Comments on: A bit of bakfiets press

By: Andy B from Jersey

Andy B from Jersey — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:08:59 +0000

All right lets get some sanity back into this conversation. Here is my 2cents about helmets.
First, the REAL reason why you need to wear a helmet is not to protect yourself from a self induced accident but to protect your noggin as your body goes flying 100ft though the air after being punted by the car with that butthead driver who was paying more attention to the cellphone call than to driving that 2 ton behemoth. Riding a bike would be perfectly safe if it weren’t for the damn cars on the road.
Second, (yes a car analogy) when people normally drive a car on the streets they don’t wear helmets. However if your racing a car, you are pushing the limits of control and are then required to wear a helmet because the risk of an accident is so much greater. This is common sense approach to helmet use should also apply to cyclists.
Cruising around town casually down to the grocery store: No Helmet.
Hauling “A” on your road bike and flying down hills at over 50mph or bombing down the trail within the limits of control: Wear a Helmet!!!!

By: Andy B from Jersey

Andy B from Jersey — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:07:13 +0000

All right lets get some sanity back into this conversation. Here is my 2cents about helmets.
First, the REAL reason why you need to wear a helmet is not to protect yourself from a self induced accident but to protect your noggin as your body goes flying 100ft though the air after being punted by the car with that butthead driver who was paying more attention to the cellphone call than to driving that 2 ton behemoth. Riding a bike would be perfectly safe if it weren’t for the damn cars on the road.
Second, (yes a car analogy) when people normally drive a car they don’t wear helmets. However if your racing a car, you are pushing th limits of control and are then required to wear a helmet because the risk of an accident is so much greater. This is common sense approach to helmet use should also apply to cyclists.
Cruising around town casually down to the grocery store: No Helmet.
Hauling “A” on your road bike and flying down hills at over 50mph or bombing down the trail within the limits of control: Wear a Helmet!!!! exactly how the rules how I feel helmet use

By: neil

neil — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:41:08 +0000

Yes, sorry. Never sure if he is genuine or troll.

By: Ian Hopper

Ian Hopper — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:24:44 +0000

I vote we don’t respond to Bruce Wilson’s flame-bait helmet trolls anymore. I think this is the third time now…

By: Val

Val — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:51:56 +0000

Let’s not forget all the books, movies, articles, pictures, radio programs, and magazines all over the world that portray extralegal behavior in various forms. Disclaimers in every case? Yikes!

By: neil

neil — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:51:13 +0000

aghh: can see -> can’t see

I can’t see how you can say that â��promotedâ�� breaking the law.

By: neil

neil — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:27:44 +0000

“If it is necessary to portray such behavior there should be some express or strongly implied disclaimer that such behavior is not advocated by the author.”

What!! No way. I’m not in USA, but I don’t believe there is any law against showing children not wearing helmets, so there is nothing illegal about the pictures or video of that article. And I still can see how you can say that video or article “promoted” breaking the law.

By: Mighk

Mighk — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:04:47 +0000

There are plenty of ridiculous laws out there. There are also laws some believe to be downright immoral. But we all have to pick our priorities in life. Sometimes fighting the injust law makes sense; sometimes merely flaunting it is good enough.

What bothers me so much about the helmet crusade is that I see people spending way too much time and energy ensuring that kids wear helmets, but nowhere near enough time teaching them how to properly ride a bicycle. I focus my time on teaching people how to ride. (I’m an LCI.)

Also, the “science” behind helmet laws is at best shaky.

By: Bruce A. Wilson

Bruce A. Wilson — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:30:26 +0000

“any portrayal of anyone engaging in extralegal behavior must be supressed and censored because to portray something is to endorse and encourage it.”

If it is necessary to portray such behavior there should be some express or strongly implied disclaimer that such behavior is not advocated by the author.

By: Val

Val — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:11:07 +0000

Indeed, all laws must be obeyed at all times, and, of course, any portrayal of anyone engaging in extralegal behavior must be supressed and censored because to portray something is to endorse and encourage it. Shame on all of us for watching or reading anything of such a nature (you know you did). I must admit that I frequently contravene the local dress code by wearing a hat that is not officially approved for my chosen activity. Hopefully, no one will ever show a picture of me doing so, or publish any of my remarks (or is it too late? horrors!). I must just be a rebel.