Whats the deal with ABATE?

Question

I know this is going to piss a bunch of people of but how can ABATE ( American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) claim to be an organization that teaches safety when they spend so much time and money trying to get helmet laws repealed? And why do they have "helmet runs" where large groups of them get together and ride without helmets to protest? What kind of safety is this teaching?!

I understand as much as anyone that it should be a personal decision to wear a helmet, but if an organization is about safety I just dont see how they can oppose helmet use.

Ok Im getting of the soapbox now.

Answer 1

I agree with the ABATE folks that they do much more than just lobby about helmets and that it should be up to those who ride to decide, but please, the crap about extra weight, impairing your hearing and vision and especially about how a helmet will do more damage than good is just such nonsense that it makes people think you are stupid and takes away from all the good you do. If helmets were more likely to cause harm then why dont we see a bunch of bare heads crashing into each other whenever we tune in a football game? And if wearing a helmet is impairing your vision, try not putting it on backwards. They are designed not to impair your vision. I wear my 3/4 helmet everytime i ride and unless i am looking in a mirror i cant even see it. And what part of the roaring pipes and blasting wind dosent impair your hearing but a helmet does? When you make up facts because you feel the need to have proof that your opinon is more right than someone elses, it discredits you, and it discredits and organization that does actually do a lot of good for riders. Bottom line is, if you wear a helmet its because you want to, and if you dont wear one its because you dont want to. Its a choice and just leave it at that.

Answer 2

ABATE does not believe in politicians determining what an individual wears or does not wear. I personally do not like helmets and don't wear one, but that is my choice. I would never insist on telling someone what to or not to wear. Our parents did that when we were kids. Each adult biker should decide for themselves without some politician deciding for them. If the politicians can mandate wearing a helmet, they can easily mandate wearing leather jackets, boots and gloves. Maybe they could mandate which manufacturer to buy these from so our brains don't have to think at all. If you get into a serious accident you're most likely going to die from internal injuries and wearing a helmet won't matter. By the way I use to ride with a helmet but discovered I could see and hear better without. That seems like a safety issue to me.

Answer 3

I AM A CHARTER MEMBER OF ABATE OF ARKANSAS



the helmet law is repealled here not because of safty but freedom . Some of us don't think a helmet will make you safer, the extra weight ,blocks your hearing an vision .We also moniter

congress because they tend to try to pass things that are not needed. Have you ever been at a red lite an it won't change .here we got a law after you come to a complete stop ,there is no oncomming traffic you can proceed through the lite be legal.

here in Arkansas we sponcer a bike driving class ,where people can take the class an pass the driving test here for bikes .



we don't teach safety but we try to ride safe

Answer 4

ABATE does a lot more things than just worries about helmet laws, they do benefit runs for people and they do quite a bit of charity things. i know this for a fact because my mother is the local ABATE president. also about the safety thing, here, we have someone from the chapter go into drivers education classes and talk about motocycle safety and how you should look twice for one. like i said before they dont just worry about helmet laws if anything thats the least of there worries and yeah it is a choice whether or not you should have to wear a helmet or not they arent always safe.anyways that just informs you a little bit more

Answer 5

I agree with BikerBob. I started out wearing a helmet, but feel safer without one. Vision and hearing are imperative, and the helmet takes away from both. Your peripheral vision is basically gone with a helmet on. It's a personal choice for each person, and should stay that way in each state.

Answer 6

Helmets are a personal choice, and as a "Biker" I choose to use mine, but will not try to force anyone else to wear one. ABATE teaches safety for and toward CHILDREN, not adults able to make an informed decision.

Answer 7

There are probably more closed head injuries with helmets than without because most accidents without helmets result in OPEN head injuries.

Answer 8

there are helmet laws because some politicians don't think you are able of thinking on your own. There are more closed head injurys with helmets on then off.

Answer 9

(American Bikers Against Totalitarian Edicts)?



They are about personal liberty. If you want to wear a helmet do so, as do I. I don't try to restrict other peoples' personal freedoms, though.

Answer 10

Helmets are like seatbelts, they put them in cars, but stupid people won't use them, so you have to have laws to make them. would you rather they lower the speed limits? they have to do something to keep the statistics down :)

Answer 11

They're raising money.They'll fight for everyone to wear fuzzy yellow slippers if they can make a buck.

Answer 12

heyhey - no answer here- just want to say I agree with you.