I've started something...

[Fab Foodie]

But you don't make your kids wear a helmet in a car, where the risk of head injury is greater than on a bike.

And herein lies the rub ....

Contrary to popular belief there is no 'anti-helmet' brigade as such, BUT there are those (and I am one) who are strongly anti compulsion. However, when I read/hear of people compelling others to wear a helmet on the basis of little or no evidence I feel it's right to debate the point. The reason is that most people take the fact that helmets improve their safety as a matter of common sense, when there is no evidence or they have not even looked into the evidence for or against their view. I agree that Children are an exception where helmets have some limited value.

For the record, I was one of the first hard-shell helmet wearers back in the early 80s when I commuted in London (and if you think commuting is bad in London now, you know nothing). Thanks to the interweb, the learned people here and elsewhere, and some 40 years experience, I've realised that helmets are pretty much an irrelevance regarding cycling in safety. It's a message that has little financial backing however ....

 

[ianrauk]

I do find it very sad that a parent would willingly ban their children from the simple enjoyment, pastime and safe activity of cycling if they refuse to use a plastic hat.

 

[glenn forger]

You can encourage cycling or impose helmet use. You can't do both.

 

[ufkacbln]

Didn't realise there was such an anti helmet brigade so why not tell the kids that go skateboarding scootering and bmxing not to wear any protection because it doesn't prevent any injuries and by some accounts could even be more harmful!!!its simple they are my rules people either stick to them or don't ride with us.

How is promoting the Thudguard anti-helmet.

It may ask some uncomfortable questions, but surely it makes the same common sense decision as you have made about cycle helmets and imposed upon others?

 

[ufkacbln]

They wouldn't be allowed out on them mate.

Did you make them wear Thudguards, if not why not?

 

[ufkacbln]

Rather than calling them rules, I'd request that those accompanying me and children wear a helmet because I'm promoting safety. The effectiveness of helmets is arguable, however if someone were hitting me with a hammer, I'd rather be wearing one than not.

It would be a waste of time though..........cycle helmets are very poor at point impacts, and with a highly vented helmet it is possible they would have no effect at all

This is one of the reasons that so many helmets are not accepted for wear in Australia, one of the few places that has such a point impact test

 

[Trevor_P]

It would be a waste of time though..........cycle helmets are very poor at point impacts, and with a highly vented helmet it is possible they would have no effect at all

This is one of the reasons that so many helmets are not accepted for wear in Australia, one of the few places that has such a point impact test

With any impact protection, there will be circumstances that the protection has little effect. It would be impossible to predict those circumstances in advance of any individual crash. However imperfect the design or minimal the protection afforded by a helmet, I'll take the chance that it could save me from injury every day of the week. Even if all it does is to stop the skin from being scraped off my skull.

 

[Profpointy]

The Political/Religious is blatantly trolling IMHO.

The OP just said that if his mates wants to ride with him, whilst with his children, then he would expect them to wear a helmet. He never went any further than that. Never chastised anyone for not wearing one. Never forced it on anyone. He doesn't deserve the backlash and the turning of his thread into a Wear A Helmet Or Else thread.
?

Well saying his mates can't cycle with him unless they wear a helmet sounds like forcing to me

 

[Retribution03]

Did you make them wear Thudguards, if not why not?

Sarcasm gets lost on the Internet!

 

[up hill struggle]

Wasn't trying to catch you out over "relative argument" - though it was one of those phrases like "straw man", or "begging the question", or even (my favourite) "whataboutery"

not a problem. Didn't make sense to me either after you pointed it out to me, lol

 

[Fab Foodie]

Sarcasm gets lost on the Internet!

Anyhow. Well done for getting people cycling together, nearly forgot the important bit in all the banter today!

 

[400bhp]

I do find it very sad that a parent would willingly ban their children from the simple enjoyment, pastime and safe activity of cycling if they refuse to use a plastic hat.

It is Ian but I've come to the conclusion that a large proportion of us cyclists have a different mindset than the general population in respect of perceived risk when it comes to children. I think we're probably more "try it and learn for yourself" types than "don't try it until you have done x, y & z first".

 

[ufkacbln]

unfortunately there is & wouldn't matter how good an argument you put forward to show that they may help reduce serious head injury or worse as once people start making comments on thudguards & wearing helmets while in cars the chances of of making any reasonable argument for helmets actually being listened to is next to none.

But surely the Thudguard is reinforcing your ideas, and Extending the use of helmets?

It is a legitimate question and in this case has again shown to be so.

You expect to be able to impose your views on cycle helmets on others, yet get upset when asked if an equally proven and endorsed helmet is suggested and wantto have the freedom of choice.

Now where do you actually stand on my imposition of a helmet that can reduce head injuries on other people's children?

 

[ufkacbln]

Nobody's chastising the OP are they ... really? Offering an alternative view maybe. Sometimes you need to put these things into context.

The data also says that cycling IS SAFE. This is a point that needs repeating over and over again.
http://www.gicentre.net/blog/2013/11/24/risk-cycling-and-denominator-neglect

I want people to know it's safe. But think about whose interested in cycle helmets and their promotion most ... is it the health lobby? the so called 'safety' lobby? The law? No, it's helmet makers, magazine sellers, insurance companies who think they can demand bigger premiums, car drivers who would like to absolve themselves of any responsibility or liability and those who make money by preying on an unsubstantiated fear.
If you really want to prevent head injuries, make helmet wearing in cars compulsory.

Helmet wearing has pretty much ZERO impact on cycling safety.

Actually the helmet manufacturers do very little in promotion, make very few claims about their effectiveness and are very quiet in the field of advertising.

This has been attributed to two factors

1. The manufacturers are well aware that compulsion oor portraying cycling as dangerous adversely affects numbers and cuts their core market
2. That helmets are not as effective as some would claim and that if they made these claims they would be opening themselves to litigation in the first accident that occurred

 

[.stu]

I've spoken to the people who wish to ride with us and told them my views about when the kids are with us and they are in total agreement as they are fathers too.

I'm a father too, but, along with many other parents on here, I don't agree with your views. Rather than promote safety, I am trying to raise my kids to be fearless, so that they will no be scared to live their lives to the full. It's mothers' job to worry and instill fear in them.