Biker Choices
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
While my heart goes out to Ms. Chubb, her son-in-law, his family and his congregation, I feel there are some issues within this letter that may still need to be addressed. You see, I am a biker. To answer the questions of Ms. Chubb: Yes, I ride. Yes, I believe I am a responsible biker, and, of course, I enjoy my bike, but my love for my family is far greater than any material possession! Bikers have great appreciation for their motorcycles, but I don't know of any biker who would put anything above their family and friends.
Many of the reasons you stated for not wearing a helmet are ones that we hear and say often. What it really comes down to, though, is that it's not about how hot it is, where you are riding or how far you are going. It's a matter of personal choice. That is my right. It's not to say that I don't ever wear a helmet, I do, but it's when I make the decision, not someone else who feels they need to make it for me (when most of the time people making those decisions don't even ride).
You said in your letter that a dog ran in front of your son-in-law while he was riding. I didn't hear you once make mention of the pet owner's responsibility. You wonder if he had been wearing a helmet, would it have prevented some of the injury. I didn't read anywhere in your letter that had the pet owner kept his/her dog contained to its yard, your son-in-law wouldn't have swerved or hit this animal causing all his injuries. I didn't hear of the pet owner taking responsibility for the financial concerns that were afflicting this family. No responsibility was placed in the hands of those who caused the accident. Only statements made to bikers warning them to wear their helmet and have their personal effects in order. If more people took accountability for their actions that cause accidents, the injured rate would decrease amongst both bikers and those who drive cars!
Making roads safe for motorcycles is everyone's responsibility. Keep your pets where they belong. When you're in a car, listen for the bikes, look both ways before going through that stop sign, don't throw your trash and cigarettes out of your car window (to hit the bike rider behind you). Motorcycles are everywhere! We are watching you and hope that you're looking for us!
Ms. Chubb, I understand your concern for bikers to have all the proper insurance and paperwork in order while operating a motorcycle, but this seems to me to be pretty one-sided. How about all the other people out there driving cars without any car insurance, no job that would offer them long-term disability or medical care? What about the car operators who are driving without a valid license? A car is also a dangerous motor vehicle. I don't know a single biker who hasn't had a close call with a car. I don't know a biker who hasn't thought that their fate couldn't be met while riding. We all hope that day never comes, but we aren't naive enough to believe it couldn't happen to us. I hope everyone who rides has his or her affairs in order as Ms. Chubb suggested, but in reality that goes for everyone everywhere. Accidents happen in cars, planes and trains, even just crossing the street! For that matter, bicyclists too must beware (and they don't all wear helmets). I don't see any reason to single out just the bikers of the community.
True bikers have a need to ride. True bikers take responsibility for their actions. True bikers will take precautions to always be safe not only for themselves but for their loved ones, too. Every Indiana biker has the choice to ride with or without a helmet!
Jamie Kizer
Warsaw, via e-mail[[In-content Ad]]
While my heart goes out to Ms. Chubb, her son-in-law, his family and his congregation, I feel there are some issues within this letter that may still need to be addressed. You see, I am a biker. To answer the questions of Ms. Chubb: Yes, I ride. Yes, I believe I am a responsible biker, and, of course, I enjoy my bike, but my love for my family is far greater than any material possession! Bikers have great appreciation for their motorcycles, but I don't know of any biker who would put anything above their family and friends.
Many of the reasons you stated for not wearing a helmet are ones that we hear and say often. What it really comes down to, though, is that it's not about how hot it is, where you are riding or how far you are going. It's a matter of personal choice. That is my right. It's not to say that I don't ever wear a helmet, I do, but it's when I make the decision, not someone else who feels they need to make it for me (when most of the time people making those decisions don't even ride).
You said in your letter that a dog ran in front of your son-in-law while he was riding. I didn't hear you once make mention of the pet owner's responsibility. You wonder if he had been wearing a helmet, would it have prevented some of the injury. I didn't read anywhere in your letter that had the pet owner kept his/her dog contained to its yard, your son-in-law wouldn't have swerved or hit this animal causing all his injuries. I didn't hear of the pet owner taking responsibility for the financial concerns that were afflicting this family. No responsibility was placed in the hands of those who caused the accident. Only statements made to bikers warning them to wear their helmet and have their personal effects in order. If more people took accountability for their actions that cause accidents, the injured rate would decrease amongst both bikers and those who drive cars!
Making roads safe for motorcycles is everyone's responsibility. Keep your pets where they belong. When you're in a car, listen for the bikes, look both ways before going through that stop sign, don't throw your trash and cigarettes out of your car window (to hit the bike rider behind you). Motorcycles are everywhere! We are watching you and hope that you're looking for us!
Ms. Chubb, I understand your concern for bikers to have all the proper insurance and paperwork in order while operating a motorcycle, but this seems to me to be pretty one-sided. How about all the other people out there driving cars without any car insurance, no job that would offer them long-term disability or medical care? What about the car operators who are driving without a valid license? A car is also a dangerous motor vehicle. I don't know a single biker who hasn't had a close call with a car. I don't know a biker who hasn't thought that their fate couldn't be met while riding. We all hope that day never comes, but we aren't naive enough to believe it couldn't happen to us. I hope everyone who rides has his or her affairs in order as Ms. Chubb suggested, but in reality that goes for everyone everywhere. Accidents happen in cars, planes and trains, even just crossing the street! For that matter, bicyclists too must beware (and they don't all wear helmets). I don't see any reason to single out just the bikers of the community.
True bikers have a need to ride. True bikers take responsibility for their actions. True bikers will take precautions to always be safe not only for themselves but for their loved ones, too. Every Indiana biker has the choice to ride with or without a helmet!
Jamie Kizer
Warsaw, via e-mail[[In-content Ad]]
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