So, unlike our current weather at home, the sun is shining and it is upper 70's maybe low 80's. I am blasting through trafficand I notice something is not right. To my far right two lanes over is what looks like somebody standing in the lane. Granted, my view is somewhat obscured by the very fact that in the Chevy Aveo my as is sitting approximately 15" off of the pavement, (I may be givivg it to much credit). Upon closer inspection the the individual is not only standing in the lane of traffic stopped for the red light but is simultaneously straddling a motor scooter, with no helmet on.....Gasp. Gasp.... Who would ride without their helmet... Back to reality..something must have happened to it or it was stolen while at work.
So I am cruisin around looking for a place to eat and I somebody else with no Frackin' lid. Then another, and another,...too many to be coincidence..Ohio must not have a helmet law... Got back to the hotel room and popped on the laptop....Sure enough found this:
| Safety Helmet: | Required by law for novice riders, required under age 18 |
| Eye Protection: | Required by law unless equipped with windscreen |
| Passenger Age: | No Restriction |
| Helmet Speakers: | No Restrictions |
| Mirrors: | One required by law |
| Headlight: | Modulating headlight permitted |
| Turn Signals: | Required if manufactured in 1968 and after |
| Handlebars: | Maximum of 15" above seat |
| Muffler: | Muffler required. |
| Noise Restrictions: | Counties and Townships may adopt regulations that establish Max A-weighted sound level based on measurement at a distance not less than 50 feet from center line of travel (Title 45, 4513.221): 1)82dBA at 35 mph or less; 2)86dBA at more than 35 mph. |
| Riding Two Abreast in Lane: | Persons riding bicycles or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or motorcycles. |
| Lane Splitting: | Not referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes |
| Insurance: | Compulsory Liability (Minimum Limits)(12.5/25/7.5) |
Hey! Here in OHIO, I am, and you're right, it IS stupid, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIf you check out my post from Sunday's ride I lament about the fact that these riders are going by me and NO ONE is wearing even a helmet!
So, say "hi"! Where ya from?
I am currently attending a training class in Blue Ash...
DeleteI hail from the Corvallis area of Oregon....Go Beavers...
I miss my Tiger but have been accused of causing a Ruckus or two....
They should never have named it a Ruckus.....
So let me get this straight, eye protection is required if no windscreen, but helmets are optional after 18 years oldl? How does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteDon't want you to lose an eye to a flying object, that might make you crash, mind if you if you crash with no helmet your eyes won't really matter will they?
I personally think it is absolutely fricken ridiculous that governments would choose this path. It makes absolutely no sense not to mandate some safety gear and have restrictions on passenger age, etc. Our government has recently made it illegal to wear beanie type helmet here and we have regulations regarding passengers on scooters and motorcycles, they must be able to reach the footpegs or have their feet firmly planted on the floor boards.
ReplyDeleteI get the whole personal choice thing, but in the end it is not individual who entirely pays for the mistake or misjudgement it is everyone else with increased healthcare costs and the families left behind dealing with idiots who don't wear gear.
Wearing a lid no matter how uncomfortable should be mandatory. I have seen first hand evidence of the aftermath of riders who chose the barest minimum of helmet and it can be horrific. So fo me it is and always will be ATGATT even in the hotest of weather. I even put my helmet on if I am just moving my bike up the driveway and onto the street, crashes can happen anywhere and it doesn't take much of a bang on the noggin to lunchbucket yourself. Just my feelings on the entire issue.
It was really that I am so used to seeing covered heads, that this was so radically out of place in my mind, that I couldn't immediately wrap my head around it...
DeleteKind of like stumbling upon a clothing optional beach..
I agree that the government should stay out of some people's areas but unfortunately common sense doesn't work for all people in the same way and that is where I believe that the authorities try to protect the stupid. But in this case it looks like the stupid have been sitting on the lawmaker's side.
ReplyDeleteIt is people's free will to get hit in the bare eye, crash, crack up their skull and die. Should they survive make sure they use all their freedom to pay the medical bill.
I think the world would be a safer place if people would be allowed to die from their own stupidity.....true, sometimes they think they are dressing up for the government and yet its for their own safety. How can helmets be optional for anyone?
ReplyDelete