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Statistics are always twisted to support an argument from a specific perspective. The helmet law is one of those area where this is very true. Those proposing a law requiring helmets will point to an increase of deaths since helmets became optional. What they are not factoring into their argument is the change of motorcycles, motorcycle riders, and techniques.

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times points out that there is a great increase of deaths in a specific sector of motorcycle riders. When I started riding in the late 60’s, this group didn’t exist. It’s the sport bike rider. I’m not saying all sport bike riders are reckless, but it is a bike built for speed. You can’t sit on one and not dream of racing down the highway. You can’t ride one with the intent of a leisurely cruise. It’s just not what that bike is about.

The LA Times says, “In 2005, supersport motorcycles had a death rate of 22.5 per 10,000 registered bikes, according to the institute. That compared with 6.5 deaths per 10,000 touring motorcycles, a class that includes the Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide, and 7.5 per 10,000 motorcycles overall.” I am not proposing the removal of sport bikes from the road either. Something needs to be done to reduce the death and injury rate, though. I don’t have an answer.

The LA Times continues with, “In 2005, speed was cited as a factor in 57% of supersport riders’ fatal crashes, according to the institute. That compared with 22% of fatalities involving touring bikes.”

My point is that it is a different problem than helmets that is causing the increased number of fatalities. In fact, most sport bike riders I know always wear helmets and often wear full protective leathers.

Back to the real issue, helmet laws. If helmets are there to protect our exposed, open-air heads shouldn’t they also be a requirement in convertible cars? I think the day the law is passed requiring convertible drivers and riders to wear helmets we should simultaneously require bikers to wear them. I don’t see that happening … ever.

Several years ago there were two motorcycle accidents in this area. The first was a man leisurely riding in a residential area when a pick up truck pulled out in front of him. He swerved to avoid the truck and was thrown from his bike in someone’s yard. Another accident involved two young adults riding at high speeds on the Interstate. The lost control and crashed. The man on the first bike was wearing a helmet and died in minutes. The two on the sport bike were not wearing helmets and survived. The condition of survival is used in statistics of fatalities. The point is that even with a helmet and a moderate accident you can lose your life. Even without a helmet in a severe accident you can survive.

The helmet isn’t the problem. Keep the helmet optional.

I recently attended a small national forum unrelated to motorcycles. I thought this would be a good opportunity to get opinions about the foundation and the 360Bikers USA Grand Tour. There were several bikers there from different states with a range of motorcycle makes and types. They had varied riding backgrounds and stages of experience. All thought the idea was excellent, which encourages me to move forward more quickly with the legal aspects required to fulfill the foundation obligations. I also got some tentative commitments to ride the 360Bikers USA Grand Tour.

There are many things I’ve tried to do over the years. Some were more successful than others. The foundation I am trying to create is the culmination of many ideas I’ve pursued over the years. While the concept is based on the auction site providing the steady income for grants to fallen motorcycle riders, I’ve always had the dream of a gigantic bike ride for this charity.

I spent several hours this weekend refining the trip concept to generate funds that would go towards the charity I am creating. This ride will actually have 7 rides that are interlocked. Six of the rides are regional rides that will take about a week. They will interlock with the primary ride at key points to share the trip with the riders of the 360Bikers USA Grand Tour.

The tour will involve several extremely dynamic concepts. First, it is not for the faint of heart. It is a 30-day motorcycle ride with only 3 days off and a few light travel days. In the process, riders will also qualify for the USA Four Corners ride, a sanctioned trip that hits the four extremes of the USA and must be completed in 21 days or less. The journey includes up to 35 press conferences to promote the charity in the process. Rides will go to major cities, state and national parks including Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore, scenic areas across Canada and the USA, and the opportunity to see a great deal of our country.

This is also exciting to me because if each rider can get pledges that total a mere $2 per mile and we can get 20 riders for the tour, we can generate almost 1/2 million dollars for the charity. The regional rides should be able to put us over the top. Regional rides total approximately 2,500 miles each. The Tour is about 10,600 miles total. The ending will include a great celebration and awards ceremony. I want to make this worthwhile and have it repeated (with variations) each year.

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Lee Keller is founder of 360Bikers, LLC. His interests and background includes technology, real estate, education, photography and motorcycle riding.