Comments on: Should I Wear a Helmet Today? http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/20/should-i-wear-a-helmet-today/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:40:24 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: John http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/20/should-i-wear-a-helmet-today/comment-page-1/#comment-5683 John Thu, 21 May 2009 22:03:23 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2219#comment-5683 I like to tell people with your attitude what the guy who sold me my first motorcycle said when I was 18: "It isn't a question of IF you ever drop it, it is a question of WHEN you WILL drop it". I bicycle on a daily basis and my brain bucket has saved my life at least twice, and I for one will deal with bad "public perception" over my brain splattered on the pavement. Trust me that a "dignified hat" will not stop the concrete and you are welcome to see what is left of the hat or the 3 inch scar on my head as proof. Think about the example you are setting for your kids who will hopefully become lifelong cyclists, and safe cyclists. I like to tell people with your attitude what the guy who sold me my first motorcycle said when I was 18: "It isn't a question of IF you ever drop it, it is a question of WHEN you WILL drop it".

I bicycle on a daily basis and my brain bucket has saved my life at least twice, and I for one will deal with bad "public perception" over my brain splattered on the pavement. Trust me that a "dignified hat" will not stop the concrete and you are welcome to see what is left of the hat or the 3 inch scar on my head as proof.

Think about the example you are setting for your kids who will hopefully become lifelong cyclists, and safe cyclists.

]]> By: Wai Yip Tung http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/20/should-i-wear-a-helmet-today/comment-page-1/#comment-5680 Wai Yip Tung Thu, 21 May 2009 18:34:03 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2219#comment-5680 So? Nobody say it would protect you in all circumstances. Nothing would. But there are plenty of scenarios it could help. If a car cut you off when making a right turn, causing you to fall; if you try to dodge a car and lose your balance, if you are doored, if another cyclists hit you, etc. Don't base your evaluation on worst case scenario. So? Nobody say it would protect you in all circumstances. Nothing would. But there are plenty of scenarios it could help. If a car cut you off when making a right turn, causing you to fall; if you try to dodge a car and lose your balance, if you are doored, if another cyclists hit you, etc. Don't base your evaluation on worst case scenario.

]]> By: Jim F. http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/20/should-i-wear-a-helmet-today/comment-page-1/#comment-5673 Jim F. Thu, 21 May 2009 03:52:39 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2219#comment-5673 No helmet is going to protect you when car runs you over. No helmet is going to protect you when car runs you over.

]]> By: Wai Yip Tung http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/20/should-i-wear-a-helmet-today/comment-page-1/#comment-5672 Wai Yip Tung Thu, 21 May 2009 02:26:10 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2219#comment-5672 Plus helmet is never mean to be the only safety measure. If increase the number of cyclists on city streets make them safer we should certain promote that, as is blinky lights, riding in a straight line in a predictable manner, be alert to the traffic around you, etc, etc. These are all complementary to wearing helmet. There is no reason we should not do them all. If helmet is only useful in 1 in 10 accident, I still think it is $20 well spend. Plus helmet is never mean to be the only safety measure. If increase the number of cyclists on city streets make them safer we should certain promote that, as is blinky lights, riding in a straight line in a predictable manner, be alert to the traffic around you, etc, etc. These are all complementary to wearing helmet. There is no reason we should not do them all. If helmet is only useful in 1 in 10 accident, I still think it is $20 well spend.

]]> By: Wai Yip Tung http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/20/should-i-wear-a-helmet-today/comment-page-1/#comment-5671 Wai Yip Tung Thu, 21 May 2009 02:13:45 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2219#comment-5671 1. In the picture, you straps are not clipped. That's the same as not wearing helmet. 2. You should just set a good example to your children. If you wear it sometimes and not wear it other times, they may get confused about the need of a helmet. 3. Since you wearing it most of the time anyway, why waste time to make individual decision in each situation? Just put it on and snap the clips. How hard can that be? Motorist can make the same argument. I'm driving in the neighorhood street and under 25mph. Seat belt isn't essential in those driving condition. This is a reasonable argument, granted. But can you trust people to be so alert that as soon as they go above 25mph they will behave and buckle up? If you make this exception people will just get confused and make mistake all the time. It will also make the law much harder to enforce. That why we have one simple law. Buckle up, period. 1. In the picture, you straps are not clipped. That's the same as not wearing helmet.

2. You should just set a good example to your children. If you wear it sometimes and not wear it other times, they may get confused about the need of a helmet.

3. Since you wearing it most of the time anyway, why waste time to make individual decision in each situation? Just put it on and snap the clips. How hard can that be?

Motorist can make the same argument. I'm driving in the neighorhood street and under 25mph. Seat belt isn't essential in those driving condition. This is a reasonable argument, granted. But can you trust people to be so alert that as soon as they go above 25mph they will behave and buckle up? If you make this exception people will just get confused and make mistake all the time. It will also make the law much harder to enforce. That why we have one simple law. Buckle up, period.

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