🚀 go-pugleaf

ab833@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Avery Burdett) wrote:

>You are right it's about Big Brother. But helmet zealots don't separate the
>two. Big Brother gets heavily lobbied by people making outrageous claims
>about the efficacy of helmets. For example, Dr. Robert Cushman, a prominent
>local helmet zealot, claimed on TV that mandatory helmet legislation would
>prevent 75% of cycling fatalities (on the basis that 75% of cyclist
>fatalities result from head injuries). So he meant all of those who die from
>a bang to the head. He made this claim even though cyclists are dying with
>helmets on their heads, just like in OZ. Cycling fatalities are rare in
>Ottawa, but four of the last six cyclists killed here in the past 3 years were
>wearing helmets. 

This thread is seriously leading towards alt.politics and away from
rec.cycling.  Either way, it should be heard.  I don't mind people
telling me that I should be wearing a helmet.  I don't even mind
people telling me (whether true or not) that it will save my life.
What I do mind is people I don't know telling me that I *have* to wear
a helmet, or pay a $90 fine.  First, it makes no sense.  Second, if
they were really concerned about my health, they would just force me
to buy a helmet with the $90 instead of keeping it and paving more
roads over.

>>You call it paranoic; others call it the "better safe than sorry"
>>philosophy. 

>Only the four in Ottawa weren't safe, but may have been led to believe they
>were. 

>Hey, but if you want to try and protect yourself against every
>conceivable accident or mishap, you won't get any objection here. 

I have a comfortable helmet and see no reason why I should not wear
it.  Also, my nephews have a nasty habit of doing exactly what I do,
and if there is any truth to the side of helmets saving your live when
you're going 11kph (like they do), *my* wearing a helmet may just save
*their* lives.  And comments like the above about protecting myself
"against every conceivable accident or mishap" really don't add to the
conversation.  I have my reasons for wearing a helmet.  I don't preach
or insult, even backhandedly.




Steve Peringer