Cyclists !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Given that I was in intensive care with two fractures to my skull just over a year ago, having been hit by a half blind 89 year old who was driving illegally, and now have a brain injury that prevents me working, I more than most understand the risks of cycling. 

But it's not usually the cyclists, it's the bloody stupid drivers. Just this morning I saw a car overtake two cyclists, approaching a blind bend, and then having to pull in when a car came from the other direction, cutting up the cyclist. All they had to do was wait a few seconds. It's not hard. 

Once we make helmets compulsory we may as well make pedestrians wear rubber suits in case the get knocked over crossing the road. It's time for drivers to slow down, open their eyes, use their brains and be careful and sensible, rather than treating other road users like scum and expecting them to get out of the way.

Hungryhalibut posted:

 

But it's not usually the cyclists, it's the bloody stupid drivers. 

That's a problem that will never be solved, hence the need to make helmets compulsory 

wenger2015 posted:

Just recently a friends daughter, ended up in intensive care after coming off a non moving  skateboard, slipped and head hit the curb...

Helmets should be compulsory 

That is patently ridiculous, as taking into account this skateboard incident it very clearly means at all times, at least other than when in a (the?) padded cell...  

Innocent Bystander posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Just recently a friends daughter, ended up in intensive care after coming off a non moving  skateboard, slipped and head hit the curb...

Helmets should be compulsory 

That is patently ridiculous, as taking into account this skateboard incident it very clearly means at all times, at least other than when in a (the?) padded cell...  

Helmets compulsory, you know it makes sense... 

wenger2015 posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Just recently a friends daughter, ended up in intensive care after coming off a non moving  skateboard, slipped and head hit the curb...

Helmets should be compulsory 

That is patently ridiculous, as taking into account this skateboard incident it very clearly means at all times, at least other than when in a (the?) padded cell...  

Helmets compulsory, you know it makes sense... 

Please advise: you put yours on on a) when you leave the house, b) when you get out of bed, c) keep it on 24/7? 

Innocent Bystander posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Just recently a friends daughter, ended up in intensive care after coming off a non moving  skateboard, slipped and head hit the curb...

Helmets should be compulsory 

That is patently ridiculous, as taking into account this skateboard incident it very clearly means at all times, at least other than when in a (the?) padded cell...  

Helmets compulsory, you know it makes sense... 

Please advise: you put yours on on a) when you leave the house, b) when you get out of bed, c) keep it on 24/7? 

I'm not a cyclist, it's not something I would ever want to do.

But if for some unfortunate reason I had to ride a bike on the road, I would wear a helmet. 

I am not risk adverse,  I run a company that requires, taking controlled risks from time to time.....part of the controlled risk is,  compliance with health and safety regulations, I would never not comply and put myself in any more danger than necessary.

But as with everything... you pay your money and take your choice... 

wenger2015 posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Just recently a friends daughter, ended up in intensive care after coming off a non moving  skateboard, slipped and head hit the curb...

Helmets should be compulsory 

That is patently ridiculous, as taking into account this skateboard incident it very clearly means at all times, at least other than when in a (the?) padded cell...  

Helmets compulsory, you know it makes sense... 

Please advise: you put yours on on a) when you leave the house, b) when you get out of bed, c) keep it on 24/7? 

I'm not a cyclist, it's not something I would ever want to do.

But if for some unfortunate reason I had to ride a bike on the road, I would wear a helmet. 

I am not risk adverse,  I run a company that requires, taking controlled risks from time to time.....part of the controlled risk is,  compliance with health and safety regulations, I would never not comply and put myself in any more danger than necessary.

But as with everything... you pay your money and take your choice... 

But the unfortunate girl who fell off a stationary skateboard wasn't on a bike, and it was that to which you said helmets should be compulsory....

I climb - and wear a helmet if a cliff outdoors. I ski, and wear a helmet. I occasionally ride a motorbike, and wear a helmet, and I cycle, and wear a helmet. listen to music, watch films, drive, walk on hills, including cliffs, kayak, sail, all without wearing a helmet. I do my own assessment of risk, and act accordingly - I need no compulsion to force me.

iB, I think helmets should be compulsory for cyclists , .....any activity that means using a road

What about pedestrians?

Innocent Bystander posted:

What about pedestrians?

Only if they were walking down the middle of a main road.....

wenger2015 posted:

iB, I think helmets should be compulsory for cyclists , .....any activity that means using a road

Hmm, where I live there no pavements, and you walk on the road, the middle of the road, or should I say lane... I don't think to walk we need helmets... sure helmets are recommended but ultimately it's a choice and perhaps proportionate to the risk...

wenger2015 posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

What about pedestrians?

Only if they were walking down the middle of a main road.....

People walk on the road where there are no pavements, and cross the road, both on crossings and elsewhere (thankfully Britain doesn't have the ridiculous controlling jay-walking laws of the US)

Innocent Bystander posted:

What about pedestrians?

Or dogs. Give them helmets too. And why not hedgehogs while we are at it. You can't be too careful. Then there's foxes, badgers, horses. And cats if they dare to cross. Ooh, and snails. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

What about pedestrians?

Or dogs. Give them helmets too. And why not hedgehogs while we are at it. You can't be too careful. Then there's foxes, badgers, horses. And cats if they dare to cross. Ooh, and snails. 

Am I correct with the assumption that as cyclists you do not wish to wear a helmet?

I wish to have a choice. And for drivers to drive carefully, with respect for others. It's surely not too much to ask.

I was driving back from the shops earlier and there were three lads cycling in front of me, all over the road. They were very vulnerable, but they were having fun. So I pootled along at 20 behind them, and went past when it was safe. If all drivers drove like that the cyclists would be fine and the drivers might be happier. It seems that some drivers feel that their dick shrinks every time they slow down and that they have something to prove.  All they prove is that they are morons. 

wenger2015 posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

What about pedestrians?

Or dogs. Give them helmets too. And why not hedgehogs while we are at it. You can't be too careful. Then there's foxes, badgers, horses. And cats if they dare to cross. Ooh, and snails. 

Am I correct with the assumption that as cyclists you do not wish to wear a helmet?

As noted above, I do choose to wear one. But I don't wish to be criminalised if I choose not to for whatever reason, and other people are at risk of head injury, not just cyclists. If the unfortunate pedestrian whose death following collision with a cyclist discussed earlier in this thread had been wearing a helmet there is a good chance she would not have died, and the cyclist would not have been successfully prosecured for "furious driving " (at 18mph or less!), regardless of fault.

And how does a cyclist wearing a helmet protect a skateboarder - moving or not?

Innocent Bystander posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

What about pedestrians?

Or dogs. Give them helmets too. And why not hedgehogs while we are at it. You can't be too careful. Then there's foxes, badgers, horses. And cats if they dare to cross. Ooh, and snails. 

Am I correct with the assumption that as cyclists you do not wish to wear a helmet?

As noted above, I do choose to wear one. But I don't wish to be criminalised if I choose not to for whatever reason, and other people are at risk of head injury, not just cyclists. If the unfortunate pedestrian whose death following collision with a cyclist discussed earlier in this thread had been wearing a helmet there is a good chance she would not have died, and the cyclist would not have been successfully prosecured for "furious driving " (at 18mph or less!), regardless of fault.

And how does a cyclist wearing a helmet protect a skateboarder - moving or not?

There was also a good chance the cyclist might have avoided her if he had not removed the front brake from his bicycle.

If drivers with small dicks, drive to fast, which may well be the case, very interested to see how that can be proven!!!

But anyway, enough reason to wear a helmet ?

Pcd posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

What about pedestrians?

Or dogs. Give them helmets too. And why not hedgehogs while we are at it. You can't be too careful. Then there's foxes, badgers, horses. And cats if they dare to cross. Ooh, and snails. 

Am I correct with the assumption that as cyclists you do not wish to wear a helmet?

As noted above, I do choose to wear one. But I don't wish to be criminalised if I choose not to for whatever reason, and other people are at risk of head injury, not just cyclists. If the unfortunate pedestrian whose death following collision with a cyclist discussed earlier in this thread had been wearing a helmet there is a good chance she would not have died, and the cyclist would not have been successfully prosecured for "furious driving " (at 18mph or less!), regardless of fault.

And how does a cyclist wearing a helmet protect a skateboarder - moving or not?

There was also a good chance the cyclist might have avoided her if he had not removed the front brake from his bicycle.

I have no argument with that (other than the technicality that I don't think the bike ever had a front brake to remove) - it was an unsuitable bike for the road, and, regardless of legality, to ride it on the road he should have been extra cautious. I'm unclear as to whether the cupyclistbwas wearing a helmet or not - if he was, that may have lulled him into,a sense of invincibility regarding himself, which is not advantageous to the errant pedestrian stepping into the road.

IB

Are you suggesting , if a cyclist wears a helmet he then feels invincible?

wenger2015 posted:

IB

Are you suggesting , if a cyclist wears a helmet he then feels invincible?

Not necessarily, but it is possible that it could alter behaviour of some people.

Am I correct in concluding that cyclists feel if they wear a helmet the motorist treats them differently?

wenger2015 posted:

Am I correct in concluding that cyclists feel if they wear a helmet the motorist treats them differently?

I can only answer for myself: I have no reason to think that, but at the same time I have no reason to think it is not the case. As A driver, I don't actualky notice whether a cyclist is wearing a helmet, as I am too busy working out the best way to pass safely.

This business of cycle helmets or no cycle helmets seems somewhat similar to seat belts or no seat belts IMHO.

Motorists might drive more carefully if it was illegal to wear a seatbelt. Or should it be a matter of freedom of choice ?

I doubt if motorists in general behave differently when in the vicinity of cyclists with helmets as opposed to those not wearing helmets. Nor do I believe that cyclists in general behave with less care for safety when wearing a helmet.

All I was saying is that in my case, which was a low speed, side blow impact, a helmet would most likely have protected me. I am not suggesting that a helmet would necessarily prevent serious injury in a high speed crash, but because of the situations where it would help then it makes sense to wear one.

I believe it should be made compulsory to wear cycle helmets on British roads. You are not allowed to enter a race or sportive without a helmet and that applies to closed road events too where there is no threat from motorists. Why then on open roads should it not be compulsory?