Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
#121
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
Isn't it great to be able to make your own decisions like that?
#122
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
That was literally the last time I rode without one.
#123
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
If not wearing a helmet was your only mistake, then the inference is that the tumble was inevitable - but was it really inevitable?
#124
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
More likely to break his neck.
I like your thinking. We should refuse repair surgery to all those exercise nuts who insist on ruining their joints with exercise.
This idea of inviting people to exempt themselves from socialized healthcare on the basis of behaviour is quite intriguing. I like it. Since more people die in Canada falling out of bed than off a bicycle, I would like to invite those complete idiots who venture into bed without protective gear to sign a waiver so that I won't have to pay for their subsequent healthcare. If we can save even just one life it will be worth it. Next we will tackle the insane behaviour of showering in a slippery bath without a helmet - way too dangerous for these times. Then all the people who don't take exercise because they have been told it's too dangerous, we'll exempt their stroke, heart and diabetes care - seems only fair. Now, who here drinks alcohol? You're next.
You see where this is leading?
You see where this is leading?
#125
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
Had it been a legal requirement, on a hot summer day on the rail trail I would probably have ignored the law anyway, but now, given the unpleasant end result of that quiet ride down the rail trail my perspective on the whole helmet thing is understandably skewed in favour. I still have stringy "floaters" in my field of vision occasionally, 10 years after the accident as a reminder.
I understand and acknowledge the arguments against, and they are not without merit, but on the whole I think the pros of helmets outweigh the cons, especially now they are so much lighter and better ventilated than "helmet 1.0". However, people need to understand the limitations of helmets too.
Last edited by iaink; Aug 2nd 2012 at 1:22 pm.
#126
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
Besides, I suspect its probably some form of tresonable offence to argue with Wiggo at the moment
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012...clists-helmets
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012...clists-helmets
#127
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
Had it been a legal requirement, on a hot summer day on the rail trail I would probably have ignored the law anyway, but now, given the unpleasant end result of that quiet ride down the rail trail my perspective on the whole helmet thing is understandably skewed in favour.
+1
Now I'm off to pack for my annual mountain bike trek to the Kootenays - helmets, gloves, arm & shin guards - check.
Hope everyone else has a great, safe long weekend (maybe getting a bike ride or two in as well).
#128
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
To be honest, I'd just assumed wearing a helmet while cycling would reduce the chance of my head getting hurt or suffering a fatal head injury from an accident.
However, after having a quick scan through this report I now realise that my assumption was just that; an assumption.
"Summary of injury data
Despite the lack of obvious change in %HI in response to increased helmet wearing from legislation (Figs 1-5), proponents of helmet laws have claimed the laws were effective. They usually fail to mention important aspects of the data, such as the similar trends in %HI for all road users (Fig 3), that non-head injuries fell by almost as much as head injuries (Fig 1), or the large reductions in the amount of cycling (see next section)."
This report: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811624.pdf tells me that cycling in the evening with alcohol in my blood is when I'm most likely to have a fatal accident (helmet or no helmet).
However, after having a quick scan through this report I now realise that my assumption was just that; an assumption.
"Summary of injury data
Despite the lack of obvious change in %HI in response to increased helmet wearing from legislation (Figs 1-5), proponents of helmet laws have claimed the laws were effective. They usually fail to mention important aspects of the data, such as the similar trends in %HI for all road users (Fig 3), that non-head injuries fell by almost as much as head injuries (Fig 1), or the large reductions in the amount of cycling (see next section)."
This report: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811624.pdf tells me that cycling in the evening with alcohol in my blood is when I'm most likely to have a fatal accident (helmet or no helmet).