Mandatory Helmet Law

[tomgrrrl]

I'm all for freedom of choice (for adults) BUT.....the problem with those who go helmet-free is that we have to pick up the tab for their medical costs. I think the same logic that applies to madatory seat-belt laws applies to helmet laws. When one is cycling, one is using public roads, theoretically obeying public laws. Here in CA. motorcyclists have to wear helmets, why not cyclists?

There is a law that currently requires minors to wear helmets BUT there's often one major problem with that. The kids don't know how to even wear them correctly. Most of the time when I see a kid wearing a helmet, the chin strap is loose or not even attached.

Perhaps a happy medium would be a public service ad campaign (print and tv) that encourages proper helmet use and also asks drivers to "share the road." Kill two birds with one stone.....

[Aggie_Ama]

I am for freedom of choice, but not picking up the bill for stupidity. I live in the suburbs of the town this mandatory law is being proposed in. Personally I don't mind it one bit. Of course I believe it won't be enforced because the Austin Police Department has a lot of problems internally and externally, I can't imagine they will care about citing a cyclist. I am also one who buckles up even in the backseat when the law only states the front and get a little unnerved if someone's backseat belts do not work. I also request passengers in my car buckle up. I believe motorcyclists in Texas should be fined for not wearing a helmet. This is just my opinion.

I think as adults we should all wear helmets to lead by example. Kids grow up seeing helmets and they just think it is part of riding a bike. Maybe my logic is quaint, but I will not ever let my future tots see me on a bike without a helmet. They will know the two go together.

The low speed argument doesn't sit well with me either. A friend of ours used to ride his bike to work. One day he got slammed into by a car in the parking lot of his work. The car was probably going 20-25 mph (about what one would drive SLOWLY in a neighborhood), yet our friend broke a wrist, leg, ankle and a few ribs. His face was badly bruised from flying onto the windshield but thanks to his helmet he avoided a concussion and serious head trauma.

[Quillfred]

how would you feel if you were driving and hit a person (kid or adult) who was without a helmet as there was no helmet law. You were determined to be at fault. Accident resulted in severe brain trauma = ICU>Rehab that would have been prevented had victim worn a helmet. Family sues you for the cost of care.

How would you feel about the mandatory helmet law, knowing that it could have left this person functioning and prevented a financial ruin for yourself.

I try not to get angry when I see an adult not wearing a helmet--although it is law here. I instead of it as Darwinian Law--survival of the smartest.

Quill

[Veronica]

I think this is one of those topics where you cannot convince those who feel differently to change their minds.

Nothing I have read has changed my opinion.

Is there anyone out there who has changed their mind about the law based on what they have read here?

V.

[Kitsune06]

I try not to get angry when I see an adult not wearing a helmet--although it is law here. I instead of it as Darwinian Law--survival of the smartest.

Quill

Exactly. I used to get far too worked up over too many things... (political, etc) so now that I accept it as 'survival of the smartest' I can go on... but it DOES aggrivate the S/Os in our lives who don't wish to wear helmets. "Well, honey... if you LOOK, the only people not wearing helmets are kids and people you'd generally recognize as dumb... Where would that place you?"
"They're hot and mess up my hair."
"Cars mess up your brain matter."
"Point."