Sponsored Links



Harley Logo Store








Add to Technorati Favorites

ss_blog_claim=510f8201cd6d1de4bf0319006ef38f00



If Motorcycles Are Dangerous, Then Outlaw Them

by Steve
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

That's the opinion of Dave Mathena, of Meridian, Mississippi, based on his letter to the Meridian Star Newspaper back on April 6, 2006.

He quotes...

I am confident that even the cheapest, lightest, plastic-made car protects its passengers more than the safest motorcycle. So why should we allow the iron horse to ride?
At first I thought it was a commentary on all the motorcycle safety laws. But it doesn't appear so. It seems that Mr. Mathena is quite adamant that motorcycles ought to be outlawed.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that there are far more people dying in cars than on motorcycles. Why not outlaw cars? Wouldn't we save more lives if cagers wore helmets too?

If eating hamburgers and french fries cause people to have heart failure, why not outlaw them too?

His letter actually produce several published replies...

Michael Sumrall wrote: "So shouldn't we address the real issue and have better auto drivers? Are we willing to outlaw the young and old drivers because they cause the majority of accidents?"

Gayle Dew wrote: "Outlaw motorcycles? Why can't we outlaw or banish stupid people?"

Syndi Knibbe wrote: "This kind of mindset is one of the major causes of motorcyclist accidents - the attitude that we somehow deserve to be run over because we're out there doing something we shouldn't be."

Alex Fleury wrote: "One of my favorite riding shirts says, "I REFUSE TO TIPTOE THRU LIFE ONLY TO ARRIVE SAFELY AT DEATH." I don't ask you to agree with my life's choices, but I do ask you allow me to live my life as I choose."

There were many other responses, but I won't summarize them all.

This is the kind of elitist attitude that we bikers have to deal with. People who hate motorcycles, who try to pass laws making it difficult for us to ride, and telling us they're doing this because we're too stupid to know better.

Labels: ,

6 Comments:

  • ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THIS.....Concearned Bikers Association - A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments
    JOIN YOUR LOCAL CBA OR OTHER MRO AND LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD EVEN LOUDER

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4/13/2006 03:16:00 AM  

  • I say the same thing about cigarettes, either outlaw them or let people smoke them, but let people make decidions for themselves. IT IS CALLED SURVIVAL OF THE SMARTEST!

    By Anonymous James, at 4/13/2006 07:50:00 AM  

  • Anon and James...both Libertarian views, but I'd bet a $1 you don't vote that way.

    By Blogger Bob, at 4/13/2006 10:19:00 AM  

  • Hey, bicycles are even more dangerous! And no one should ever be allowed to walk—there's no protection there at all!

    As cars get safer and safer, there's going to be plenty more where this idiot came from. We have to be vigilant if we don't want our right to ride taken away. I blogged about this isssue a few months ago.

    By Blogger Big Ben, at 4/13/2006 08:47:00 PM  

  • Well, I guess this guy is a total idiot!! Outlaw bikes!! What is he thinking?? We have rights too!! Just like the people choosing to drive cars, trucks, suvs and whatever. This guy is half cracked in the head. I enjoy riding with my ol' man!! Believe me, we have to watch out for the other guys on the road (The 4 wheel ones) and that's pretty bad. Live on and live free!!!

    By Anonymous Sue Slade, at 4/15/2006 07:26:00 PM  

  • My name is Dave Mathena, of Meridian, MS. I did, indeed write a letter to the Meridian Star newspaper, stating my opinion about motorcycles. I do not apologize for my opinion. And I understand your anger toward my letter which recommends that motorcycles be outlawed. However, please regard that letter as what it is: a stated opinion. I told the readers of the newspaper in a later letter, and I will tell you as well: I do not intend to pass or attempt to pass any laws which would outlaw or limit the use of motorcycles. So breathe easy, bikers. My opinion stays, and so do your bikes.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1/27/2007 05:39:00 PM  

Post a Comment
Back to Homepage