Thread started by theroyalacademy at 09.30.12 - 2:36 pm

From yesterday's NYTimes:

"In the United States the notion that bike helmets promote health and safety by preventing head injuries is taken as pretty near God’s truth. Un-helmeted cyclists are regarded as irresponsible, like people who smoke. Cities are aggressive in helmet promotion.

But many European health experts have taken a very different view: Yes, there are studies that show that if you fall off a bicycle at a certain speed and hit your head, a helmet can reduce your risk of serious head injury. But such falls off bikes are rare — exceedingly so in mature urban cycling systems.

On the other hand, many researchers say, if you force or pressure people to wear helmets, you discourage them from riding bicycles. That means more obesity, heart disease and diabetes. And — Catch-22 — a result is fewer ordinary cyclists on the road, which makes it harder to develop a safe bicycling network."

reply

I don't think people are discouraged from riding bc of helmets being promoted.

I think people are discouraged from riding because of all the fucking lunatics and irresponsible drivers on the roads.


I wear a helmet for two reasons.

1. Somtimes I like to go really fast and there is a chance that I can lose control and smash my head into the ground.

2. Shitty drivers.



KiMS1
09.30.12 - 3:14 pm

reply