Below is the "Publishers column", taken from the July 1965 issue of "Cycle" magazine and
was written by its publisher "Floyd Clymer". It was thought provoking enough for me that I
thought our website visitors might also find it interesting. I am not sharing this article to
debate the merits of helmet use. I never get on a bike without one; but rather to share with
you a snapshot as to where our society was in 1965 and the attitude towards independence
and personal freedom that prevailed. We give up our individual rights in small chunks and
they can seem insignificant. Add the small bits up over 40 years and we barely recognize
where we came from. I hope that is not the case 40 years from now.

Fred Le Friec

Novation Racing Inc.

COMPULSORY HELMET BILL DEFEATED

by: Floyd Clymer

It should be good news to all motorcyclists to know that the California Bill No. 1177
making it compulsory for motorcycle riders and /or passengers to wear safety helmets was
defeated.

Of all the asinine laws one could think of, this should head the list. Certainly we are for
the use of safety helmets, and we believe that riders should wear them, but for any State
to set up certain standards and make it compulsory to wear a helment is going a bit too far.
We feel we have some knowledge of the helmet business in as much as we were the first
ones to introduce safety helmets in the United States- way back in 1932.

CYCLE did instigate a compaign years ago for the street rider to wear a helmet, and we
believe this should be done at all times, especially for touring. At the same time, I do not
feel like putting on a safety helmet to ride three blocks for lunch or to take a spin around a
few blocks in the evening in the quiet district near my home.

Should this bill have passed, there might have been no end to State regulations which
would have many detrimental effects. It would be ridiculaous to have a State law which
would require a motorcycle rider to wear leather clothing, special gloves or boots-this is
something that should be left up to the discretion of the rider. While car seat belts are
compulsory in some states, only a small percentage actually use them, and there is nolaw
that we know of stating that you must use a seat belt. California has a law requiring rear
view mirrors and certain standardized tail lights and directional signals on motorcycles;
however, these are fixed items and permanently attached to the motorcycle. Unlike the
safety helmet, they do not have to be attached or detached each time the cycle is ridden.

We are all for the use of helmets but we doubt that the most rabid helmet user,
manufacturer or importer would go so far as to hope that this bill would pass, even though
it would have been of monetary value to some. It is easy to go off "half cocked" on these
screwball laws that are dreamed up by some impractical politician. Unfortunately, in this
instance, there was one magazine editor who went right out on the proverbial limb- and no
doubt now wishes he was wearing a safety helmet when he hit the ground after the bill was
defeated.