Stupid Cyclist

You should have said something to him.

When I was in Tampa in Nov. with Jess and Renee, we saw several cyclists without helmets. So stupid. Then we saw a motorcycle wreck, the guy was wearing a helmet. No doubt saved his life. *shiver*

Wow- that's really stupid.  I would have been tempted to yell at him for not wearing a helmet.

I saw a couple riding cruisers bikes along the shoulder of a busy road this past weekend.  Both not wearing helmets.  They weren't riding very fast but still- they can still fall or get hit by a car!

sign.... I see too many MOTORCYCLIST, stopped and took off their helmet once the cross the MA/NH line. 

State motto of NH:  Live Free or Die. 

The parents may be proctecting their children physically by making them wear a helmet, but what happens if the parent crashes and is killed or ends up a vegetable for the rest of their life?  How is that protecting your child and you think they won't be affected by it?  Why do adults think they are immune to accidents but children aren't?  Dumb...

ChuckyFinster - 2006-03-09 10:57 AM It happens. I ride on my lunch break several times a week and I've forgotten to pack my helmet a few times in my two years in then sport. It feels awkward to ride without one, but I don't want to miss the workout

There have been a few times when I am rushing out of the house or very tired for an early ride that I will get ten miles down the road and realize I forgot to grab my helmet.  This isn't any better, but at least where I ride I only see 3 or 4 cars and hour. 

Oh my gosh- that just made the hair on my neck (what little I have!) stand up!  That's aweful a motorcyclist would say that.

Oh my gosh- that just made the hair on my neck (what little I have!) stand up!  That's aweful a motorcyclist would say that.

Depends on the severity of the crash, really. Anti-helmet folks have a point there when they're talking about huge, dramatic accidents, but in more pedestrian accidents helmets can save lives.

I've read (can't verify or provide a source) that many more head injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet in an automobile than could possibly occur from cyclists. So how many of you preaching the gospel of mandatory helmets for cyclists also wear helmets while driving?

Edit: OK found a source, that says helmet laws REDUCE frequency of cycling and tha motor vehicle use of helmets would save 17 times as many lives:

"The benefits of cycling, even without a helmet, have been estimated to outweigh the hazards by a factor of 20 to 1 (Hillman 1993; Cycle helmets-the case for and against. Policy Studies Institute, London). Consequently, a helmet law, whose most notable effect was to reduce cycling, may have generated a net loss of health benefits to the nation. Despite the risk of dying from head injury per hour being similar for unhelmeted cyclists and motor vehicle occupants, cyclists alone have been required to wear head protection. Helmets for motor vehicle occupants are now being marketed and a mandatory helmet law for these road users has the potential to save 17 times as many people from death by head injury as a helmet law for cyclists without the adverse effects of discouraging a healthy and pollution free mode of transport." (HEAD INJURIES AND BICYCLE HELMET LAWS Accident Analysis & Prevention, by Robinson DL. 28(4):463-475, 1996 Jul. Abstract Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd. [References: 59])

That said, having trashed three helmets, I would not be caught dead (punny boy!) on my bike without a helmet. But that's my choice, I certainly wouldn't call a cyclist stupid because he chose otherwise.

I've fallen dozens of times. Just not that many on my head. Despite what the general consensus here is.

Well, I've had people say I am stupid for running/riding/racing so much. Doesn't make it so, but they, you and I are all entitled to an opinion.

the bear - 2006-03-09 2:25 PM

I've read (can't verify or provide a source) that many more head injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet in an automobile ... .

That's a good idea ... I bang my head in frustration against the steering wheel constantly due to the total ineptidude of those driving around me.