Boris and the great helmet debate...

[Origamist]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/06/17/do1701.xml

In a nutshell:
As for cycle helmets, we should be allowed, in our muddled way, to make up our own minds. Sometimes we will go for hatless, sun-blessed, windswept liberty; sometimes for helmeted security.

The important thing is that we assess the risk, we make the decision, and be it on our own heads - or, in the case of my helmet, sometimes not

 

[domtyler]

Cripes! He's actually spoken some sense!

 

[byegad]

Reminds me a local woman who's son was knocked off his bike by a car, he sustained a broken ankle and she started a Cycle Helmet Campaign!

 

[Riding in Circles]

I rarely wear one.

 

[domtyler]

Great story in the comments there. A bloke on a shared path comes a cropper due to a woman's dog and ends up in the ditch. "You should keep your dog under control" he cries to which the woman responds "Well your not even wearing a helmet"!!! FFS

 

[zimzum42]

Good old Bozza, it was always going to be good to get someone 'real' in office. He may not be 'working class real', but at least he's not a bland automaton like Milliband and the like.....

 

[John the Monkey]

Ah, I like the way he writes.

 

[Tynan]

so the regular rider can weigh up the risks and benefits can they? motorcyclists said mandatory crash helmets were an infringement etc etc

this isn't sense, it's just ducking the issue and keeping everyone happy

 

[zimzum42]

So, you think they should be compulsory? I'm not sure what you're saying.....

It's not about weighing up the risks, it's about being aware fo the risk, and choosing to ignore it.
Motorbikes are far, far different, you're never going to get up to 80mphon a bicycle.....

 

[Keith Oates]

It's good to see that he does sometimes say something that we can agree with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BentMikey]

I'm impressed, and I didn't expect to be.

Just two points that render the motorcycle helmet comparison invalid are that motorcycle use is several times more dangerous in terms of accidents than cycling, and the helmets can have much more serious protection
since they don't have the same ventilation and weight limitations that cycle helmets have.

 

[Tynan]

my only point was that pre mandatory crash helmet lots of bikers said it was their choice, not useful, yada yada

that's all

point being that they were clearly not qualified to fully judge the issue, given the lack of compelling scientific evidence on either side of the cycle helmet debate I think it's reasonable to say the same about the need for cycle helmets

 

[Jaded]

my only point was that pre mandatory crash helmet lots of bikers said it was their choice, not useful, yada yada

that's all

point being that they were clearly not qualified to fully judge the issue, given the lack of compelling scientific evidence on either side of the cycle helmet debate I think it's reasonable to say the same about the need for cycle helmets

It isn't clear what you are saying here.

You are saying because there isn't a lot of evidence people should be forced to wear helmets?

 

[Riding in Circles]

It isn't clear what you are saying here.

You are saying because there isn't a lot of evidence people should be forced to wear helmets?

Asbestos underwear at the ready folks.

 

[cupoftea]

There isn't compleing evidence that stoping at red's is safe or dangerous





Light fuse and step back





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