I am a motorcycle rider from out of state and have recently heard there is a possibility that California will modify it's helmet law with SB 969. (Ducheny, Morrow)

I would certainly look forward to this modification so that I could enjoy riding California's beautiful roads. During these visits, I would be patronizing your gas stations, restaurants, motels, hotels and other businesses. There are hundreds of thousands of registered motorcycles in the states that border California and the draw to spend vacation dollars in a free state is a strong one. California especially would draw riders from all across the United States being the spectacular destination it is.

No one is more concerned about safely riding motorcycles than riders themselves. The decision to ride with or without a helmet is a personal decision that should be left to the individual, not the government. The fact that fatality rates are virtually the same between states with and without mandatory helmet laws leaves little room for argument that mandatory helmet laws are not effective at saving lives.

What has proven effective is preventing accidents in the first place. Increased rider training and experience will reduce the total number of injuries and fatalities much more effectively by reducing the number of accidents. The majority of all motorcycle accidents are caused by right-of-way violations on the part of other road users. Making other road users more aware of motorcyclists will also greatly reduce the number of accidents.

Motorcyclists are no more or less likely than any other group of average citizens to carry health insurance, so they are not a burden on society in the event of an injury. Motor vehicle accidents account for 1.16\% of total US healthcare costs. The 0.001\% attributed to motorcyclist injuries is an extremely small part of these costs - 1:1160. Out of 100\% of vehicles involved in accidents nationwide, motorcycles represented less than 1\%, only 0.53\%.

I urge you to help provide California's businesses with a significant influx of patrons. This is a wonderful way to help your merchants and the California economy and I hope I can look forward to visiting you soon!