I wasn't here when this thread started so here is my take on it now that it's been revived. A motorcycle rider with a helmet on is no safer than a person in a car with or without a seatbelt on. If we can accept a seatbelt laws for safety reasons then I think we should ban and make all street motorcycles illegal. If safety is governments concern then I can't possibility understand how motorcycles are even allowed on our roads? Motorcycles don't provide and compelling reasons for being used as transportation so why give people the option of using them at all. Vehicles with crash ratings, seatbelts, third brake lights, air bags etc, etc ... should be the only available options on the road if safety is the obligation of the governments.