GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
Rule n. You need to have the needful to fix a puncture and know how to do it.
I've started something...
- Thread starter Retribution03
- Start date
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I think that's a fair statement based on the fact that it's your ride and people have asked to join you. Just don't expect any rational person to want to join you based on those rules that's all. I certainly wouldn't join you.
The point is, the person arranging the ride has the right to decide if it suits them or not. This seems to have been lost from the OP's thread opener. He has never said that he will force anyone to do anything that they don't want to do.
I ride a motorbike on my commute each day. Only one stretch of ride allows me to travel faster than I can travel on my bicycle. Would you even consider not wearing a helmet on a motorbike for that journey? Why would that answer not be the same as if on a bicycle? Please don't say solely because of the legality!?!
OP
OP
Retribution03
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Cleethorpes
The same as if you don't like any request then dont do it.
OP
OP
Retribution03
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Cleethorpes
Well from this thread I think 70% would be happy to ride with me and 30% think I'm an idiot or tyrant or want locking up in a padded cell or all of the above!!
up hill struggle
Well-Known Member
- Location
- newtownards, county down
perfectly reasonable that you request I do not wear a helmet, the have right to request & I will respect you right to request it.
I do believe however that a helmet may help protect me from a serious head injury & if you won't let me join your group on the basis that I wish to wear a helmet then it is my right to say thanks but no thanks I want to wear the helmet so I will either ride by myself or join a different group, that would be my right & I hope you would respect my wishes even if they differ from your in just the same way as I respect others wishes.
I do believe however that a helmet may help protect me from a serious head injury & if you won't let me join your group on the basis that I wish to wear a helmet then it is my right to say thanks but no thanks I want to wear the helmet so I will either ride by myself or join a different group, that would be my right & I hope you would respect my wishes even if they differ from your in just the same way as I respect others wishes.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
Leaving aside the dictatorial argument - can I ask if you've actually looked at some of the statistics; in particular in Australia & Ontario Canada - compulsion had been introduced and helmet wearing rates went up from not-many to nearly-everyone, but injury and killed RATES seemingly went up (numbers of cyclists went down).
That was the result that convinced me to no longer wear one, along with some other fact(oid) which suggested similar head injury rates for pedestrians. Of course that's not a reason for not wearing a pedestrian helmet, but it made me think
Like yourself I previously believed people who didn't wear helmets were stupid - seems I was the stupid one (or at least the ignorant one).
The reason OP asks the other cyclists to wear a helmet is to assure his kids that its right to do so and safe.
If he allows cyclists not to wear them , his kids would moan ..why do we have to wear one if they aren't etc.. so I think its perfectely
reasonable for the OP to bring up his children the way in which he believes in safety issues on the road.
If he allows cyclists not to wear them , his kids would moan ..why do we have to wear one if they aren't etc.. so I think its perfectely
reasonable for the OP to bring up his children the way in which he believes in safety issues on the road.
wintergreen
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Sunny Manchester
I have no problem with you asking people who join you on rides to wear a helmet but must say I wouldn't join you on a ride.
What age will your kids be when you let them make their own decisions? Do you not think forcing them to wear helmets could be counter productive?
I know if I was forced to wear a helmet as a kid then the second I was out of sight of my parents the helmet would have been launched in to the nearest bin but then I grew up in an age when parents didn't wrap kids in cotton wool.
What age will your kids be when you let them make their own decisions? Do you not think forcing them to wear helmets could be counter productive?
I know if I was forced to wear a helmet as a kid then the second I was out of sight of my parents the helmet would have been launched in to the nearest bin but then I grew up in an age when parents didn't wrap kids in cotton wool.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
MOD NOTE:
A few 'helmet-debate' posts have been Deleted, as that is NOT the purpose of the OP.
Keep to the OP's question, keep away from the helmet debate ... and <breathe> continue the thread.
Well ok, but the OP's question was a helmet point in the first place.
(And dare I say slightly mischieviously so)
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
I've also started a friends cycling group as the OP described and a club. In both cases the only rules are the legal requirements.
I for one would not ride with a group with a mandatory helmet rule.
I would not also enforce something for which there is no proof of efficacy and might have the potential for harm. It's an individual choice with the risk up to the wearer only and nobody else.
Regarding children and helmets, mine wore them when very small and a helmet offers some protection against low speed falls. As they became road-proficient (eg my lad now at 14) I have no mandate on helmet wearing.
Mrs FF chooses to wear one and that's her choice.
Regarding your own children, you must use your own judgement of course, BUT I would explain to them that other people (adults in particular) have a right to see things differently to you and that your mandate to your children is because you are responsible for them and not responsible for what others do. Thus whilst they are in your house and your care they should abide by your requests. I don't think that unreasonable.
I for one would not ride with a group with a mandatory helmet rule.
I would not also enforce something for which there is no proof of efficacy and might have the potential for harm. It's an individual choice with the risk up to the wearer only and nobody else.
Regarding children and helmets, mine wore them when very small and a helmet offers some protection against low speed falls. As they became road-proficient (eg my lad now at 14) I have no mandate on helmet wearing.
Mrs FF chooses to wear one and that's her choice.
Regarding your own children, you must use your own judgement of course, BUT I would explain to them that other people (adults in particular) have a right to see things differently to you and that your mandate to your children is because you are responsible for them and not responsible for what others do. Thus whilst they are in your house and your care they should abide by your requests. I don't think that unreasonable.
Last edited:
flyingfish
Senior Member
- Location
- Luton
I was told that helmets on motorbikes were dangerous in the 70s...... Hard hats on building sites were dangerous in the 80s
Now helmets are dangerous on bikes. Think I will keep wearing mine.
Pete
Now helmets are dangerous on bikes. Think I will keep wearing mine.
Pete
