Wiggins is now pro-compulsion it seems .... Nobber.

[stoatsngroats]

Brad is perfectly entitled to have a voice on his impression of safety improvements when wearing a helmet, but goes too far when entices opinions as to whether others must.
Some of us don't compete, and are at less risk, than those who do compete. Club rules can legitimately regulate for competitors, as each has a choice whether to take part.
For non competitive cycling, even recreational cycling, there must always remain a choice. The reason that this choice must retain is simply this, there is no law against taking risk, even if it has the potential to harm. Smoking is one example, inflatables on open water, eating unhealthy food, to name a few. We must be allowed to choose what we do.

 

[screenman]

Whilst I have given a like to Stoat, some of the things he mentioned has an effect on others, where as wearing a helmet will only effect the wearer or non wearer.

 

[doog]

Are you suggesting that a cyclist who is hospitalised without having been in a collision with a motor vehicle is not recorded? Because that's rubbish.

Hospitalised ?...where did you get that from..other than your OTT suggestion. If every cyclist who suffered an injury went to hospital they wouldnt cope.

 

[stoatsngroats]

Whilst I have given a like to Stoat, some of the things he mentioned has an effect on others, where as wearing a helmet will only effect the wearer or non wearer.

Fair point, I intended to show how we each make a choice about our own health and well-being for ourselves, and which isn't prevented by legislation. I realise that extending the consideration of harm to others isn't necessarily comparable with cycling helmet use, but my point remains!

 

[ufkacbln]

30,000 miles a year for ninety years, my mistake.

Which really rather insults the genuine high mileage cyclist

CYCLING pensioner Chris Davies is celebrating more than half a century of pedal power.
The 73-year-old has recorded every single cycling journey he has been on over the last 60 years.

The diary includes numerous entries of his cycle journeys - some long, some short.




Mr Davies, of East Street, Havant, has cycled almost one million miles in the saddle during his lifetime.




He cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats - and back again - and fulfilled a life-long dream in 2004.

However, his first cycle ride, logged in his special diary, was not quite so long.

It was a journey from Havant to Hayling Island.

The unstoppable pensioner, who was also The News' cycling correspondent for many years, says he plans to carry on cycling as long as possible.

 

[benb]

I think if you read it like it did, it says most cycling incidents of minor injury are not reported.

Who gives a toss about minor injuries? We're talking about whether helmets are effective at reducing serious injury or death, aren't we?

Hospitalised ?...where did you get that from..other than your OTT suggestion. If every cyclist who suffered an injury went to hospital they wouldnt cope.

See above.

 

[snorri]

That's a lot of miles. And you must have cycled past a LOT of people, too. Can you name them all/any?

Dayvo, as an old hand on CC you should know by now it's not the names of cyclists or how many you pass in a lifetime that's important, it's how many you wave to before reaching the pearly gates. That's all that St Peter considers.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

If you want evidence of all the disadvantages of a mandatory helmet law, refer to Australia. I sincerely hope the UK doesn't introduce such a law, because it will most likely reduce cycling rates*** and increase obesity rates, just like it has here.

*** thereby increasing the danger to cyclists, because (a) motorists won't be as used to seeing them on the roads, and (b) the safety-in-numbers factor will be reduced.

 

[screenman]

Benb, sorry I did not see those rules.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Forgot to mention: if helmets are such good things, then motorists and pedestrians should start wearing them immediately! As for Wiggin's comment on iPods, how bloody hypocritical. Motorists drive around with loud sound systems blasting out all sorts of doof-doof crap, so why is there no call for these to be removed from motor vehicles?

 

[Joffey]

I'm pleased the heat has gone off me for now...

 

[benb]

Benb, sorry I did not see those rules.

To clarify: If someone is saying "I wear a helmet because it might prevent a bump or some road rash, but don't expect it to to any more than that" then that's fine.
But there are many people, including on this very thread, who are convinced, regardless of the evidence, that helmets are effective at reducing serious head injuries and deaths. That's what I am arguing about.

And if you are suggesting that it's worthwhile wearing a helmet just to prevent a cut or a scrape, then you ought to wear one at all times, to be consistent.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I also have had a few off's over the years as have my kids, none have been reported as far as I know of.

I'm pretty sure that's as good an anecdotal argument against helmet use as any isn't it? Or are you saying every off was saved from needing to go to hospital because a helmet was involved?

 

[screenman]

I'm pretty sure that's as good an anecdotal argument against helmet use as any isn't it? Or are you saying every off was saved from needing to go to hospital because a helmet was involved?

No, I was saying that most accidents on bikes go unreported. Whilst most accidents involving injury in cars is reported.

 

[screenman]

To clarify: If someone is saying "I wear a helmet because it might prevent a bump or some road rash, but don't expect it to to any more than that" then that's fine.
But there are many people, including on this very thread, who are convinced, regardless of the evidence, that helmets are effective at reducing serious head injuries and deaths. That's what I am arguing about.

And if you are suggesting that it's worthwhile wearing a helmet just to prevent a cut or a scrape, then you ought to wear one at all times, to be consistent.

I have choice, which is what I am advocating.