Wiggins wants compulsory helmets
Discussion
Silver993tt said:
I heard him being interviewed on the subject and he definitely recommends at the very least wearing a helmut. Makes complete sense, they weigh nearly nothing and yet can save the most important part of your body. No brainer.
There's a difference between recommending wearing one - which he does - and calling for them to be mandatory, which he isn't.I suspect someone may have advised him to clarify his position, and what's the harm in that?
holy cow, a balanced and not-at-all-reactionary-bulls
t in the Mail. Someone must have perfect the porcine helicopter then.
(edit: I'm not being sarcastic btw)
t in the Mail. Someone must have perfect the porcine helicopter then.(edit: I'm not being sarcastic btw)
Edited by paranoid airbag on Thursday 2nd August 18:45
paranoid airbag said:
holy cow, a balanced and not-at-all-reactionary-bulls
t in the Mail. Someone must have perfect the porcine helicopter then.
(edit: I'm not being sarcastic btw)
There's a surprising amount of sense in that article. It's just as well I was sitting down.
t in the Mail. Someone must have perfect the porcine helicopter then.(edit: I'm not being sarcastic btw)
Edited by paranoid airbag on Thursday 2nd August 18:45
I wish people would make a distinction between 'jumping' and 'running' red lights though. I stop, always, and go on orange if it's clear. The people who just blaze through regardless p!ss me right off.
scrwright said:
Why are people so against wearing a lid? Seriously, what is the downside apart from looking like knob?
I guess because it is another case of someone telling you what is or isn't good for you which is often taken as 'nannying' or simple interference.I own a bike which I use very occationally when the weather is nice. I don't own a helmet though.
Following the euphoria of him winning a gold medal to hear that sadly a cyclist was killed by an Olympic bus that same evening leads to some emotional comments. I doubt anyone would dispute wearing a helmet (and not wearing headphones/iPods etc.) makes a great deal of sense but I guess it's all down to having less regulations and using more common sense.
Edited by RichB on Thursday 2nd August 19:01
I'm vaguely reminded of this;
http://xkcd.com/799/
Bit unfair to ask him to come up with a perfectly thought-out and unambiguously phrased opinion on the spur of the moment.
http://xkcd.com/799/
Bit unfair to ask him to come up with a perfectly thought-out and unambiguously phrased opinion on the spur of the moment.
He appeared to get caught off-guard by the question when he was asked and got a bit tongue-tied when giving his answer. He actually said something like 'the wearing of helmets should be legalised'. Which I guess was him saying they should be made compulsory.
I don't understand the agenda or reasoning behind not making them compulsory.
I don't understand the agenda or reasoning behind not making them compulsory.
I'm sure I read somewhere that there is a difference of opinion in expert circles regarding the gains that would actually be made if helmets were compulsory.
The argument agains went along the lines of:
Helmets may save your head if you have an accident, BUT making them compulsory makes cycling appear more dangerous SO less people will cycle which will mean that less people will enjoy the health benefits of cycling SO more people will die if helmets are compulsory, they just won't die in road accidents.
The above may or may not be cobblers / totally made up.
The argument agains went along the lines of:
Helmets may save your head if you have an accident, BUT making them compulsory makes cycling appear more dangerous SO less people will cycle which will mean that less people will enjoy the health benefits of cycling SO more people will die if helmets are compulsory, they just won't die in road accidents.
The above may or may not be cobblers / totally made up.

I'm sure if he was a strong believer in legislation he wouldn't pose for pictures like this with his son.
Compulsory helmets will always be one of those subjects that polarises opinion, but ultimately is un-enforcable. how would you police the kids riding up and down their streets or those in the park, the little old dear who rides past out house every day to the shops down the road etc etc.
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