Not Wearing Bicycle Helmet Leads to 3 days in Jail

[bigdude]

Not wearing bike helmet leads to three days in jail

There just has to be more to this story than what the article states or have we really gone off the deep end?

I mean I know that health care expenses are skyrocketing but this is getting a wee bit absurd don't you think?

[Shakeyhands]

You think? I think it might be a good idea! It would certainly reduce the number of head injuries that we are all forced to pay because someone doesn't think its cool to wear a helmet. Just a thought.

[August1991]

Despite the considerable effort that has been put into research about cycle helmets, there is no real-world evidence that helmets have ever resulted in a net saving of even a single life. Potentially, a much greater number of pedestrian and motor vehicle occupant lives could be saved if these groups wore helmets.

From here

The quote above comes from here:

Helmets do, however, seem to be impermeable to facts, which might otherwise have sunk into the skulls of their proponents. For example: it is a curious fact that the countries with the highest proportion of cyclists have the lowest proportion of helmet usage -- and the lowest cyclist death rates. In the Netherlands, for example, where a quarter of all trips are by bike, fewer than one cyclist in a thousand wears a helmet. The number of fatal accidents there is less than 20 per billion cyclist-kilometres. In the United States, meanwhile, where helmet use is closer to 40%, the death toll is five times as high.

Andrew Coyne

Written in Coyne's ineffable style.

[Guest eureka]

Years ago, studies were done in Britain about seat belt use. The finding was that the wearing of seat belts increased the number of accidents.

Seat belts in themselves were efficacious for their purpose but they induced a false sense of security that led to more risk taking.

Something like that may be present with the use of helmets.

[bigdude]

Despite the considerable effort that has been put into research about cycle helmets, there is no real-world evidence that helmets have ever resulted in a net saving of even a single life. Potentially, a much greater number of pedestrian and motor vehicle occupant lives could be saved if these groups wore helmets.

From here

The quote above comes from here:

Helmets do, however, seem to be impermeable to facts, which might otherwise have sunk into the skulls of their proponents. For example: it is a curious fact that the countries with the highest proportion of cyclists have the lowest proportion of helmet usage -- and the lowest cyclist death rates. In the Netherlands, for example, where a quarter of all trips are by bike, fewer than one cyclist in a thousand wears a helmet. The number of fatal accidents there is less than 20 per billion cyclist-kilometres. In the United States, meanwhile, where helmet use is closer to 40%, the death toll is five times as high.

Andrew Coyne

Written in Coyne's ineffable style.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This copied post is ridiculous.

Of course helmuts are a good thing and reduce head injuries, just like hard hats do on construction sites.

It is the throwing of someone in jail because they are not wearing one which is the issue.

[The Terrible Sweal]

Written in Coyne's ineffable style.

"20th Century Assinine" I believe it's called.

[Argus]

This copied post is ridiculous.

Why?

Of course helmuts are a good thing and reduce head injuries,

You have some evidence to support this opinion?

just like hard hats do on construction sites.

In most cases, also a stupid rule with no logical basis.

[Argus]

Written in Coyne's ineffable style.

"20th Century Assinine" I believe it's called.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have some evidence Coyne is wrong? Produce it.

[bigdude]

Coyne as usual is off topic.