California Bicycle Helmet Law And Transportation Infrastructure City Bike Blogger
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A recent bill introduced in the California state senate would require adults to wear bicycle helmets and reflective clothing. The bill's author cites statistics as a reason for the government mandate. As any cyclist knows, bicycle accident statistics are shaky at best. The data is very limited. There are current laws that require lights and reflectors on bikes, but no state within the United States currently requires an adult to wear protective gear. My personal opinion is that you should ride with a helmet. Sure it only protects the very top of your head at slower speeds, but it's better than nothing. I'm not entirely sure I agree with requiring cyclists to pay out of pocket for a helmet to ride a bike though. It does infringe on personal liberty in my opinion, and it would discourage more people to ride. However, as bike infrastructure slowly becomes built to accomodate cyclists (very very slowly in the USA I might add) it does not surprise me that new law will be introduced to regulate the users who benefit most from it. As the government becomes more involved with bicyclists (be it required parking, bike lanes, registration) it is fair to argue they are opening themselves up to lawsuit, and additional regulation is often the result. Helmets have been compared to seatbelts and airbags before, but I do not believe helmets are as effective at saving your life. Better infrastructure, education, and protected bike lanes would be the ideal solution to saving lives. So, I believe helmet law should keep pace with infrastructure. Unless a state becomes bicycle friendly overnight I do not believe laws governing cyclists should change across a state overnight. LOL Thanks for watching! And please subscribe! http://www.bikeblogger.com
Comments
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Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada, as well as California are along the western states that bicyclists are required to wear a helmets when riding a bicycle.
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do you know how to fix the windshield wipers and any tricks to fix the a/c.......lol keep truckin friend. my bike is my savior.
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People in cars should be required to wear helmets first. Look at the millions that die each year from car wrecks. Do millions die from bike riding? the panic stricken laws have got to go. Statistics and studies show you are more likely to get bitten by a shark than hurt yourself from a bike crash.
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All the pro-law people need to get acquainted with the facts.I suggest you read this 65-page document. It's a transcript of the Victorian Senate Inquiry (Australia) into Mandatory Helmet Laws.But here are two simple and indisputable facts:
1. Seatbelt laws do not have a negative health impact on society, MHL's do.
2. In most crashes, sudden rotation is the cause of brain damage; and a helmet increases the likelihood and severity of skull rotation.
Transcript: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/commsen/6fea785b-7682-43ed-8280-97121eab8721/toc_pdf/Economics%20References%20Committee_2015_11_16_4001_Official.pdf;fileType=application/pdf#search=%22committees/commsen/6fea785b-7682-43ed-8280-97121eab8721/0000%22 -
actually where i used to live in NY it is a law to wear a helmet
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I understand the reasoning why it is safer to wear a helmet while cycling. If you follow the same reasoning, than you should wear a helmet while driving a car and before entering a bathroom. There are more head injuries every year caused from slipping in the bathroom and from driving a car than there is from cycling. At some point you have to give more value to convenience and comfort over safety. I don't wear a helmet while cycling and I commute 12 miles a day M-F. I think the gov should stay out of peoples business. I don't need an old sea hag like Hillary Clinton telling me how to ride.
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Hi BikeBlogger,
been riding consistently myself and like your videos!
We here in Germany also don't require adult bycicle riders to wear helmets. Prototype studies suggest, if such a law would be implemented, people would ride their bikes less often and the rate of cardio-vascular deseases would increase as a result.
I'd urge every rider to wear a helmet, too and even suggest to use cycle gloves for increased comfort, additional protection & handle bar control as well. -
Q: What's the difference between a conservative bicyclist and a liberal bicyclist?
A: The conservative wears a helmet when deemed prudent, and advises others to do the same, while the liberal thinks everyone should wear helmets at all times (wait for it, pedestrians), and tries to pass legislation forcing their personal lifestyle choices on everyone else.
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