Bradley Wiggins and Safety Helmets

[Khandro]

Is Bradley Wiggins, of whom I am a great admirer (who wouldn't be!), right to call for the compulsory wearing of safety helmets for all cyclists, after the tragic death of a London cyclist?
http://news.sky.com/s...ng-hit-by-olympic-bus

[dotty.]

well he lives 2 miles from me and it's all high hedged country roads and people in beemers blasting out celine fekkin dion so you need a helmet

[RATTER15]

I dont think it should be compulsory, people should have a choice , OK, maybe compulsory for children.

[paddywak]

Back in the 70's I can remberer all the arguments fore and against the compulsory wearing car seat belts and eventually in '83 it became law for persons in the front seatsof a car to "Belt Up." The same occurred with motor cyclists and crash helmets. The thing is both saved lives and now it is automatic for the majority of riders and drivers to put on their helmets or belt up. The things work so why not use them? I'd rather have a copper call and give me a bollicking because my kid wasn't wearing a helmet them call and tell me he was dead because he wouldn't wear one.

[Khandro]

I agree Ratter, when it was passed into law in Australia there became a huge drop in cycling, not so much in the 'serious' cyclists, as among the casual, sort of, 'just pop down to the shop' types, the very ones who perhaps need to be encouraged to cycle more for their health and the environment. I think it wiser to broadcast the safety aspect and allow people to decide. I haven't yet seen the details of this tragedy, so I don't know if a helmet would have made any difference.

[Mick-Talbot]

Will the wearing of helmets improve the motorists driving?

[Mick-Talbot]

I would turn the almost empty bus lanes over to cyclists and put the buses back with the traffic.

[Khandro]

Mick; good idea, and exactly what is done in many parts of the world.

[divegirl]

No it shouldn't be compulsory... it's called natural selection! Those with out the brain sense to wear one deserve the injury they receive! Simples!

Lisa x

[Mick-Talbot]

Do you think you deserve being called an idiot, divegirl?

[JonnyBoy12]

I could not agree with you more. Could you not write to your M.P. or start a petition online?

You can write to your M.P. at:

www.writetothem.com

[divegirl]

For what reason Mick? ......oh and I have been called worse.....

[237SJ]

I think the helmets should be down to individual choice but I wish he would call for the compulsory fitting and use of lights on bikes.

[Mick-Talbot]

Those with out the brain sense to wear one deserve the injury they receive! Simples!



So a car runs into a cyclists knocks him off his bike, his injury is a broken leg..... he deserves a broken leg because he isn't wearing an helmet ...

Tell how that works ?

[divegirl]

I never mentioned leg injuries....you brought that in.

All I am saying is if there is a way to avoid injury then it should be used. My kids have never been allowed to ride bikes with out helmets as a safety precaution, I don't cycle myself but used to horse ride....always wore a helmet!
I called no one an idiot, nor did I change the goal posts!
Like I said though....if there is a way of keeping safe, why would you not use it?

Lisa x

[mightyWBA]

I cycle everyday and have never worn a helmet.Never trust anybody driving a vehicle is my motto,I nearly die at least twice a day but have learned to anticipate the fact motorists don't see me or just pull out,turn in front of you etc.
Should be personal choice.
Let's face it if a bus hits you you're going to die,A crappy little thing on your head isn't going to stop a 10 ton chunk of metal causing damage.
Just keeps your head in one piece for identification.

[Mick-Talbot]

divegirl

I never mentioned leg injuries....you brought that in.

All I am saying is


I read what you said.

it's called natural selection! Those with out the brain sense to wear one deserve the injury they receive! Simples!


Did you read it after you typed it?

[divegirl]

Yes I did and all I am saying is if there is a way to avoid injury then it should be used?

Rather a broken leg than a broken head! Or shall we just keep blaming other road users?

[divegirl]

Accidents happen all of the time.... some, unfortunately worse than others. Car drivers [and no. I'm not one of those either] are taught,tested, taxed and insured! Is it asking that much for a cyclist to wear a helmet?

[divegirl]

Or is it just that they think they don't look cool?

[dickythecook]

I've been knocked off my bike a couple of times. Both times ending up badly bruised and scatched, (Hawthorne hedges will do that to you) I wasn't wearing a helmet so I count myself fortunate. A helmet would not have made the drivers of the vehicles involved give me a little more room when passing me. I think that some drivers try to get as close as possible to the non-road tax paying hindrance in front of them to, as someone of my acquaintance put it, "to put the wind up them". I didn't laugh and neither did he when I said that any driver who did that should be charged with attempted murder at the very least. I recognised the car and driver of the second murder attempt and told him what he had done and he swore that he had not seen me. He was a member of the local golf club where I was Chef at the time. [ dtc waits for the inevitable inferences to be drawn ] Good enough he paid for the repair of my bike plus a £100 for new clothing and the day I had off work. Only a small %age of drivers do this sort of thing one is one too many,