ONONDAGA, N.Y., July 3 (UPI) -- A man taking part in a ride to protest New York's helmet law died when he went over his motorcycle's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement, police said.
State police said Philip Contos, 55, of Parish, was fatally injured about 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Onandaga while riding in the 11th annual Helmet Protest Run, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard reported.
Richard Contos said his younger brother was a truck driver and a former soldier who disliked government.
"He's a rebel," Richard Contos told The Post-Standard. "That's what he felt like doing. He protested everything."
The protest ride was organized by the Onondaga County chapter of American Bikers Aimed Towards Education.
Christinea Rathbun, president of the Syracuse ABATE chapter, said the biker's death would not affect the group's stance on helmet laws.
"Absolutely not," she said. "It's not going to stop us protesting our right to wear a helmet or not wear a helmet. It's your own risk."
