From: kimmel@epx.cis.umn.edu (Eric Kimmel)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,ont.general,can.general
Subject: Re: Ontario government releases revised bicycle policy
Date: 29 Jul 92 18:00:05 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Minnesota

In article <Bs44wC.D4E@math.uwaterloo.ca> arpepper@math.uwaterloo.ca (Adrian Pepper) writes:
>In article <1992Jul24.164249.8929@zooid.guild.org> gaea@zooid.guild.org (Mother Nature) writes:
>[...]
>>
>>I think bicycle helmets are a great idea, and I think that all "serious"
>>bicyclists (defined as bicyclists who do a lot of road riding, racing, or who
>>go very fast) should wear one. But I would hate to see them mandatory, it
>>would really put a damper on just taking my bike down to the store, or going
>>for a leisurely evening ride.  
>
>People seem to be ignoring the fact that mandatory helmet laws might
>result in a lot of bicycles remaining in garages.  That is, if the
>speaker above were in fact an infrequent cyclist who did not own a
>helmet at all, they might keep leaving their bicycle in the garage
>since they never got around to spending about fifty dollars on a
>helmet.--A cost which may seem more than would be reasonable for them
>to spend on a bicycle, let alone an accessory.  (Assume they have a
>[etc.]

I know for a fact my parents would stop riding.  They have a pair of
matching (choke!) 3-speed Schwinns that are about 15 years old and have
absolutely no interest in buying a helmet.  I remember asking for one
as a birthday gift and they just about passed out when I told them a
helmet was going to cost $50.  Their bikes are probably worth less than
the price of a helmet.

Additionally, I make trips to the local convinence store (which is less
than a mile away) and would really dislike having to wear a helmet for
such a short trip.  There are virtually no cars on the route there.  I
should be able just to hop on my ATB and cruise up and back.

>I do not know what the solution is.  Should proof of helmet ownership
>be required when purchasing a bicycle?!  I truly believe that any fines
>:
>car).  But eventually, the police are only going to enforce a traffic
>law which allows them to collect revenue.
>
No.  The police are already busy enough without having to enforce a helmet
law.  I think the mandatory helmet law would go the way of speeding and
not coming to a complete stop at stop signs -- they're pretty much ignored
unless the driver is being reckless.

> [etc..]
>
>Of course, helmet fines could always be collected at the hospital...

I suppose you could try to collect fines from non-helmet riders riding
over 10 MPH on streets which average more than 30 cars an hour.  Or you
could collect from all riders not wearing a helmet at any time.  Or you
could just leave it up for common sense.

The first case is difficult to enforce, as would any shade of gray.  The
second is unrealistic:  it would just make the police busier than they
already are and would actually discourage people like my parents from
riding.

The third case is the winner.  My parents probably don't need
a helmet riding at 5 MPH on a park bike route.  I do need a helmet while
I bike 20 MPH on fairly busy streets, but not when I cruise down to the
store 1/2 mile away on non-busy streets.  Sure, there will be accidents,
but as this problem gets more attention more people will be willing to
wear a helmet.

Mandatory helmet laws are bad.  Better education about the dangers of not
wearing a helmet is the better answer.
>
>I have worn a bicycle helmet for over twelve years, but am not
>convinced that laws making them mandatory are a good idea.  But I do
>find it distressing that young people are dissuaded from wearing
>helmets by some sort of "image-conscious" thing.  But then "image"
>often has little relation to "law-abiding", anyway.  Maybe what we need
>is a campaign aimed at eight-year-olds telling them how stupid bicycle
>helmets are...8-)

Frankly, I love my Giro Hammerhead SC.  It LOOKS cool.  I think the newer
helmets make image less of an issue.  Then again, I saw some guy wiearing
a pig cover on my last century.  Yeah, it turned his helmet into a PIG!
Good thing it was at a rest station or I would have fell off my bike!
>
>Adrian.

-Rick