Mandatory Helmet Law

[fixedgeargirl]

Sorry if this is long, but I thought it important to include pertinent facts. Even so, I haven't quoted exact statistics.

Today the Austin City Council is scheduled to hear public comment on a recently introduced ordindance requiring all cyclists to wear a helmet. The main proponent is Bruce Todd, former mayor, who last spring was involved in a road bike crash of unknown cause, though it has been surmised that a stick caught in his spokes and caused him to go over the bars. He spent several days in a medically induced coma, and was in PT for a while. His doctors have said that his helmet saved his life. It is significant to note that during his tenure as mayor (1996, I believe) a similar ordidnance was passed. That ordinance was later reworded to include only cyclists age 17 or younger.

Interestingly, one of the groups that most strongly opposes the ordinance is the club which sponsored the ride Mr. Todd was on when he was injured. Opponents have stacks of statistics reflecting the relative mortality rates of different modes of transportation, which show that cycling is safer than driving or walking. They have statistics about injury rates that show similar results. They have statistics showing that head injuries represent a small percentage of bike-crash related injuries. They have statistics from other municiplities which show that when mandatory helmet laws are put in place and enforced, that ridership decreases dramatically. They have statistics that show that the existing helmet law has been rarely and sporadically enforced, primarily against minorities in economically challenged areas of the city. They argue that resources would be better used if focused on increasing cycling safety, including rider education, driver education and development of safe cycling routes. The sound bite argument is "Helmets don't prevent bike crashes."

So, I'm sticking this out there for debate. What do you think of everyone being required to wear a helmet all the time?

[Geonz]

Reckon I'll answer before the flames start.

In general, I think that we're legislating ourselves into stupidity. When I think of individuals and the cost of riding helmetless, I'll start leaning into "MAKE 'EM DO IT!" ... then I remember our bike club member who basically doesn't want to wear a helmet *because* it used to be a law where she was and she values her freedom. So, oddly, if it weren't required, she'd probably wear one. Then I think, "oh, really? she's prob'ly not gonna do it, *period.*

I think efforts would be better spent on education, not legislation. Getting "the lecture" from us is, I think, more effective than a law. Seeing all of us donned in helmets on the club ride... knowing "that's what the real cyclists do" ... let the cops chase down the folks *attacking* cyclists, and let the MOMS chase down the helmetless souls.

That ain't gonna fly in politics land... because it's too complicated.

[mimitabby]

I don't buy that line that people will ride less if helmets are required.
in my county helmets are required and in the last year bike ridership has
just grown like crazy!

Besides, those that "value their freedom" are still riding around without helmets. Police haven't time to enforce that particular law.

[Bikingmomof3]

I personally do not think a law will make a difference. When my boys started biking, I do not even know if there was or was not a law in place in the state we lived in. I bought helmets because I wanted their precious heads covered. When I began biking (not too long ago) I bought a helmet because I am rather fond of my head. Not once did I take into account whether or not it was a law, rather I am very fond of living and want to protect myself and my family. I see far too many people out riding without helmets and most of them kids. If their parents are not enforcing it, who is going to? I would *love* to see everyone wearing a helmet, for safety, yet I do not see that happening. I had a neighbour who commented that I looked as though I was trying to be a "racer" with my fancy helmet. I polietly informed her it was to protect my head. I have heard kids say it is "uncool" to wear helmets and women say it messes up their hair. I doubt a law will change those things. Education would be nice. I would like to see all bikers follow the laws when riding on the roads. It would make life much easier for all of us. Around here anyway, precious few bikers actually follow the rules of the road.

[mimitabby]

well Biker mom
that's just it; here in Seattle you will see that children are the ones who will usually be wearing their helmets; partially because moms care about their kids but also because it's the law.
The persons less apt to be wearing helmets are adult men and teenaged boys.
I agree with you all that there are way too many laws, but human beings tend to be their own worst enemies... and need a little coaxing sometimes.

[light_sabe_r]

I don't buy that line that people will ride less if helmets are required.
in my county helmets are required and in the last year bike ridership has
just grown like crazy!

In my Country wearing it is the law. and when we were kids wearing a "Stack Hat" was cool!

Then again, the $40 fine introduced when I was a kid is really not much these days... Which I guess is why I passed so many kids without helmets on today

[margo49]

The New Zealand compulsory helmet law was the result of one mother's crusade after her son (aged 12 at the time) got totally head-injured and vegetative. She just went and spoke and spoke more and wrote letters and wrote more letters to schools and pollies and councils till it got passed. Got so as she was known as The Helmet Lady!
Which is a different kind of compulsory from the US descriptions of passing laws in the objective or theoretical.

I only started wearing one when I was 45.Out of responsibility to the children .(And not wanting to give the SO the chance at finding someone better! rofl !)

Now I think - ok,so you have a 0.000whatever % chance of it happening to you; but if it *does* it happens to you 100%. Now I wouldn't ride without. You get used to it. And feel nekkid without it.
And recently I did have a crash on my head and it would have been very bad (tho' not in the DeniseGoldberg league!) if I had not had a helmet.

[farrellcollie]

I would rather legislate who can and cannot have pets or children instead helmets. Of course I also believe that I am the best person to make the procreation/pet owning decisions - apply to me in triplicate.

Seriously I think that Americans have gone mad with trying to protect themselves and in particular children from life. I do usually wear a helmet - but would be no more or less inclined if it were another stupid law. I have been known to run with scissors.

[Haudlady]

I'm from New Hampshire - that's right, folks... home of "Live Free or Die."

I doubt that something like this would pass in my state. Heck - we don't require helmets when riding motorcycles, and it's optional for adults to wear seat belts! We do have a bicycle helmet law for minors, though.

I always wear my helmet - but I'm don't feel that I can dictate to someone else (unless, of course, we are talking about my husband!) that he or she MUST wear one.

[DDH]

First let me say, I believe people should wear helmets. That said, I am tired of politicians trying to tell everybody what is best for them, when they can't even balance a budget or take care of a city. I'm not perfect and I probably think I could do better but facts are I would probably fail in other areas. You just can't make everybody happy all the time. However I am really tired of government trying to get there hands into every aspect of peoples lives. There is too much government already as far as I am concerned.
First off, they come in and make these laws and then do not have the man power to enforce them, so what good are they? If an officer just happens to be driving down the road and see someone without one, while he is not already in route to another call, then he might stop and give them a ticket. Then what do you do, let them take the bike home while still not wearing a helmet, or do you confiscate their bike?
I think that bike organizations do a good job in promoting and letting folks know that they should, but I sitll think it should be an adults choice. I think organized rides require them, and that is a good thing, but it still gives the person riding a choice as to go or not go.
I will be honest, I hate them. They are hot, I can't get my hair up off my neck to keep my neck cooler and that drives me crazy, they aren't real comfortable but I wear mine. I have a 11 year old I want to see grow up and have my mental capacities to know who he is.
I used to ride without mine years ago, but as you get older you realize you are no longer invinceble and that things can happen to you and your family.
I think that they would do better to try and spend money creating bike lanes, or motorist education. I don't think most people know what the rules are on the road regarding bicycle's. I wasn't sure myself until I started riding again.
I mean I am always careful around one because lord knows I don't want to hit someone but I am more patient than most other drivers too. I'm not perfect mind you, but I am not always in such a dang hurry either.
Maybe we should picket for bike lanes in every town or at least some type of shoulder. I know in my town there is the traffic lane and then curb.
What little area there is between the road and the curb is always full of nails, dirt, trash and stuff I don't want to take my bike through.
Okay, off my soap box.

[Eden]

First off, they come in and make these laws and then do not have the man power to enforce them, so what good are they? If an officer just happens to be driving down the road and see someone without one, while he is not already in route to another call, then he might stop and give them a ticket. Then what do you do, let them take the bike home while still not wearing a helmet, or do you confiscate their bike?

Perhaps a better solution would be like the one that Portland OR? (I think) has instituted for those who ride at night without lights. Instead of ticketing those folks the police carry bike lights that they hand out and ask that the people use. It might cost the city a little money, but it turns into much more of a win/win situation. Why not have a few helmets on hand to give out? Really its true that even if there are laws, for the most part the police have better things to do than enforce helmet laws. I mean sheesh they rarely hand out traffic/speeding tickets around the city here because they don't really have the time.

(oh worst to worst if you are required to not ride your bike without a helmet you could walk it home or put it on a bus around here so I see no need to confiscate the bike - on a similar note I've just heard that you can't get a ticket here for cycling drunk here now - but they can impound the bike )

I will be honest, I hate them. They are hot, I can't get my hair up off my neck to keep my neck cooler and that drives me crazy, they aren't real comfortable but I wear mine.

Sounds like you need a better helmet. I put my hair up in a pony tail and stick it out of the back of my helmet to keep it off of my neck. My helmet is very light and has plenty of vents. Unless I crank it down too tight I barely notice that I'm wearing it.

[mimitabby]

Perhaps a better solution would be like the one that Portland OR? (I think) has instituted for those who ride at night without lights. Instead of ticketing those folks the police carry bike lights that they hand out and ask that the people use. It might cost the city a little money, but it turns into much more of a win/win situation. Why not have a few helmets on hand to give out? Really its true that even if there are laws, for the most part the police have better things to do than enforce helmet laws.

wow, that's really cool!! I love Ptd, OR!!!

- on a similar note I've just heard that you can't get a ticket here for cycling drunk here now - but they can impound the bike )

hmm, not so sure that's true, you can get a ticket for riding a HORSE drunk.
They have no public drunkenness laws there?

[Eden]

hmm, not so sure that's true, you can get a ticket for riding a HORSE drunk.
They have no public drunkenness laws there?

I'm talking about here in Seattle - I'm not entirely sure of the source - my husband told me about seeing it last weekend, but he said that the article said in Seattle you won't get a ticket specifically for cycling drunk. I would guess that any public drunkeness charges would be entirely separate, but unlike getting a speeding ticket on your bike, which goes on your driving record, aquires points on your license, makes your insurance go up etc., you won't get a traffic ticket for cycling under the influence.

[DDH]

Wow Eden, what kind of helmet is it? I would love to find one that I can put my hair up in a higher pony tail off my neck and be able to poke it through.
Okay, sorry, off subject, just pm me if you will. Thanks.

[Veronica]

I guess parents in my town must not care about their kids. CA has a mandatory helmet law for minors. I see very few kids wearing their helmets as they bike to school or around town.

The students in my class wear their helmets - I bug them if they don't and bring it up at conferences.

I too am tired of the government legislating us to death. Why don't they do something important like stop Big Mac production?

I am the youngest of 7 children, born in the days before SUVs and mini vans. My parents piled all seven of us into the car, sitting on laps, no selt belts, no cars seats... In the summer we all piled into the bed of my dad's truck. We all survived into adult hood. Now it's special seats up to age 37...

What happened to personal responsibility?

BTW I nearly always wear my helmet. Thom often removes his on hot days when he is climbing. Maybe someday I'll regret letting him make decisions for himself...But gee I prefer to treat him like an adult and an equal.

V.