmets.  The recent change to the Michigan Motorcycle Law, which now allows motorcyclists to choose for the themselves if they want to wear a helmet, has only increased the community's acceptance of helmet-less riders being simply an expression of freedom of choice.  But what riders forget is that there are many elements out of their own control.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 677 bicyclists died in 2011 in the United States.  Wearing a helmet can significantly reduce this number, as can other precautions.  When a bike is on the road, it is considered by law to be a moving vehicle.  As suggested by the Michigan Department of State, this means that there are a number of measures a rider should take:

• Always ride with other vehicles (contrary to walking or running on a road.)
• Obey the rules of the road as any other vehicle operator; this means stop at stop signs and lights and use hand signals to indicate turns
• Wear a helmet and reflective clothing
• Yield to pedestrians
• Never ride drunk or distracted
• Ride as far to the right as possible
• Attach a red and white reflector when riding at night

Following these suggestions does not guarantee the absence of an accident; however, the precautions are proven to decrease the risk of a fatality.  If no other measures are taken, at least, wear a helmet.

MLive Findings Show Helmet Repeal as Deadly

There was great controversy leading up to the repeal of Michigan's Helmet Law.  Now that it has come, gone, and had time to settle, it is important to look at the affects that the repeal has had on Michigan motorcyclists over the past two months.  When it comes to safety, repealing the law did nothing to ensure Michigan's motorcyclists would be the safest they could be.

MLive Media Group has been conducting analysis since the repeal was put into place last April.  Though motorcycle accidents are dangerous regardless of whether or not the rider wears a helmet, MLive Media Group has come up with many findings that show that the repeal has done more to hurt than to help.   Below are some of their findings taken from Sunday June 24th's article in Ann Arbor.com titled "Helmet Repeal Proves Dangerous":

• 25% of the 129 helmetless riders in accidents suffered "incapacitating" injuries.  That compares to 16% for the 525 who wore helmets
• Of those who were killed, six were without helmets--or 4.7% of all helmetless riders in accidents.  By contrast, eight helmeted riders were killed, 1.5% of all those in accidents.
• As weather warmed, more helmets came off.  The first month after the repeal, 17% of motorcyclists were without helmets.  That rose to 22% in the second month.

AAA Spokeswoman Nancy Cain said that "the findings support what appears self-evident -- a helmet can in some cases protect riders, or lessen injuries."  Even though it is not against the law to not wear a helmet, it is safer to wear one when riding on a motorcycle.  Deciding not to wear a helmet greatly increases the risk of injury and death and riders should think twice when making their decision about whether or not they are going to put on a helmet today.