Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
Jun 12th 2012, 12:33 am
#91
Occidentally Damaged
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 398
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
Special protective equipment?
It's a helmet. We're hardly talking a coat of armour here.
Passengers in vehicles, as already mentioned, have several safety features that are enforced by law. They are however exposed to different risks- driving at higher speeds, for instance, and high traffic volumes.
Pedestrians also have several benefits on their side- dedicated crossings, speed limits, strict liability, etc etc.
It's a helmet. We're hardly talking a coat of armour here.Passengers in vehicles, as already mentioned, have several safety features that are enforced by law. They are however exposed to different risks- driving at higher speeds, for instance, and high traffic volumes.
Pedestrians also have several benefits on their side- dedicated crossings, speed limits, strict liability, etc etc.
What you seem to be in favour of is cyclists requiring no protection whatsoever simply because you feel they are not as safe as people believe.
I am also opposed to cycle helmet legislation, but that is not the topic.
Jun 12th 2012, 12:53 pm
#92
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
You have some excellent, idealistic, points of view but, typically, do the people riding on the wake of Walmart culture purchase bikes and get fit using them?
Alternatively, are they really tempted by a bike (for fitness sake),but then be put off the purchase by the additional cost of a helmet?
If you're really preaching to the masses here, you might just be humouring Darwin
Alternatively, are they really tempted by a bike (for fitness sake),but then be put off the purchase by the additional cost of a helmet?
If you're really preaching to the masses here, you might just be humouring Darwin
Everyone has an opinion, but its the stats on bicycle usage pre and post helmet laws that count isnt it? They would seem to indicate that fewer people bike now. One wonders if stats for unconnected physical activities like soccer participation have also dropped as kids generally seem to have become attached to their electronic devices and have become fat couch potatoes, in which case maybe helmets have nothing to do with it.
There are so many fat kids around now, its depressing. OHIP and the NHS are likely to collapse under the strain of taking care of them 20 or 30 years from now.
Last edited by iaink; Jun 12th 2012 at 12:56 pm.
Jun 12th 2012, 1:05 pm
#93
Up Your Kilt
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights
Posts: 1,621
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
You seem to have missed the point, its not the cost of the helmet that puts people off cycling, its the hysteria in the media and the mandating of helmets that creates the perception that its somehow taking your life in you hands and risking life and limb to go biking in the first place when all the data and statistics indicate that was never actually the case.
Everyone has an opinion, but its the stats on bicycle usage pre and post helmet laws that count isnt it? They would seem to indicate that fewer people bike now. One wonders if stats for unconnected physical activities like soccer participation have also dropped as kids generally seem to have become attached to their electronic devices and have become fat couch potatoes, in which case maybe helmets have nothing to do with it.
There are so many fat kids around now, its depressing. OHIP and the NHS are likely to collapse under the strain of taking care of them 20 or 30 years from now.
Everyone has an opinion, but its the stats on bicycle usage pre and post helmet laws that count isnt it? They would seem to indicate that fewer people bike now. One wonders if stats for unconnected physical activities like soccer participation have also dropped as kids generally seem to have become attached to their electronic devices and have become fat couch potatoes, in which case maybe helmets have nothing to do with it.
There are so many fat kids around now, its depressing. OHIP and the NHS are likely to collapse under the strain of taking care of them 20 or 30 years from now.
Thankfully both my teenage daughters are more into sports than the couch.
Jun 12th 2012, 1:10 pm
#94
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
I don't think it has anything to do with mandating helmets - hell no one enforces it. But I agree with the electronic devices, computers, cell phones, game boxes have a lot to do with it. It's also the world we live in now as everyone seems to drive their kids everywhere, even around the block to school - I rode my bike everywhere when I was a kid.
Thankfully both my teenage daughters are more into sports than the couch.
Thankfully both my teenage daughters are more into sports than the couch.
There is a lot of media driven paranoia about child abusers on the prowl and all that that drive parents to drive their kids small distances rather than shove them out the door to make their own way. I dont honestly think there is more of a problem now than when I was a kid, there is just a lot more publicity surrounding it. How many people do you know who have actually been affected by such a thing in person? Its very hard to raise innocent care free kids now.
Jun 12th 2012, 1:16 pm
#95
Banned
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Durham Region Extension
Posts: 3,342
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
That is a good thing, not only does it help with being a team player, it also helps with focus that transcends into their education and other aspects of their lives.
I have spoken to other parents during meets, and they have said they see the difference in their kids lives from doing sports compared to other kids
Jun 12th 2012, 2:35 pm
#96
Up Your Kilt
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights
Posts: 1,621
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
We all get to make decisions in life whether it's against the law or not - but there are consequences.
There is a lot of media driven paranoia about child abusers on the prowl and all that that drive parents to drive their kids small distances rather than shove them out the door to make their own way. I dont honestly think there is more of a problem now than when I was a kid, there is just a lot more publicity surrounding it. How many people do you know who have actually been affected by such a thing in person? Its very hard to raise innocent care free kids now.
Ever remember the days when you played soccer without shinpads or better yet, jumped in the back of your dad's pick-up, hockey bag in tow, with the other kids on the block and he drove everyone to hockey practice. The good old days.
Jun 12th 2012, 2:37 pm
#97
Beep
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 8,311
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
You seem to have missed the point, its not the cost of the helmet that puts people off cycling, its the hysteria in the media and the mandating of helmets that creates the perception that its somehow taking your life in you hands and risking life and limb to go biking in the first place when all the data and statistics indicate that was never actually the case.
Everyone has an opinion, but its the stats on bicycle usage pre and post helmet laws that count isnt it? They would seem to indicate that fewer people bike now. One wonders if stats for unconnected physical activities like soccer participation have also dropped as kids generally seem to have become attached to their electronic devices and have become fat couch potatoes, in which case maybe helmets have nothing to do with it.
There are so many fat kids around now, its depressing. OHIP and the NHS are likely to collapse under the strain of taking care of them 20 or 30 years from now.
Everyone has an opinion, but its the stats on bicycle usage pre and post helmet laws that count isnt it? They would seem to indicate that fewer people bike now. One wonders if stats for unconnected physical activities like soccer participation have also dropped as kids generally seem to have become attached to their electronic devices and have become fat couch potatoes, in which case maybe helmets have nothing to do with it.
There are so many fat kids around now, its depressing. OHIP and the NHS are likely to collapse under the strain of taking care of them 20 or 30 years from now.
As for fat kids. Parents are the enablers and in some cases it's quite sad. I took a great picture a while ago, mainly through disbelief, although it did make me laugh hard. There was a large family (i assume family) in Whistler last summer all aged from around 5yrs old to 80yrs ish. They were all so huge they waddled. The younger boys all had the same tops on that said "Nom Nom Nom, Gimmie my Timmies". The dad (i assume) had a "I Live at The Keg" t shirt.
The sad thing is they were ALL walking around stuffing their faces with McDonalds.
I'll try and dig it out. Oh boy i nearly wee'd myself. Shame though cos those kids are ****ed.
Speaking of McDonalds, my preggers wife made me go in one the other day to get her a milkshake. **** me that's a depressing place. There's definitely a certain kind of clientelle drawn to it. Most looked like they'd fallen from their bikes without a helmet when they were kids.
As for Cycle helmets. My kids will always wear key protection when out doing certain stuff. Helmet on a bike, skateboard, or blades. Life Jacket when kayaking or canoeing. I personally don't think any mandate forcing people to wear safety gear has any impact (pardon the pun) on participating in the activity. I would say if there is a decline in cycling, its most likley due to lack of safe accessibility, lack of storage, laziness, car mentality, or preference of modern technology. Most likely the media hyperbole of how kids aren't safe anymore could be in there too as parents are too scared to let their kids cycle to school around the corner.
Hallelujah
Jun 12th 2012, 2:39 pm
#98
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
Jun 12th 2012, 2:43 pm
#99
Up Your Kilt
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights
Posts: 1,621
Jun 12th 2012, 2:43 pm
#100
Beep
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 8,311
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
They dont need to enforce it, just by making the law they create the impression that cycling will kill you if you dont watch out, thats the problem that agr is trying to get over.
There is a lot of media driven paranoia about child abusers on the prowl and all that that drive parents to drive their kids small distances rather than shove them out the door to make their own way. I dont honestly think there is more of a problem now than when I was a kid, there is just a lot more publicity surrounding it. How many people do you know who have actually been affected by such a thing in person? Its very hard to raise innocent care free kids now.
There is a lot of media driven paranoia about child abusers on the prowl and all that that drive parents to drive their kids small distances rather than shove them out the door to make their own way. I dont honestly think there is more of a problem now than when I was a kid, there is just a lot more publicity surrounding it. How many people do you know who have actually been affected by such a thing in person? Its very hard to raise innocent care free kids now.
As for kids not being raised innocent and care free? I'm curious? Hints and tips and all that
It sounds like parents again are the enablers in this context by shoving their fears onto their innocent care free child. There's a woman in my building who's scared of dogs. Every time i walk near her with my smiling Pug, she picks up her daughter and hugs her so tight showing so much fear. The sad thing is the daughter is now petrified of all dogs 
Jun 12th 2012, 2:47 pm
#101
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
As for kids not being raised innocent and care free? I'm curious? Hints and tips and all that
It sounds like parents again are the enablers in this context by shoving their fears onto their innocent care free child. There's a woman in my building who's scared of dogs. Every time i walk near her with my smiling Pug, she picks up her daughter and hugs her so tight showing so much fear. The sad thing is the daughter is now petrified of all dogs Wish I had some simple answers for you...I dont. Basically Kids end up reflecting their parents. Be aware, try you best, be patient above all (thats the hardest part). Thats all you can do... Enjoy the journey.
Our main strategy to keep them care free is to live in the arse end of nowhere, with no internet, and not pay the ransom to the TV companies, so they get very little exposure at home to the garbage that the media churns out. Screen time is limited, they play outside, we keep them active, they read and play music, and they get enough sleep. Its hard to overestimate the importance of enough sleep! So many kids seem to do a ridiculous number of things in the evening, its a treadmill to avoid IMO.
Its OK for now, but it will have to change sooner or later otherwise by the time they are let loose on the real world they will have no strategies or experience to deal with the media bombardment that awaits them I guess.
Last edited by iaink; Jun 12th 2012 at 3:04 pm.
Jun 12th 2012, 2:49 pm
#102
Up Your Kilt
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights
Posts: 1,621
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
I'm not sure. Cars are forever being filled with safety gear and protection. Crash tests, etc. More people drive than ever before and many like dickheads.
As for kids not being raised innocent and care free? I'm curious? Hints and tips and all that It sounds like parents again are the enablers in this context by shoving their fears onto their innocent care free child. There's a woman in my building who's scared of dogs. Every time i walk near her with my smiling Pug, she picks up her daughter and hugs her so tight showing so much fear. The sad thing is the daughter is now petrified of all dogs
As for kids not being raised innocent and care free? I'm curious? Hints and tips and all that
It sounds like parents again are the enablers in this context by shoving their fears onto their innocent care free child. There's a woman in my building who's scared of dogs. Every time i walk near her with my smiling Pug, she picks up her daughter and hugs her so tight showing so much fear. The sad thing is the daughter is now petrified of all dogs Agree, glad I'm not one of those parents
Been there as well with the dog thing
Jun 12th 2012, 2:53 pm
#103
Up Your Kilt
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights
Posts: 1,621
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
Words to live by.
Jun 12th 2012, 3:00 pm
#104
Beep
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 8,311
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
That's what worries me the most. As long as its their mum they'll be ok 
Still, looking at threads on here showing the TV being a staple in the lives of adults, its no wonder kids are lazy fatties these days
Feel free to PM more tips
Still, looking at threads on here showing the TV being a staple in the lives of adults, its no wonder kids are lazy fatties these days
Feel free to PM more tips
Jun 12th 2012, 3:08 pm
#105
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Are helmets obligatory on a cycle?
I edited my post in the mean time.
Heres another... dont let a 9 year old go shooting one weekend and for a flight in an ultralight the next... not unless you are either deaf to the pleading for more, or have deep pockets....
Heres another... dont let a 9 year old go shooting one weekend and for a flight in an ultralight the next... not unless you are either deaf to the pleading for more, or have deep pockets....