Motorcyclist dies protesting helmet law

ONONDAGA -- Police say a motorcyclist, riding without a helmet as he took part in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York, died after he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.

The accident happened on Route 11 Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse.

State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that Philip A. Contos, 55, of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley-Davidson with a large group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets.

Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

"The doctor felt that the death could have been prevented if he simply had been wearing a helmet," state Trooper Robert Jureller said.

-- AP and Reuters