Biker dies in anti-helmet protest
A Harley-Davidson rider has died after suffering fatal head injuries while protesting his right to not wear a motorcycle helmet
Is this Darwin's theory at work, a tragic accident, or a cruel irony? During the fourth of July long weekend in the USA, a 55-year-old Harley-Davidson rider died when protesting his right to ride without a helmet.
The man, Philip Contos, died from injuries sustained to his skull after refusing to wear a helmet.
Philip Contos was riding his Harley-Davidson when he came off the bike, his head impacting with the road causing his death. Attending authorities said Contos probably would have survived if he was wearing a DOT-approved helmet.
He was riding with the Onondaga chapter of ABATE, or the American Bikers Aimed Towards Education, whose mission it is to promote the voluntary use of motorcycle helmets. So while the ABATE group is happy to push the cause for voluntary helmet wearing, it believes that mandatory helmet laws are bad.
The issue of mandatory helmet laws in the USA is a contentious one, because some states legislate for, while some are against. So depending on where you're riding in the USA will dictate whether you need to wear a helmet by law or not.
The argument is academic in Australia, because wherever you ride a motorcycle a helmet must be worn by law.
We want to know what you think. Should wearing a motorcycle helmet be mandatory no matter where you ride, or should riders reserve the right to make that decision themselves? Post your thoughts in the comments below.
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