riding without helmets/gear in the US midwest?
I confess to being a four-wheel type who hangs out here for the travel advice rather than an affinity for bikes  but i thought maybe some of the rest of you might be able to answer something that i find puzzling.
I'm in the US upper midwest at the moment, and driving yesterday i must have seen 30 or 40 motorcyclists, of whom only about 5 were wearing helmets. Most also had no gear - just tshirts, jeans, etc. One guy had a helmet, but instead of wearing it, he had it attached to the back of his bike as he zoomed down the interstate.
Given highway speeds of 80 mph, plus the fact that it was raining, i would have thought that at the very least gear would have been a protection against the pain of the raindrops? :confused1:
When I grew up in the states, everyone who rode motorcycles wore helmets. I've been gone a long time, though, and now it seems almost noone does.
Anyone have any idea of the reasons behind the change?
I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything - i'm just really curious!
Thanks!
Brenda
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