One that really impress me when walking around the downtown or having a ride in the highway is motorbikes. I am talking about big motorbikes like Harley Davidson, something that is really American. The motorbike will have an average speed up to 160km/h which is fast enough since the highway speed here in USA or at least Oklahoma is about 40mph – 75mph or 64 – 120 km/h.

Highway in USA or Oklahoma State is open for motorbikes. It may look like toll roads back home in Indonesia but we don’t need to pay to use the highway. It is called highway because it is designed for high speed.

However, I have seen there are many riders that were not using helmet both rider and the passengers and I’ve seen more riders on the roads during the weekend, but again with no helmet. I then asking myself, ‘’aren’t they violating the law?’’ or maybe they are just freedom bikers and a little bit outlaw.

Later on, when we were on the road with one of city hall’s staff to observe the Bisons in Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, I got a chance to ask him: ‘’is it mandatory to use helmet for bikers here in Oklahoma’’ and the answer was really surprise me, ‘’No, it’s not mandatory’’.

Apparently, the ‘freedom’ that I mentioned before is regulated by law in Oklahoma. So, their act is not really outlaw but even according to the law. However, to be able to ride a motorbike, a rider needs to have a different license and a certain insurance. They need to pass the test and understand all the rules and the risk.

The law to use helmet might be different in each state in USA

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/06/state-by-state-guide-to-motorcycle-helmet-laws/index.htm

And here are some comments of the riders that I cited from News OK:

‘’Helmets are a very good device but it should be our choice whether to wear one. We believe we have the right to decide whether to wear a helmet.” John Pierce, 69, of Collinsville.

“We're not anti-helmet; we're anti-helmet law,” Paul Brinker, 56, of Tulsa.

Lesson that I learned here is regulation can be really different to another based on social condition, natural or geographical condition and many other factors. There is no one will fit for all regulation but a regulation that is designed to meet with community needs.