Subject:    House 0117: Relating to Motorcycle Riders/Safety Equipment
     Date:    Wed, 20 Oct 1999 13:55:59 -0400
    From:    Frank & Vicki <email@tampabay.rr.com>
        To:    bainter.stan@leg.state.fl.us

Dear Representative Bainter,

As a cosponsor of HB0117 and as Chairman of the Insurance Committee, I urge you not to allow the Staff Analysis of HB0117 take the tone that it did in the Judiciary Committee's Staff Analysis.

In the Judiciary Committee's Staff Analysis, motorcyclists were portrayed as an already proven burden to society.  The analysis assumes that helmets and helmet laws prevent crashes and injuries.  Phrases in the analysis such as, "may increase", "could increase" and "potentially expensive" present a biased and untrue relationship of riding a motorcycle without a helmet.  Many studies performed on this subject prove the opposite of what is stated in the analysis.

The analysis goes on to recommend, "Because of the potentially expensive nature of head injuries associated with avoidance of the helmet requirement, the insurance requirement of this bill might be increased to more effectively offset the costs associated with such injuries."  No may, could or potential here, it is stated as a fact.  It has been proven this is not correct.  Should you care to see the facts, I would like you to visit my website, Helmet Law 101, The URL is: http://home.tampabay.rr.com/ourplace/helmet101.htm  If you would rather have hard copies of the studies and information, let me know and I will get them to you ASAP

I know you are defender of the motorcyclist rights in Florida.  I sincerely thank you for your work on our behalf.  I just do not like motorcyclist being looked at like we are a burden anyone because we are not.

Again, thank you for your support of HB0117

Frank A. Mansis