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Author Topic: Why we shouldn't bike with a helmet  (Read 2178 times)

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Offline PG

Why we shouldn't bike with a helmet
« on: February 06, 2018, 08:46:18 PM »


Fear is a very powerful tool.  Where helmets are promoted, bicycle riding declines.  The automobile industry promotes people using bicycle helmets.  They know it leads to decline in riding bicycles.  The burden of danger is laid on the bicyclist, when it should be on the automobile user.  It is an interesting tedx talk.  

Bicycle is my main transportation method.  And, when I do not wear a helmet, cars and people treat me so well.  I am thinking of going on a long ride with no helmet to see how my energy levels react.  I really like riding without a helmet, but I usually only do it around town on rides less than 5 miles.    

Re: Why we shouldn't bike with a helmet
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2018, 10:21:03 PM »
Why we shouldn't bike with a helmet...

Because we're idiots?

"The burden of danger is laid on the bicyclist, when it should be on the automobile user." Are you serious?  You really have that much faith in the ability of complete strangers controlling something that could kill you?  I have news for you: In an accident between auto and cyclist, the cyclist will lose every time.

You do not have only cars to worry about, either.  What about Animals?  Something slick?  Other cyclists?  Your own mistakes?

Why would you not wear a helmet?  Because you think you look goofy?  You will look goofier without a head...

You say when you don't wear a helmet people treat you well.  Well, yeah...  they think you are either mentally challenged or mentally deranged.


Offline PG

Re: Why we shouldn't bike with a helmet
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2018, 11:26:20 PM »
Fanny -  You are a pooper.  Nobody likes a pooper.  And, I don't think you watched the video.  In which case you would not get the reason I made that statement.  What I typed(that included) was simply a brief overview of some of the interesting points of the talk.  It was not necessarily my endorsement.  And, the talk was not only three sentences long, obviously.   

Re: Why we shouldn't bike with a helmet
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2018, 02:57:26 PM »
Seems foolhardy not to wear a helmet. The arguments in the video remind me of how liberals get up in arms when women are told to dress more modestly to protect themselves. They call it victim blaming, but in reality just because something is not your fault doesn't mean it is not wise to take measures to protect yourself.

Likewise, a car hitting you on your bike is not necessarily your fault. But if you wear a helmet you'll fare far better than if you didn't. And of course it's possible to get in bike accidents which are your fault, or are no one's fault in case of a wet patch on the road, etc. And in each and every case the helmet will protect you. So the idea that you shouldn't protect yourself just because not every bike accident is the cyclist's fault is just ridiculous. 

If you want to put yourself at risk for the sake of comfort and aesthetics, suit yourself. But do not present it as a good or safe thing to do. 

Re: Why we shouldn't bike with a helmet
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2018, 06:17:32 PM »
We just celebrated our father's 89th birthday.  If he had not been wearing a helmet, on March 3, we'd be having a Mass for the 35th anniversary of his death.  If you bike, wear a helmet.