Big_Dave
The unlikely Cyclist
- Location
- Alfreton, Derbyshire
Didn't know that, I stand correctedNo VAT on cycle helmets.
Didn't know that, I stand correctedNo VAT on cycle helmets.
You should care @Big_Dave and it should bother you. If we look at compulsion in other countries, Australia for example, there is no question that following the introduction of a helmet law the amount of people cycling dropped. The very simple fact is that the more people there are cycling the safer it is for cyclists, the less people there are cycling the less safe it is and that applies to whether you wear a helmet or not. Quite simply if helmets were made compulsory in the UK it is very likely that cycling would become a more dangerous pastime for YOU, and that's why it should bother you.
Please don't think that I am in anyway suggesting you do not wear a helemt, that decision is for the individual. It is important however that it remains that way, that includes from both compulsion and peer pressure. The amount of people cycling affects the experience for those that cycle in a number of ways, the obvious one is motorised traffic are more used to seeing cyclists and one would hope they become a little more aware of how to act around them and maybe look out for them a litte more, but it also affects infrastructure, as you say cycling at the moment is pretty big business and councils are spending money on installing cycle lanes and paths and on their upkeep. Whether the infrastructure being put in place is always what is best for the cyclist is perhaps another debate, but what is certain is that without the increasing volume of cyclists to cater for the councils would not be spending. If cycling numbers decrease it affects not just your safety (and mine) it may also affect that nice cycle path you use when you go for a spin on a Sunday afternoon with the family.I can see you are passionate about this, the fact remains that in the uk the majority already wear a helmet so it is unlikely to have a significant effect here, I've rode motorcycles all my adult life and so I am used to wearing a helmet. Cycling in the uk at the moment quite fashionable, I cycled since childhood and a good proportion of my adult life, way before it was fashionable and no doubt will continue long after the fashion fad brigade find another obsession to rave about.
Lets just say, If you where lobbying against helmet law, and the law came in, the majority said right we are no longer going to cycle and gave it up, would you continue to cycle and wear a helmet to save cycling or give it up on principal along with the majority. Don't get me wrong, it's a great debate, but if it stays as we are with no law then everyone's happy
So McWobble, are you saying a cycle helmet would offer no protection against an impact to your head in a cycle crash?
No reason. apart from suffering a bad head injury.
@broadway Sorry I think should have explained better my post, builder wears hard hats as to protect from falling objects from above or bang head on scaffolding not as in a fall, but wears no protection against falling off a ladder
@Mugshot Most will follow what pro's wear whatever the sport, having personally suffered head injuries made my decision for wearing one, I'm not a dedicated follower of fashion, never have been..
Guys, everyone has a right to their own opinion albiet whoever is right or wrong, just because there are 2 sides to an argument doesn't make either side right or wrong, it's a complex debate and each accident has it's own variables as to if, what, how or could have been. You do at the moment have the right to choose to wear or not to wear, if it ever became law then yes you could kick a stink up about it if you were that against it. move on
We've discussed this before. I would carry on cycling without a helmet.
I still don't understand why those for whom such a law would make no difference make such a fuss about this issue. If you want to wear a helmet, go ahead. Just shut up with the preaching to other people who would be affected if the position changed.
I got slated earlier for wearing on helmet, for no reason other than the fact they don't like wearing helmets in their way of thinking is more dangerous, personally I wear one because I want to, I don't think any less of someone who doesn't, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, this thread is the for and (mainly) against the protection of a cycle helmet in an accident, admittedly it went a little off topic, just because someone who has different view and you don't like doesn't make them preaching about it, it is freedom of speech whether you agree with the subject or not!!We've discussed this before. I would carry on cycling without a helmet.
I still don't understand why those for whom such a law would make no difference make such a fuss about this issue. If you want to wear a helmet, go ahead. Just shut up with the preaching to other people who would be affected if the position changed.
That is a fair comment which personally think is a little unfair, everyone of a certain age has cycled without a helmet in their life, myself included even as a child because cycle helmets didn't exist.You don't get people writing "if you wear a helmet, you are an idiot".
I'll edit itChildren didn't exist back in your day?
can't argue with thatSorry, I don't understand how that answers my point, which is that the criticism, campaigning, lobbying etc is all one way. There is no campaign looking to stop people from wearing helmets, to outlaw helmets etc. There isn't even any pointing and laughing, except for instances of putting a hi-viz cover on top of a helmet because, face facts, they look like radioactive mushrooms.
Firstly it is not a concession. We are not negotiating anything here.
Here, with a tiny amount of searching helmet threads for me using the words "no one", I find you:
Example One
Example Two
What tends to be missed or ignored is that the likelyhood of it happening is rather similar to several other everyday activities, walking for example.