Please wear a helmet when biking

[MC1]

Originally Posted by CPW

All the arguments are not going to change anyone's opinion or riding habits, so this is really a moot discussion.

I disagree. For years many of us non smokers have been working on telling smokers to stop, it is not good for your health. Most have listened to reason and stopped the habit but there are still some who still don't get it.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by CPW

It would seem to me that all the advocates of helmet wear are not going to convince non-wearers, and the non-wearers are not going to sway those who wish to wear with statistics that drivers get closer to bicyclists wearing helmets or that knowing one has a helmet on might lead to overconfidence. All the arguments are not going to change anyone's opinion or riding habits, so this is really a moot discussion.


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What's wrong with a good discussion.

We all know that some things which appear obvious, are not. Wearing a helmet sounds like the right thing to do, but thinking it is the right thing and being the right thing are not necessarily the same thing.

Nothing wrong with looking for facts to back up the obvious.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by MC1

I disagree. For years many of us non smokers have been working on telling smokers to stop, it is not good for your health. Most have listened to reason and stopped the habit but there are still some who still don't get it.

Smokers have chosen to stop not based on someone's opinion or telling them it's a bad/nasty habit. Smokers are choosing to stop based on scientific medical facts. If smoking wasn't a health hazard, it's doubtful anyone would quit no matter the smell or costs.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by MC1

I disagree. For years many of us non smokers have been working on telling smokers to stop, it is not good for your health. Most have listened to reason and stopped the habit but there are still some who still don't get it.

And what makes you think it is your personal anti-smoking crusade that has resulted in reduction in smoking. Perhaps it was rising tobacco taxes or laws restricting tobacco use in public places that have discouraged use. If what you say is correct there would be relatively few new smokers (the teen crowd) but that is simply not true. And from what I see, many but not most have stopped. Lots ignore the health consequences. It is an addiction, and a problem as in increasing obesity. I don't believe it has anything at all to do with "not getting it." But you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
How about it. Off topic, but any reformed smokers out there? Why did you quit?


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[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Huck

What's wrong with a good discussion.

We all know that some things which appear obvious, are not. Wearing a helmet sounds like the right thing to do, but thinking it is the right thing and being the right thing are not necessarily the same thing.

Nothing wrong with looking for facts to back up the obvious.

I have absolutely no problem with a good discussion. All I'm saying is that all the discussion in the world on this topic is unlikely to change anyone's riding habits or opinions. Hey, go to campgrounds where there is a rule that all children under 16 must wear a helmet if riding a bicycle. Ever see that rule being broken?


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[Mike Magee]

The state we live in does not require motorcycle riders to wear helmets. I'm fine with that, because people should have a choice. But the ones I see buzzing along at 65 mph with no helmet... well, I figure they're trying to raise the average IQ in the gene pool! If there's a substantial risk at 15 or 20 mph, who do these guys going 65 think they are, Superman?

[C&G in FL]

Mike,
I would think that they are employees of Mother Nature, hired to be examples of natural selection at work!


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[floyd]

Obey these standards or you must be stupid, stupid, stupid....

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

The state we live in does not require motorcycle riders to wear helmets. I'm fine with that, because people should have a choice. But the ones I see buzzing along at 65 mph with no helmet... well, I figure they're trying to raise the average IQ in the gene pool! If there's a substantial risk at 15 or 20 mph, who do these guys going 65 think they are, Superman?

Mike,

Just a thought, I've read that the average IQ has been dropping for about 100 years.

I also live in a non-helmet state however if I road a motorcycle I would wear a helmet.

As to this topic, it's a good one because every one I know who rides a two wheeled vehicle eventual falls, bike or motorcycle.

When I read the stories on this site and talk to my 'rider' friends I think of my dad. He would say "Life is a series of choices, make good ones".

It's apparent to me that choosing a helmet is wise, but I would never suggest mandating it for someone else.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by MC1

Please wear a helmet.

Originally Posted by Huck

What's wrong with a good discussion.

Originally Posted by floyd

Obey these standards or you must be stupid, stupid, stupid....

...but this "progression" has become a problem.
The detour into the smoking issue didn't help. The choice of emoticons didn't help either.
A line may not have been crossed yet, but the envelope has been pushed.

I am reporting this for moderator review.

[Pam Garlow]

We all have our views as to the safest way to live, and pursue our hobbies. And many have scientific studies and data to back up their views. But in the end, everyone is free to make their own choices.

I'm not sure that this thread is going anywhere productive at this point.
Time to cease fire and call a truce.

[MC1]

It is a surprise to see the negative comments about wearing a helmet when cycling. I just assumed it was the thing to do.

I started the thread as a reminder to folks that safety is the benefit and it is highly recommended.

It appears there are folks out there that feel for a variety of reasons that it is not something they want to do. .....Good luck and safe pedaling to all.

[honda03842]

Personally I thought it was a reasonable discussion and with good intentions.

One of our members had a bad incident on a bike and recognized that a helmet was a good consideration when riding, sharing with us his life experience. He should be thanked for sharing what I'm sure was a trauma.

Obviously some did not agree. That's OK.

Floyd's cartoon was humor. No one should be upset by it. It's not too far off. I drive around Florida all the time and see ponds fenced in by the state. When I was a kid fencing ponds would have been ludicrous, who would have had money for such an activity.

I see no danger in this thread. It prompted little, if not no anger. People sharing their views about for the most part a rather common RV activity.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson

...but this "progression" has become a problem.
The detour into the smoking issue didn't help. The choice of emoticons didn't help either.
A line may not have been crossed yet, but the envelope has been pushed.

I am reporting this for moderator review.

Well bless your heart... You and I agree.
My point was to object to those who were using ad hominem to begin with.

The cartoon and the comment were designed to do just that.
Look back in the comments and read where "Dumb" and "stupid" were used in earnest.

Perhaps I should have just gone to a moderator(You?) myself, but I really thought most would get the point made with a little levity.

Still I guess a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.
I have a very intelligent friend who stopped using sarcasm many years ago because he complained that most people just don't get it, and besides, they think you're sarcastic if you just tell the plain truth anyway!

Please notice I have not taken a position on this thread on the subject of bicycle helmets.

BTW; You are a moderator, aren't you?
If so, your efforts are certainly appreciated.

[sokhapkin]

Originally Posted by Huck

In looking at the stats, if you don't want to die in a bicycle accident:

• Don't be male
• Don't ride in an urban area
• Don't ride after 4 pm
• Don't drink and ride

Actually #4 should be #1.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by floyd

Perhaps I should have just gone to a moderator(You?) myself, but I really thought most would get the point made with a little levity.

Floyd....I would vote for you to be the next moderator.


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[Gilda]

One more reminder. Not only wear a helmet but BUCKLE THE CHIN STRAP! A helmet does no good if it flies off your head.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Gilda

One more reminder. Not only wear a helmet but BUCKLE THE CHIN STRAP! A helmet does no good if it flies off your head.

Gilda, as well...... bike helmets have a front and back. Too often we see them worn backwards

[dylanear]

Originally Posted by CPW

Not a fair comparison, Floyd. In Einstein's time there was no such thing as a bicycle helmet. As a kid growing up in the. 50s, I never even saw a bicycle helmet. Who's to say what AE would have done if he were alive and riding a bicycle today?

Agreed, if Obama had gone out on a bike without a helmet?! Oh the uproar about him not setting a good example for kids. And would we want Biden as President because of a bad, unhelmeted bike accident on Obamas part?

Originally Posted by CPW

That being said, I am 100% for freedom of choice, whether you are riding a bicycle, a motorcycle, rock climbing, or even walking down the road. Summing up, if it makes you happy and gives you a sense of security to wear a helmet, then do so, but stop preaching to those who choose not to. Let's allow individuals to be responsible if there are consequences for their choices, e.g., I will NEVER concede that McDonalds is responsible for someone getting burned by hot coffee because they were stupid (yes, stupid) enough to put the cup between their legs in a moving car. I do wear a bicycle helmet but that is because I choose to do so. And I will apologize in advance if my opinion offends someone, but we all have a right to choose what our opinions will be.

I agree a helmet is a very good idea, agree that it's a personal choice.

But the McDonalds coffee thing? It wasn't a moving car, she wasn't driving, she was trying to put the sugar and creme in the cup sitting in the passenger seat in the parking lot. She did not become a millionaire from that suit. The jury found that she did have some responsibilities for her own injuries from the spill she indeed caused and adjusted the settlement accordingly. McDonalds had received hundreds of complaints of their coffee being too hot, often causing injury and did nothing about it. She only sued after they refused to come close to paying her medical bills. They could have gotten off cheap. The whole thing has been widely misrepresented by pro-unregulated business, pro-tort reform groups to keep Corporations from being responsible for their practices in many different ways. You do realize the entire reason a corporation exists is to reduce their responsibilities/liabilities when there are debts or legal obligations. Sometimes that lower risk helps new ideas become reality, generates jobs and helps the economy. But left unchecked it let's small groups of people get away scot free for things no individual would get away with. If you read the facts of the case, it's not such a frivolous a suit and the damages awarded make a lot more sense. But, CPW, you've stated you would "NEVER" accept this viewpoint, so I don't expect you too.

https://www.caoc.org/index.cfm?pg=facts

Anyway, if I'm side tracking the conversation, sorry.

Take care your noggins!

[Mary F]

Okay, the points pertaining to this subject have been made. This thread is closed.