As a fellow Harley rider, I was not surprised to hear of the governor’s recent motorcycle accident. He sustained facial injuries needing 15 stitches to close. Every photo I have seen of him riding has him wearing the minimal helmet favored by many “outlaw” (read 50-year-old dentists and accountants) riders. European studies of motorcycle-involved cranial injuries reveal that 28% of head injuries are lower facial, i.e. mouth, jaw, chin and nose. This is largely due to those ridiculous helmets that protect only the very top of one’s skull.
Now, I always wear a full-face helmet, armored jacket and pants, Kevlar reinforced gloves and race-qualified protective boots. These help, but of course, no outfit can give 100% protection. So, here’s today’s lesson: people are totally free to wear shorts, sandals, bathing suits, thongs and those silly helmets. I see it all the time. Be my guest! But be sure to carry enough insurance so that when you turn into mush or a vegetable due to a serious crash, I do not have to cover the co$t of your “freedom.”
Marshall Thompson