Topic: Biker funerals... no helmets?

[Jonesy]

I've seen a few funeral processions for local M/C clubs lately where in the long string of motorcycles, at least half of the riders and passengers go helmetless. What confuses me about this is in my state (MI), it's against the law to ride with no helmet, yet even with the police right alongside them, they can get away with it. How come?

[754]

Most of the one I have seen, or heard of, or ridden in.. have been almost completely helmetless. Of course the type of bike the deceased rode, likely could have a bearing on that.

We do have a helmet law here, but it is also illegal for autos to run red lights here..  but not during a funeral proocession.. at least they wont ticket anyone..

[Tim.]

Kind of ironic to not wear a helmet in a funeral procession that is more than likely taking place due to the rider not wearing a helmet in the first place.

[mystic_1]

The same irony would apply to driving to a funeral that was the result of an auto accident, n'est-ce pas?

mystic_1

[Gordon]

Kind of ironic to not wear a helmet in a funeral procession that is more than likely taking place due to the rider not wearing a helmet in the first place.

That's quite an assumption.    

[tramp]

riding without a helmet makes you free
i'll take the helmet everytime

[mcpuffett]

Its a respect/tradition thing, not sure of its origins  cheers Mick.

[Inkscars]

Touché Mystic.
Well played.
And yes, it's a sign of respect that was started and just continues.

[Jonesy]

I did a little more digging on this. Apparently, a funeral procession fits into the legal category of a parade, and in the case of a parade motorcycle riders are permitted to ride without a helmet, despite compulsory helmet use under normal circumstances.

[754]

Certain things are legal during organised processions..

Didya know it aint good for elderly folk to stand up in open automobiles, yet the Royal Family (except maybe the Dutch), and the Pope, do it all the time...

[Retro Rocket]

Its a respect/tradition thing, not sure of its origins

Spot on Mick, its the same as walking into a RSL {return service men league} club wearing a hat, it is considered disrespectful.

Mick

[Hush]

Never heard of this happening in New Zealand, guess we just think helmets are not an optional extra.
If you follow through on this wouldn't car drivers in a funeral procession go seat-beltless?

[Retro Rocket]

And drivers in convertibles go topless....

Mick

[MCRider]

According to this and other studies I've read over the years, its about half of fatalities are head injuries from lack of helmets. But as important are these contributors: alchohol, lack of training.

Even training as simple as the MSF course reduces chance of an accident, and injury,  by well... a lot. IMO

Absent from the safety statisitcs are those like mine. I have trashed two helmets in accidents that were never reported. I'm sure others have to. So the plus factor of helmets goes underreported.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/crash.htm

[Gordon]

Never heard of this happening in New Zealand, guess we just think helmets are not an optional extra.
If you follow through on this wouldn't car drivers in a funeral procession go seat-beltless?

There's never been a tradition (that I've heard of) where it's a sign of respect for the deceased to remove any kind of belt, so, no. 

A helmet is worn over your head, therefore it's a type of hat.  It's a tradition that men in a funeral procession remove their hats as a sign of respect for the deceased.  Were I in a funeral procession on my motorcycle, I would most likely choose to wear my helmet, but I'd respect the choice of others to not wear one just like I respect that same choice on any other occasion.