By By Randi K. Pickley / Niles Daily Star
Motorcycle riders may be given a reprieve from requirements that they wear helmets while riding in Michigan.
On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill repealing the state's mandatory motorcycle helmet law which has been in place for the last 36 years. Should the bill pass the state House, it will become the new law. The House and Senate will recess for Spring Break Thursday and reconvene April 12.
Niles residents expressed their opinions Friday.
Roger Dieckman of Buchanan of Roger's Barber &Style Shoppe, 11th St. in Niles said, "I think everyone should wear them (helmets)," although not a cyclist himself.
A fellow barber at Roger's agreed. Terry Clark of Stevensville said, "They ought to be required to wear helmets for safety purposes, for their own safety." He added, "If you're in an accident, it affects other people's lives, too; your co-workers or if you're in an accident and hit someone else." Clark is not a motorcyclist.
Joe Kempton, a co-worker with both Clark and Dieckman, owns a Kawasaki motorcycle. He likes the freedom from confinement that a cycle offers as opposed to being in a car. Kempton said, "When you get to a certain age, you are on your own. It should be your choice."
Kempton also feels that you have to use some intelligence about making that choice. "If you wear one, it's your choice. If you don't, you're dumb." He did feel, however, that the choice is affected by the situation.
Bob Kaplansky who recently moved to Three Rivers and was at the Bell Plaza on 11th St., is a long-time biker who was active in working with bike safety education. He was previously a member of ABATE (America Bikers Aimed Toward Education) and CRO (Concerned Motorcycle Riders). "My personal preference is not to wear a helmet," he said. According to Kaplansky, "There are pros and cons. While a helmet might protect your head, most of the injuries are to the arms and legs. There's the safety issue, too: are they really all that safe? They can cut down peripheral vision. Helmets can cause the head to overheat which causes fatigue. And there are instances of "hangman's effect" which, when you hit your head, can break your neck."All in all, Kaplansky believes it boils down to one thing. "It should be a personal choice," he said.
Dawn Dunham of Three Rivers, also at the Bell Plaza, said, "I see it both ways. I like it without, but again, it's a personal preference. I know someone who died because they were wearing one and I know someone who died because they weren't."
Carol Stelter of Baroda works at Moon Beads in the Bell Plaza. She feels, "It's their life; it's there choice. If I were a motorcyclist, I would wear it." "But," she said, "you can't legislate common sense."
Cindy Linzy of Niles is also an employee of Moon Beads. "I think it's good they repealed the law. It should be a choice. I will wear a helmet, but I don't want to 'have to'."
Joyie Alvord of Niles stopped by Rich's Pizzaria at Bell Plaza with her two children. As a mom, she said, "I think they should wear them for their own safety. If my son ever did ride a motorcycle, I pray he'd wear his. He wears a helmet now when he rides his bicycle with training wheels."
Pete Adams, owner of Pete's Southside Marathon Station on 11th St., Niles, agreed that helmets are a good idea. He said, "I feel they should leave the law. Don't people want to protect their brains?"
An employee at Pete's, Melissa Callahan said she is sometimes a passenger on a motorcycle. "I won't go without a helmet, though. My uncle was in a motorcycle accident and was hurt pretty bad. It scared me. It was 24 years before he would get back on a bike."