cyclists 1:0 polish government

[HJ]

The important point, as I see it, is that there is no direct evidence to the contrary.

Until someone shows beyond reasonable doubt that wearing hi-viz and helmet is likely to lead to injury or worse, then I'll carry on wearing them.

I happen to think that it should not be compulsory: I also think that if people choose not to wear such things, they should suffer the consequences, including reduced insurance pay-outs.

Evidently you haven't bothered to look for the evidence, there is plenty out there. As for insurance, there has yet to be a court case where the Insurance Company has succeeded in proving contributory negligence. Why should the victim be blamed for bad driving!

 

[DJ]

I feel naked without a helmet+hi-viz.(ooer)

I am naked without a hi-viz and helmet!!

In seriousness though I honestly feel not wearing a helmet is madness.

However seeing as there are so many people who do not want to wear one, then it should remain a choice.

 

[4F]

. I also think that if people choose not to wear such things, they should suffer the consequences, including reduced insurance pay-outs.

Oh ffs. Where do you want to draw the line ? Shall we include anyone who suffers an eye injury and does not wear glasses and hand injury's for those that do not wear gloves ?

 

[4F]

In seriousness though I honestly feel not wearing a helmet is madness.

Did you say madness ?
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-uyWAe0NhQ

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i rate good road positioning and anticipation as better lifesavers than helmets or hiviz. that said, i do wear a lid, but i don't dress like the bin men…

 

[HJ]

In seriousness though I honestly feel not wearing a helmet is madness.

Why??

The bicycle has been around since 1817, cycle helmets only became fashionable in the 1990's (on the back of the boom in MTBs), they are a fashion statement, not anything to do with road safety. Cycling on the road is no more dangerous then walking, no one goes around telling us that we should wear helmets to walk down the street, so why should it be so for cyclists...

 

[borsuk]

i don't wear a helmet or high-viz, though i have strips on my coat and lights. i do wear a helmet when i'm out with the kids because i insist they wear one, children being (a) more likely to fall ( less likely to catch themselves properly when they do fall and (c) much more susceptible to minor bangs on the head than adults.

anyhoo, for me it's all about choice and politicians who don't have a clue about cycling trying to impose their (ill-informed and heavy-handed) ideas on those of us who do cycle. i might feel different if one - just one - of those concerned actually cycled to the sejm (polish parliament) every day...

 

[HJ]

i do wear a helmet when i'm out with the kids because i insist they wear one, children being (a) more likely to fall ( less likely to catch themselves properly when they do fall and (c) much more susceptible to minor bangs on the head than adults.

I sometime wonder how it was that anyone in my generation (and all those which proceeded it) ever survived, we did all sorts of thing which we are now told are far too dangerous for children to do...

 

[numbnuts]

I like my helmet it keeps my long hair in place, if I didn’t at the end of the ride I would look like I came though a hedge backwards

 

[4F]

I sometime wonder how it was that anyone in my generation (and all those which proceeded it) ever survived, we did all sorts of thing which we are now told are far too dangerous for children to do...

Absolutely, important life skills are being lost.

 

[hackbike 666]

It's a bit different out there now as some of the driving is appalling.

 

[Brahan]

Cycling on the road is no more dangerous then walking...

Do you have proof of this? I mean that as a sincere question by the way. I would say that walking and cycling SHOULD be as safe as one another but there's no way that motorists take as much care when passing cyclists as they do peds.....

Also, the helmet issue. I had a head on smash a few years ago and the helmet I was wearing took all of the impact and was broken in to three seperate parts. I don't need 'scientific proof' to establish whether or not it helped me walk away from the scene. I agree in that it should a personal choice but I also would strongly recommend that everyone should at least try to wear one.

 

[4F]

I agree in that it should a personal choice

Agreed

 

[HJ]

Do you have proof of this? I mean that as a sincere question by the way. I would say that walking and cycling SHOULD be as safe as one another but there's no way that motorists take as much care when passing cyclists as they do peds.....

Well you evidently walked along a road without a separate pavement recently, do you really think take more care??

As for the stats on the risk level, there is plenty of evidence out there if look for it, here is one source

Also, the helmet issue. I had a head on smash a few years ago and the helmet I was wearing took all of the impact and was broken in to three seperate parts. I don't need 'scientific proof' to establish whether or not it helped me walk away from the scene. I agree in that it should a personal choice but I also would strongly recommend that everyone should at least try to wear one.

Oh yes the "a helmet saved my life" argument again, as someone who has two degrees in science, I tend to be some what sceptically of anecdotal evidence. I am not disputing you story, just the efficiency of the helmet. See here for more on this argument.

I would strongly recommend that everyone should at least try not to fall off their bikes...

 

[Brahan]

Oh yes the "a helmet saved my life" argument again, as someone who has two degrees in science, I tend to be some what sceptically of anecdotal evidence. I am not disputing you story, just the efficiency of the helmet. See here for more on this argument....

Argument?

You could have ten science degrees mate, but it still wouldn't change my mind. Where did I actually say I would have died anyway? Look, the fact is this: If I was going to have that (exact) same accident again on my way home tonight I would rather wear a helmet. It might not be required to actually save my life but it would stop my head from scraping along the road. (which is what happened to me before) For £30 that seems like a pretty good deal to me!

I would strongly recommend that everyone should at least try not to fall off their bikes...

That's great advice. I'll make sure I pass it 'round.