Jake
January 29th, 2004, 02:18 PM
JACKSON, Miss. - Adult motorcyclists shouldn't be forced to wear helmets if they don't want to, a bikers' group said Wednesday at the Capitol.
"The government is put here by the people, of the people, for the people, not to protect us from ourselves," said a man from Tupelo who goes only by the name Preacher.
Preacher and about 40 other leather-clad bikers gathered at the state Capitol to rally support for a five-point package they hope to get passed this legislative session.
They parked their Harley-Davidsons and other motorcycles around a Confederate women's statue outside before climbing the steps to speak to reporters and lawmakers inside the ornate, century-old building.
On the bikers' agenda:
_Repealing the helmet law.
_Giving the same tax breaks for motorcycle license plates that have been allowed since 1994 for car and truck tags.
_Establishing a state-sponsored, motorcycle riding instruction course.
"We feel the most survivable accident is the one you avoid," said Ron Sarich of Monticello, president of American Bikers Active Toward Education.
_Requiring insurance companies to pay for injuries that occur while people are riding motorcycles, horses and all-terrain vehicles.
_Increasing the penalties for causing accidents on road rights of way.
Rep. Jamie Franks, D-Mooreville, said he will introduce bills for the motorcyclists.
Mississippi is one of 20 states that require motorcyclists of all ages to wear helmets, Preacher said. He said he wants to keep a helmet requirement for people younger than 18 but let adults decide what to do.
Rep. Rita Martinson, R-Madison, said requiring helmets is in the best interest of public safety.
"I think it's really ironic that they want us to not mandate helmets and they want health insurance coverage," Martinson said.
"The government is put here by the people, of the people, for the people, not to protect us from ourselves," said a man from Tupelo who goes only by the name Preacher.
Preacher and about 40 other leather-clad bikers gathered at the state Capitol to rally support for a five-point package they hope to get passed this legislative session.
They parked their Harley-Davidsons and other motorcycles around a Confederate women's statue outside before climbing the steps to speak to reporters and lawmakers inside the ornate, century-old building.
On the bikers' agenda:
_Repealing the helmet law.
_Giving the same tax breaks for motorcycle license plates that have been allowed since 1994 for car and truck tags.
_Establishing a state-sponsored, motorcycle riding instruction course.
"We feel the most survivable accident is the one you avoid," said Ron Sarich of Monticello, president of American Bikers Active Toward Education.
_Requiring insurance companies to pay for injuries that occur while people are riding motorcycles, horses and all-terrain vehicles.
_Increasing the penalties for causing accidents on road rights of way.
Rep. Jamie Franks, D-Mooreville, said he will introduce bills for the motorcyclists.
Mississippi is one of 20 states that require motorcyclists of all ages to wear helmets, Preacher said. He said he wants to keep a helmet requirement for people younger than 18 but let adults decide what to do.
Rep. Rita Martinson, R-Madison, said requiring helmets is in the best interest of public safety.
"I think it's really ironic that they want us to not mandate helmets and they want health insurance coverage," Martinson said.