Dedicated to the Safety and Freedom of the Road

ABATE of New York Inc.

Helmet use is almost as emotional a debate as abortion, and the statistics are hard to really understand. There are pro helmet and pro choice riders, but  wearing a helmet is no guarantee of survival in a crash. On September 4^th, 2003 our neighboring state of Pennsylvania joined 30 other states in allowing ‘freedom of choice’ for adult motorcyclists. In 2002, when the helmet law was still in effect, 96 of  Pennsylvania's 140 motorcyclists' fatalities wore helmets, according to Penn DOT.

The NHTSA reported that in 1999  44% of motorcyclists' accident fatalities were not wearing a helmet and 53% were. You may think that you would be better off with one than without, but the fact remains that everyone should have a choice. The choice here refers to the obvious; an individual’s right to operate a motorcycle without wearing a helmet. What is less obvious; the right to choose to wear a helmet. ABATE of N.Y. does not oppose the voluntary use of helmets. We simply believe that reasonable adult citizens must be granted the basic freedom of individual responsibility.

The projected economic boon  resulting from increased tourism to a state that borders our own economically challenged Empire is one to be envied. 

ABATE of Florida, Inc. has concluded an economic impact study for the first three fiscal years of Florida's amended helmet law, and the bottom line reveals that "Freedom of Choice" has generated over a billion dollars into the state's economy from the increase in ridership.

From 2000 to 2003 Florida's motorcycle registrations went from 228,914 to 355,007, which represents a 55% increase. The motorcycle registration figures are compiled from the statistics of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The monetary figures come from the license and registration bureau.

114,457 motorcycles at a low average of $10,000 each = $1,144,570,000
Sales tax on motorcycles at 6% = $68,674,200
Registration fees on motorcycles = $4,578,280
Change of Title = $3,406,094

TOTAL = $1,221,228,574

"This is a low estimate as it doesn't include accessories and other items bought," according to James "Doc" Reichenbach II, State President and Lobbyist for ABATE of Florida, and Chairman of the Board for the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM). "This is over 1.2 BILLION DOLLARS in three years that was put into the economy of the State of Florida."

Over 75 MILLION DOLLARS went directly into the state treasury for the general fund. This does not include the tourist money that has increased because of Florida now being a freedom of choice state. In the past three years, over 1.3 billion dollars has been spent in Florida for 'Bike Week' and 'Biketoberfest'.

 

Something to think about?