A New York man died Sunday while participating in a ride with 550 other motorcyclists to protest the state's mandatory helmet law.
Police said Philip A. Contos, 55, hit his brakes and his motorcycle fishtailed.
Contos was sent over the handlebars of his 1983 Harley Davidson and hit his head on the pavement.
The ride Sunday was organized by American Bikers Aimed Toward Education, known as ABATE, a group of motorcycling enthusiasts who lobby for motorcycle awareness and freedom.
The Onondaga chapter of ABATE has sponsored the helmet protest ride for the past 11 years every July 4 weekend.
"Mandatory helmet laws do nothing to prevent accidents," it says on the ABATE of New York website.
"The decision on when to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle should remain with each responsible adult rider. »