From: donn@brat.wa.com (Donn Pedro)
Newsgroups: seattle.general
Subject: Re: Mandatory Bicycle Helmets.
Date: 14 Dec 92 18:54:53 GMT
Organization: Tandemonium, Kent, WA

In article <1992Dec13.194019.20753@eskimo.com> 
nanook@eskimo.com (Robert Dinse) writes:
:In article <1352@brat.wa.com>, donn@brat.wa.com (Donn Pedro) writes:
:> 
:> It doesn't make that much of a difference.  There have been studies of
:> the core temerature of racing bicyclists while riding with, and without, 
:> helmets.  It was found that core temerature did not increase significantly
:> with the wearing of a helmet, even in humid and how conditions.
:> 
:> It was reported that the riders *felt* hotter because fo the helmet
:> but soom adjusted.  Professional riders are still setting time trial 
:> records, in hot conditions, wearing helmets.
:
:     Well this is still a valid point.  I >feel< hotter, significantly, and it
:is enough to turn a form of excercise I enjoy into one that I don't.  

I know how you feel.  I have been on some serious climbs, in California,
that made me feel very hot.  We had been climbing for about two hours
in eighty degree heat.  I did remove my helmet on the steeper sections
as I had a poorer quality helmet and I did feel very hot.  Nowadays 
the newer designs would probobly make that unnecessary.  I make it clear
that, as soon as it got level and my speed exceeded walking pace, the
helmet went back on.  Just in case anyone is looking for a little 
keyboard exercise.

:One
:question that does come up though, is does this law apply anywhere or just on
:public roads?  

I believe the law could only apply on public roads, and possibly city or 
county property.  I don't know, but that is my guess.  That may include the 
riding trails.

I doubt they could pass a law that would apply to private property.

:I don't ride on roads, I ride on bike trails and other places
:devoid of automobile traffic.  

Accidents happen on bike trails too.  There are a whole lot of different
hazards to deal with.  I have a friend here at work who struck her skull
on the pavement on the Burke Gilman when she inadvertantly ran into a
steel and concrete post.  And she is not a stupid or careless person. 
It was a pretty bad accident and  she is still recovering from all the 
effects.  No car was involved.

:Even if it only applies to roads, I still don't
:like the law.

I don't like it either, but I believe wearing a helmet is just good
sense.  Law or no law.

:> The helmet technology is getting better and many designs do a pretty good
:> job of keeping the head cool.
:
:     Whether 'better' consitutes adequate is a debatable point.

I agree.   It just takes some getting used to.  I'm sure a comment could
be made that a 'serious' cyclist would decide it comes with the territory
along with cars, pollution, potholes, and rollerbladers on bike trails.

The problem with that is it judges the 'seriousness' of your cycling and
sounds eliteist.  Such seriousness is relative, but you do get the point.

:> So, what about the other nine months of the year?
:
:     I don't ride during crappy weather.  

There are plenty of days in the Puget Sound where it is cooler and not rainy.

But I guess the definition of "crappy weather" is realtive too.  I 
must concede that.

:> :     Councilman Sims can go straight to hell as far as I'm concerned.
:> I agree.  I don't support government mandated helmet laws.
:> But that doesn't mean we should rationalize and make excuses for not
:> wearing one.
:
:     Why should I have to make an excuse?  It should be a matter of personal
:choice as far as I'm concerned, there is no need for excuses.  

I guess I should have stated that better.  There are reasons for doing
things and excuses for doing things.  

Which applies to you?  I don't know.  The heat thing, when applied to 
me, would be an excuse because of my experience.

:If I choose to
:accept the risk, for whatever reasons, that is my choice.  

Then just say that you don't like wearing helmets.

The thing I most respond to is a litany of the drawbacks about
helmets (motorcycle and bicycle) that encourage others (in my
opinion) not to use them either.  I believe that riding without
a helmet is pretty close to foolish and should not be encouraged.
I feel that smoking is pretty foolish and should not be encouraged.

I will not persecute you because you choose to smoke or ride helmetless.
I will, however, argue against those who do what I consider irresponsible.

:As I mentioned, I
:do not ride where there is auto traffic, and whilst it is remotely possible
:that I could find a stationairy object to crash into head first, I view it as
:unlikely.

I don't want to sound too pessimistic, but I hope you are lucky, because
human beings are fallable and make errors in judgement, tires go flat
at the most inopportune times, and squirrels, rollerbladers, and kids  are
damn near unpredictible.

Good luck and good riding.  Maybe we will go for a spin someday?




         Donn Pedro ....................a.k.a. donn@brat.wa.com
	
	       "You talk the talk.  Do you walk the walk?"

		    There are no ordinary moments.
Newsgroups: seattle.general