Why wouldn't you wear a helmet

[mjr]

I suspect it will take a lot longer in the UK as our attitudes have been programmed for a long time and nothing short of a generation change (or two) will allow reprogramming to the correct level.

I think it's also going to take a while to undo the late-20th-century rebuilding of many British urban streets into a schizophrenic split between car-dominated carriageways and pedestrian zones. A big difference in a lot of European towns and cities seems to be that central streets usually don't feel like places where it's safe to do 20-30mph (in a motor vehicle or otherwise!) and expect everyone else to get out of your way. I don't think many other places bashed up their centres quite so enthusiastically, for various reasons, sometimes including simply lacking the budget to do so.

 

[jonny jeez]

I think it's also going to take a while to undo the late-20th-century rebuilding of many British urban streets into a schizophrenic split between car-dominated carriageways and pedestrian zones. A big difference in a lot of European towns and cities seems to be that central streets usually don't feel like places where it's safe to do 20-30mph (in a motor vehicle or otherwise!) and expect everyone else to get out of your way. I don't think many other places bashed up their centres quite so enthusiastically, for various reasons, sometimes including simply lacking the budget to do so.

Agreed...google "exhibition row" in London...i have an old video of this some place...deliberately chaotic and seems to work perfectly well

 

[glasgowcyclist]

"Old age killed my teenage bride".

I don't know that reference... sorry.

GC

 

[david k]

Oh yes, no one on here mocks helmets wearers.
!

Pictures of thudgaurds, tin foil hats and numerous anecdotes of banging head when in kitchens should I therefore wear a helmet etc.

No mocking of helmet wearers?

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

I don't know that reference... sorry.

GC

Apparently it's a Half Man Half Biscuit song. Not listened to it, but I hope it's as good as Vatican Broadside.

 

[MontyVeda]

Pictures of thudgaurds, tin foil hats and numerous anecdotes of banging head when in kitchens should I therefore wear a helmet etc.

No mocking of helmet wearers?

The thudguard isn't mocking... it's just another piece of PPE. Nor is examples of head injuries sustained whist not cycling a 'mock'... they're just other examples of head injuries that can occur.

 

[david k]

The thudguard isn't mocking... it's just another piece of PPE. Nor is examples of head injuries sustained whist not cycling a 'mock'... they're just other examples of head injuries that can occur.

Oh I see, my error, and there's me thinking they were taking the p1ss

Of course they were just being insightful! FFS

 

[Drago]

They're infantile, and all they do is demain and belittle the pro-choice stance.

 

[mcshroom]

They are there to make you think. Why do you advocate 'PPE' for one activity but not for others of similar/higher risk? Where is the consistency?

 

[david k]

They are there to make you think. Why do you advocate 'PPE' for one activity but not for others of similar/higher risk? Where is the consistency?

But are they mocking?

 

[benb]

There is mocking of idiotic arguments, anecdotes presented as fact, wooly reasoning, appeals to authority, hypocrisy and inconsistency. And that's as it should be.

No one has been mocked simply for exercising their choice to wear a helmet.

 

[Drago]

They're there to steer the argument away from the subject under defence, and they are inevitably applied to unlikely and inappropriate scenarios. Its the Sort of petulance one expects from a child who isn't getting their own way.

If one is pro choice then give a well reasoned rationale to support that position. Telling someone to wear a helmet when sat on the loo in case a piano re enters from low Earth orbit - or some other utterly implausible scenario - smacks only of desperation.

Tell the great public why YOU shouldn't. Not why THEY should.

 

[AndyWilliams]

I like cycling without one - it really is as simple as that.

This is exactly the answer my mate said. No other reason. I accept it. I, prefer riding without one, I don't.

I just don't question other peoples choice. Up to them. I respect that.

 

[Drago]

This is exactly the answer my mate said. No other reason. I accept it. I, prefer riding without one, I don't.

I just don't question other peoples choice. Up to them. I respect that.

Exactly. I am very much pro choice, and don't feel the need to tell old ladies to wear helmets when sat on the bus to justify my choice.

 

[david k]

Why wouldn't I?
The reasons why I don't want to are entirely my own. I don't have to explain, let alone defend, the choices I make.

Five likes for this post, supporting your right not to have to explain or defend your view.

Is it support for your 'view, or your right not to have to explain it?

If truly your right then there should be the same support for someone with the opposite view who refuses to explain or defend it.