Northwest Cycle Report

News and Events for Motorcyclists in Washington, Oregon and Idaho

Choices

By John Davis • Aug 29th, 2007 • Category: Rants

The death of Shane Chapman is a tragedy. Like many motorcyclists, Shane left behind a wife and young children. One of those children, 10-year-old Emily, has decided to do something about it.

Shane Chapman was killed when a car pulled out in front of him. He was not wearing a helmet. Shane’s home state of Idaho does not require him to do so. Emily wants to change that. She has started a petition to change Idaho’s helmet law to require all riders to wear helmets.

It is easy to see how a 10 year old could draw the connection between her father’s death and the lack of a law requiring him to wear a helmet. She is still learning the concept of personal choice and responsibility.

Shane Chapman had a choice. He could choose to wear a helmet or he could choose not to. Instead, he let the state decide for him. There’s no law that said he had to wear a helmet, so he didn’t. 

As long as their are people like Shane, who place their faith in the state to tell them how to protect themselves, there will be broken-hearted 10-year-old girls, and adults who still think like 10-year-olds, trying to legislate their way further and further into our lives.

If Shane Chapman were alive today, I wonder if he would sign Emily’s petition.

John Davis is the owner, editor and publisher of Northwest Cycle Report. John also owns and writes for MotoSkagit.com and is the administrator for the Washington 120 State Park Tour. In addition to his own sites, John is a contributing author for MotorcycleLife.com and Motorcyclebloggers.com. He lives in Mount Vernon, WA and rides a candy-red Honda VTX1800 Retro.
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Viewing 3 Comments

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    *"Shane Chapman had a choice. He could choose to wear a helmet or he could choose not to. Instead, he let the state decide for him. There’s no law that said he had to wear a helmet, so he didn’t."*

    In this paragraph, you say that Shane had a choice, AND the state made the choice for him. If the state made the choice for him, he would have been FORCED to wear a helmet.
    In Idaho, the state has chosen not to be envolved in that particular issue. It is up to the rider to decide.
    It's just one more freedom about to be taken away. I'm not saying that helmets are bad. I wear mine every ride. I'm saying that I'm smart enough to take every safety precaution available to me. I don't need the government telling me that I HAVE to take those precautions.
    Next, they'll be saying I can't ride because it's too dangerous, and I might die......
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    Thats so sad! R.I.P.

    Me, I say you ride you wear a helmet, it should be a law everywhere. Just my opinion.
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    Hi,
    I am the wife of Shane Chapman. Yes, Shane did have a choice to wear a helmet, but I know If he would have known what financial burdan it has put on our family and the city of Meridian he would have. Yes, he was not being responsible, I have had to everything we own to just pay the hospital bills. The States have put laws in place for us to wear a seatbelt becuase it clearly shows it saves lives as it show that it saves lives for wearing a helmet. Think about how much money we as tax payers pay for those motorcyclist who survive and are not able to return to work or they have to live in nursing homes for the rest of their lives due to a brian injury. It does reflect to you and me. How does it hurt you when you already wear a helmet even if there is no law. Just as I wore my seatbelt before it became a law. You talk about infringment of our rights. What about my rights as a mother, What about Emily's right to have a father, all of Shane's friend and all of his emplyoee right to work for a sucessful company that is now going out of buisness. Motorcyclist need to think about this and too many are not. Emily want to educatate what could happen. Shane was one of those who just thought I am just going around the block for dinner. He was only going 20 mph when the accident happen. And YES I believe Shane would sign Emily's patition!!!!Because he has seen the burdens it has put on all of us that loved him dearly.!!!!!!
 
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