Remember kids... always wear a helmet. (The almighty bikeradar helmet thread)

Depends. I'm not sure I would shoot him straight away. Perhaps a discussion first?

dangerous. he was a charismatic man.

oh and signed.

I think there only one or two places that have done this, but I don't remember which ones.

You're thinking of Mexico City whom repeals their helmet law back in Feburary 2010.

Chris, there is no irony--as I'm sure you're aware. This view is based on research into the public health consequences of *compulsory *helmets. If people want to wear them, let them--this is against forcing everybody to wear one or be fined by the police and prevented from riding any further.

The proposed legislation will not only have an effect on cycling in Northern Ireland. As others have hinted, it is a slippery slope. Conquer one country, then conquer the next. Despite the proven ineffectiveness of helmet laws elsewhere, they haven't been repealed yet. I think there only one or two places that have done this, but I don't remember which ones.

Needless to say, this case is not comparable in any way to the effects of Eurosceptic views espoused by certain parties in the UK.

i just can't see it being brought in, followed or successfully enforced. particularly now they have the boris bike scheme up and running

So? It'd be the law. It will deter a lot of people from cycling. We've seen that in other countries.

What grounds do you have to believe that it won't be brought in, followed or successfully enforced? No law (I guess) is enforced 100%, but why should that somehow absolve us from action now?

So? It'd be the law. It will deter a lot of people from cycling. We've seen that in other countries.

What grounds do you have to believe that it won't be brought in, followed or successfully enforced? No law (I guess) is enforced 100%, but why should that somehow absolve us from action now?

Don't get me wrong. I don't want to see it brought in and I see the negative effects of it being brought in, but I don't agree on me signing the petition.
I am just speculating that I cannot see a way of enforcing a helmet law when places like London have schemes set up to promote cycling so much. I have no evidence, I just see a lot of more against arguments for it than pro and too many complications for it to work.

you seem to be very short sighted

just because you cant imagine how it will be enforced, does not mean it will not happen

other countries have been this stupid and people simply stopped cycling

i just can't see it being brought in, followed or successfully enforced. particularly now they have the boris bike scheme up and running

It didn't stop Australia when they introduced their share bike scheme whom now offer helmet for $5;

Riding a bicycle around town isn't risky enough to required the use of a helmet.

Remember, we do have a very inept transport minister (otherwise known as Philips Hammond) who think Cycle England is useless (luckily they managed to save Bikeability), anything can be possible.

Is there any suggestion that the coalition is more likely to bring in a helmet law than the last lot?

i just can't see it being brought in, followed or successfully enforced. particularly now they have the boris bike scheme up and running

KEN BIKE ffs

It didn't stop Australia when they introduced their share bike scheme whom now offer helmet for $5;

The melbourne cycle scheme is a total failure based on almost every study/review I've read... but mostly from chatting shit at the pub.

Its totally attributable (based on pub analysis) to the helmet issue. You can buy them in 2 vending machines in the CBD, and at 7-11. Its a complete bit of shit.

I'd have signed up already if it wasn't for that... and the fact that the city is easily navigable by foot and the bike stations dont extend beyond the CBD.

Is there any suggestion that the coalition is more likely to bring in a helmet law than the last lot?

I believe thatthe coalition will be unlikely to consider this. At the last Paliamentary Bike group meeting tory Steve Norris ended the meeting with an anti helmet diatribe, the libertarian wings of the cons and dems wouldn't push for it (I really hope)

Steven Norris used to live opposite my brother. Trufax.

I am available for after-dinner speaking engagements if you want more of this type of anecdote.

the linky to the sustranian position
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/northern-ireland-and-the-republic-of-ireland/northern-ireland-and-the-republic-of-ireland-news

Is there any suggestion that the coalition is more likely to bring in a helmet law than the last lot?

No, none whatsoever (and what David said).

We have to make sure that it doesn't become a political football. There's always that danger.

Don't get me wrong. I don't want to see it brought in and I see the negative effects of it being brought in, but I don't agree on me signing the petition.

It's a chance for you to express your views. Where's the risk?

These things have a chance to jump across borders. 'Oh, country A has done this and that, let's do it, too.'

I am just speculating that I cannot see a way of enforcing a helmet law when places like London have schemes set up to promote cycling so much. I have no evidence, I just see a lot of more against arguments for it than pro and too many complications for it to work.

The key thing to understand here is that if someone is a law, it will have an effect regardless of enforcement or problems. Yes, there are plenty of people who when they ride bikes think that they are exempt from traffic conventions and would simply carry on riding helmetless, but far more who would simply stop cycling if this nonsense came in, as well as some who would follow it (including, of course, most people who already wear helmets today).

The net effect would be what has recently been described as a 'chilling effect' on cycling. There's no reason for complacency--there are plenty of people pushing helmet compulsion, some well-meaning, some less so (e.g. commercial interests wanting to sell more tat to people). It's very important to counter this at every opportunity.

these things have a chance to jump across borders. 'oh, country a has done this and that, let's do it, too.'

there's no reason for complacency--there are plenty of people pushing helmet compulsion, some well-meaning, some less so (e.g. Commercial interests wanting to sell more tat to people). It's very important to counter this at every opportunity.

^^^ now 'ear dis!!!

Sparky has been stirring it up in the grundiad

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/mar/14/cycling

I'm trying to work out why they're so bothered with this issue, a poll asking their members how much space they give cyclists might be more useful

www.iam.org.uk/iam_polls

I was thinking to buy a Bern helmet (the polo type one, BTW, do they have a website?) but the shop where I was said to me they were not homologated for cycling, only water sports ?!

Anyone heard something about that?

homologated for cycling

I can't believe I've had to look up a word in the dictionary already, it's not even 9.30am!

I imagine the same shop would tell me that none of my various bobble hats are homologated for cycling* and they would be absolutely correct, although I would continue to pay no attention to their helmet fascist advice :-)

*bobble hats are not advised during watersports

Greggy boy, the Bern helmet will be too warm to ride - not enough ventilation.

Unless you like to jump red light dangerously, ride on pavements, doing trick on BMX etc. you don't really need a helmet.

*have to google homologated too

Unless you like to jump red light dangerously, ride on pavements, doing trick on BMX etc. you don't really need a helmet.

Don't troll...

Sorry guys, that was frenglishized word... approved would have been better.

Anyway,

I homogolate this thread.

I homogolate this thread.

to homologate is more of an action. eg a car company will homologate a model to meet the specific laws and standards of the different countries in order for it to be approved for use in that country