Bradley Wiggins calls for safer cycling laws and compulsory helmets

[middleagecyclist]

The child was too young to be there.

But it's well known babies bounce in a fall and don't crack easily plus they have very few synaptic connections to destroy. And they can never tell SWMBO when I drop the bike on the floor with baby in the situ if one was to have a minor accident.

 

[Linford]

And that is relevant how?

You brought up the relevance to the debate. I think it needs clarifying if we are to go on a willy waiving competition.

I'll go first I started in 1971 on the roads on a bicycle, took my cycling proficiency in 75 and then my motorcycle test in 82. I've been riding cycles and motorcycles ever since - more so with motorcyles lately though due to the theft of my last decent cycle. I am on 2 wheels every day between March and November unless I have to carry something bulky, and the odd fine day during the winter.

How old, and what year did you start cycling ?

 

[Red Light]

You brought up the relevance to the debate. I think it needs clarifying if we are to go on a willy waiving competition.

I'll go first I started in 1971 on the roads on a bicycle, took my cycling proficiency in 75 and then my motorcycle test in 82. I've been riding cycles and motorcycles ever since - more so with motorcyles lately though due to the theft of my last decent cycle. I am on 2 wheels every day between March and November unless I have to carry something bulky, and the odd fine day during the winter.

I trust you take your own advice and wear one of your motorbike helmets when cycling.

 

[middleagecyclist]

What about bouncing babies with helmets though?

 

[Red Light]

The child was too young to be there.

You're making this all up as you go aren't you? Cycling with babies is fine as soon as their neck muscles are developed enough to hold their head up which is around 9months to a year. At that age its better without a helmet because of the extra load the weight of a helmet puts on the developing neck muscles.

And the bumps and jolts they receive are no worse than in a car - or are you proposing children under 3 should not be carried in a car either?
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3595

 

[Linford]

I trust you take your own advice and wear one of your motorbike helmets when cycling.

Are you being wilfully stupid on this issue ?

If you read my previous comments on the issue, I said I felt that cycle hat requirements should be raised to the same standard of protection as motorcycle helmets before compulsion is considered - not that all cyclists should wear motorcycle helmets

I use a MET cycle lid FYI

 

[Linford]

You're making this all up as you go aren't you? Cycling with babies is fine as soon as their neck muscles are developed enough to hold their head up which is around 9months to a year. At that age its better without a helmet because of the extra load the weight of a helmet puts on the developing neck muscles.

And the bumps and jolts they receive are no worse than in a car - or are you proposing children under 3 should not be carried in a car either?
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3595

The bumps and jolts they receive are far greater than a car, as the majority of baby carrying cycles have no suspension at all - a child carrying car seat is strapped to a foam car seat and mounted on a vehicle with damped long travel suspension - they are chalk and cheese,

 

[Red Light]

Are you being wilfully stupid on this issue ?

If you read my previous comments on the issue, I said I felt that cycle hat requirements should be raised to the same standard of protection as motorcycle helmets before compulsion is considered - not that all cyclists should wear motorcycle helmets

Really? You said:

Motorcycle helmet standards on the other hand have already been proven to work at much higher impact speeds than experienced when cycling, so it would be a logical step to improve cycle helmet standards to match that which motorcycle helmets have to reach.

So since you already have available to you a helmet that meets the standards that motorcycle helmets have to meet viz. a motorcycle helmet, why isn't it logical for you to wear it when cycling? Or do you have in mind inventing some new unobtanium material that magically overcomes the laws of physics and achieves what no motorcycle helmet manufacturer has been able to achieve - a motorcycle helmet that is as light as a cycle helmet and protective as a motorcycle helmet?

 

[Linford]

Really? You said:


So since you already have available to you a helmet that meets the standards that motorcycle helmets have to meet viz. a motorcycle helmet, why isn't it logical for you to wear it when cycling? Or do you have in mind inventing some new unobtanium material that magically overcomes the laws of physics and achieves what no motorcycle helmet manufacturer has been able to achieve - a motorcycle helmet that is as light as a cycle helmet and protective as a motorcycle helmet?

Because you sweat too much whilst cycling for the lining materials and venting of a regular crash helmet which are designed to keep your head dry, and wind noise to an acceptable level at 70mph.

I've got an idea - when you have experience with both disciplines, and wearing both types for extended periods whilst riding , come back and debate this again. You might be able to do it on an equal level.....

 

[Red Light]

The bumps and jolts they receive are far greater than a car, as the majority of baby carrying cycles have no suspension at all - a child carrying car seat is strapped to a foam car seat and mounted on a vehicle with damped long travel suspension - they are chalk and cheese,

And cycles have much bigger diameter wheels, travel more slowly and are able to avoid potholes and road humps/cushions that cars can't. In Copenhagen 25% of two child families have a cargo bike to transport them and they start from about 8 weeks old. Yet there is no evidence of increased shaken baby syndrome in the Danes nor of a generation of brain damaged kids. But we know you won't let facts get in the way of your opinions so continue making it up as you go.

 

[dellzeqq]

Really? You said:


So since you already have available to you a helmet that meets the standards that motorcycle helmets have to meet viz. a motorcycle helmet, why isn't it logical for you to wear it when cycling? Or do you have in mind inventing some new unobtanium material that magically overcomes the laws of physics and achieves what no motorcycle helmet manufacturer has been able to achieve - a motorcycle helmet that is as light as a cycle helmet and protective as a motorcycle helmet?

I might even switch him on for the reply to this one!

 

[Linford]

And this from a man who doesn't even ride a bike...

How old are you and how long have you been cycling ?

 

[Linford]

And cycles have much bigger diameter wheels, travel more slowly and are able to avoid potholes and road humps/cushions that cars can't. In Copenhagen 25% of two child families have a cargo bike to transport them and they start from about 8 weeks old. Yet there is no evidence of increased shaken baby syndrome in the Danes nor of a generation of brain damaged kids. But we know you won't let facts get in the way of your opinions so continue making it up as you go.

Can you supply a source for reference ?

My 4x4 has 31.5" diameter tyres on 15" diameter rims running at 30psi . both my last road bike and hybrid had 700c rims with tyres which were about 3'4" thick and running at least 90psi

 

[Red Light]

Because you sweat too much whilst cycling for the lining materials and venting of a regular crash helmet which are designed to keep your head dry, and wind noise to an acceptable level at 70mph.

I've got an idea - when you have experience with both disciplines, and wearing both types for extended periods whilst riding , come back and debate this again. You might be able to do it on an equal level.....

I've ridden motorbikes and cycled too so we are on an equal level there. But where we are not on an equal level is your (lack of) understanding of cycle and motorcycle helmet design. When you've worked out how to design a cycle helmet that can meet motorcycle helmet standards do come back and let us know.

 

[Linford]

I've ridden motorbikes and cycled too so we are on an equal level there. .

Please elaborate ?