Thunder Roads Colorado Magazine Volume 11 - issue 1 | Page 5

Want to be a contributor or correspondent? W ell, October is upon us and we have the Halloween edition of Thunder Roads Colorado with a photoshoot at Reinke Bros. in Littleton. We also have an article about helmets from Scott O’Sullivan motorcycle attorney. Scott has brought us some very useful articles in the past from insurance issues we need to know about to laws in Colorado governing motorcycles. This issue he brings us his opinions on helmet use. Most of you are aware that Colorado requires a helmet for those under the age of 18. Beyond the age of 18 it becomes a choice to wear a helmet or not. This month Scott brings you his opinion on the matter and why he has that opinion. When we received the article I almost rejected it on the basis that, as Editor-in-Chief for Thunder Roads Colorado, I didn’t want to be in the middle of what is often a heated issue. I also didn’t want an article by Scott to be seen as the opinion of Thunder Roads Colorado. Why didn’t I want to get involved? There are several reasons. Firstly, various lawmakers (and non-lawmakers for that matter) think that helmets make you safe. I think that focus is all kinds of wrong. Mandating helmet use won’t help to prevent a single accident. Research has shown that ongoing rider education will help to prevent accidents at all skill levels. Now, you might think that helmet use and motorcycle training and education don’t have much to do with each other but in reality, they do. It seems to be a money thing. Spending time and money emphasizing on helmet laws tend to remove the focus on rider education and training. Since training helps to prevent accidents, I personally think that a focus there is much more effective than on helmet use. That said, we aren’t talking about lawmakers here, we are talking about Scott’s opinion. Since that is the case, we have an article that is unapologetically prohelmet use. Thunder Roads Colorado is not endorsing Scott’s opinion and we welcome (and will publish) alternate views. Feel free to send us yours. Like I said earlier, I don’t always wear a helmet. It is my personal choice. If I had children, my choice would likely be different. That said, I do wear a helmet most of the time these days. My wife on the other hand, pretty much always wears hers. I can think of only one or two times she hasn’t and those were usually more changing the parking of the bike than going anywhere. I guess that between myself, Scott and my wife we represent most of you out there, some of you wear helmets every single time you get on your bike and some of you don’t. Now, whether you wear a helmet or not is your decision. The most important thing is that we all ride and there is not anything out there that is quite the same as the feeling of riding a motorcycle whether it is a sports bike or a Harley, it is about the journey and not the destination. Keep the shiny side up and have a Happy Halloween! Patrick “5” www.thunderroadscolorado.com We need contributors and correspondents for dirt bike off-road events, on-road cruiser, sport bike and adventure touring, rides, runs and rallies. Contact us today at contributors@thunderroadscolorado. com or 720-458-3134. Want to make some extra money? Full-time and part-time advertising representative wanted. No experience required. Contact us at [email protected] or 720-4583134. We want your feedback Please email us and let us know what you think and what you want to see at [email protected] or 720-458-3134. Add your ride, rally or run to our free events listing page Send us your event information whether on-Road or off-road, rides, runs, rallies and events for all types of motorcycles and three wheelers. We will list it free in our events listing for that month! events@ thunderroadscolorado.com or 720-458-3134. DON’T MISS IT! Make Check payable to: Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado Mail check and this form to: Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 7477 W. Layton Way Littleton, CO – 80123 One year subscription to Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado is only $25.99 a year. The nation’s largest FREE biker publication can be delivered right to your door. Name____________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ City______________________________________________ State___________________________ Zip_______________ October 2015 Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 3