It's great fun but we know that motorcycling is not always safe. We as motorcyclists know the associated risk we assume once we get on our motorcycle. Do we need law makers deciding on the things we wear? They don't buy our helmets for us and yet some citizens are forced to buy one to satisfy the law. Perhaps it could be practical to have mandatory D.O.T. requirements if the general public was vulnerable as a result of not wearing one. But is not the case. If we ride without a motorcycle helmet, it's no one's risk but our own.
How did the notion of D.O.T. being an authority on helmet protection happen? Maybe only due to the fact it is one of, if not the oldest helmet evaluation agency known in the nation. Many years ago, D.O.T. sanctioned helmets were likely the best available. Technology have widely increased over the past few years.
Regardless that there are smaller, lighter, and stronger helmets available now, law makers still require the D.O.T. approved decal. Reason tells me the helmet does the protecting, not the sticker on the backside. There is nothing wrong with wearing a D.O.T. helmet. If I decide to wear a smaller or better made helmet, the decision should be mine. Law makers may have their own viewpoint as to what is a good helmet is, but that should not force our hand with the decisions we make on apparel.
If I do decide to make use of a half shell, I would prefer an American made product. Every DOT helmet I've seen lately has an overseas origin tag on the inside. I'm unsure why they are made outside of the U.S.A. but we enforce DOT laws inside America. Possibly a political trade agreement with other countries? I am not slamming foreign made motorcycle parts, it's just that with the huge motorcycle market, our economy could only benefit if the so called "approved" helmets were built in the U.S..
Aside from what kind or type of helmet we may be obligated to buy, it's better to wear at least some type of protection on your head. Few could argue that. I find it odd that it is perfectly legal to text and drive in some states but illegal to ride without a helmet. So, in law enforcement's eyes, it's okay to endanger others while driving and text messaging but not okay to assume a risk that only effects the individual biker. The decision to wear or not wear a helmet should be left up to the rider.
How did the notion of D.O.T. being an authority on helmet protection happen? Maybe only due to the fact it is one of, if not the oldest helmet evaluation agency known in the nation. Many years ago, D.O.T. sanctioned helmets were likely the best available. Technology have widely increased over the past few years.
Regardless that there are smaller, lighter, and stronger helmets available now, law makers still require the D.O.T. approved decal. Reason tells me the helmet does the protecting, not the sticker on the backside. There is nothing wrong with wearing a D.O.T. helmet. If I decide to wear a smaller or better made helmet, the decision should be mine. Law makers may have their own viewpoint as to what is a good helmet is, but that should not force our hand with the decisions we make on apparel.
If I do decide to make use of a half shell, I would prefer an American made product. Every DOT helmet I've seen lately has an overseas origin tag on the inside. I'm unsure why they are made outside of the U.S.A. but we enforce DOT laws inside America. Possibly a political trade agreement with other countries? I am not slamming foreign made motorcycle parts, it's just that with the huge motorcycle market, our economy could only benefit if the so called "approved" helmets were built in the U.S..
Aside from what kind or type of helmet we may be obligated to buy, it's better to wear at least some type of protection on your head. Few could argue that. I find it odd that it is perfectly legal to text and drive in some states but illegal to ride without a helmet. So, in law enforcement's eyes, it's okay to endanger others while driving and text messaging but not okay to assume a risk that only effects the individual biker. The decision to wear or not wear a helmet should be left up to the rider.
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