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    SAMPLE LETTER to your SENATOR

      The Honorable       
      State Senator
      State Capitol
      P.O. Box 30036
      Lansing Mi. 48909-7536

       

      Dear Senator

      I am writing to seek your support of our helmet modification bill (SB 321). Are you aware that 30 states now allow adult riders the freedom of choice concerning helmets? All the states that surround Michigan are helmet-free.

      Are you aware of the tourism dollars being lost due to Michigan's law which currently requires helmet usage? Riders from our surrounding states will not purchase a helmet just to visit and spend money here. Couple that with the Michigan riders that leave here to rider in our neighboring states and Michigan tourism takes a double hit amounting to millions of dollars of lost revenue annually.

      When I travel to Ohio or up to Wisconsin for vacation, to ride helmet-free, I usually spend around $145 per day (food, lodging, gas, and entertainment). This is over $1,000 per week of vacation that is lost to Michigan.

      Helmet states average more accidents and more fatalities per accident than helmet-free states. In addition, new bike sales soar after a helmet law repeal and would boost our economy in increased sales taxes, registrations, title fees, gas taxes, etc. all at no cost to the taxpayer. I ask that you restore my freedom of choice and help our state's economy at the same time.

      Sincerely,

    • SAMPLE LETTER to GOVERNOR GRANHOLM

    The Honorable Jennifer Granholm      September 14, 2004

    Governor

    State Capitol

    P.O. Box 30013

    Lansing Mi. 48909

     

    Dear Governor Granholm:

    I would like your support on legislation that is currently in the House (HB4325) and Senate (SB321). This legislation would modify Michigan's mandatory helmet law to allow "choice" for riders, twenty-one years or older, who have at least two years of a "motorcycle endorsement" on their license or who have taken a nationally approved "Motorcycle Riders Course".

    Presently, thirty-one (30) states allow this option including every state surrounding us. Michigan is loosing MILLIONS of tourism dollars each year because many motorcyclists refuse to vacation here due to the mandatory helmet law.  Milwaukee, Wisconsin hosted Harley-Davidson's 100th anniversary  last summer and the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce estimated over $140 million in tourist revenue was generated over the four day weekend

    Even though many anti-choice groups claim that there will be tremendous increases in fatalities if a state repeals their law, this simply is not the case. Both fatality and accident rates are slightly lower in states that allow adult choice versus those that have a mandatory helmet law.

    Information from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) supports the fact that mandatory helmet laws do little or nothing to reduce accidents or make for a safer motorcycle rider. Rider training, education and public awareness is the answer to a safer motorcycle rider.

     There are currently bills in the House (HB4325) and Senate (SB321) which I hope will soon be finalized and put before you for your signature. I would ask that you sign the final version and allow the adults of this state the freedom to choose the safety equipment they feel they need.

    Sincerely,