Cyclists - Compulsory Helmet wearing debate

I think theres already way too much legislation. We should spend the time/money/effort on things that are more productive.

 

my view is - it should be law to wear a helmet if you are on a bike ... i also think it should be law on ski slopes too

 

My rant and 2p's worth,

I think most people seem to be missing the point that many cyclists dont seem to have any perception of defensive riding, or other road users, as absolutely no highway code knowledge is required to jump on a bike. When I did my motorbike licence there was as much emphasis on defensive riding to stay alive as there was on learning to ride the bike.

The amount of cyclists killed in London by trucks and buses turning left cannot solely be down to trained drivers everytime, and it seems recurringly that a cyclists death has never been a result of their own impatience, or poor road skills.

I drive alot in London for work and see some shocking riding almost daily, from jumping red lights, cycling with headphones on (this should be illegal in my opinion), and edging up on the left side of trucks and buses due to impatience, with no regard for the driver who's blnd spot they're sitting in. In my opinion many cyclists are their own worst enemy.

And whilst on the subject, a related rant, The next worst offenders are Brazilian courier riders on 125's with oversize top boxes, as they still think they're riding in Rio, again no highway code required to get a CBT licence, being able to read English is not required, A £5 pair of L plates and a cheap motorbike and they're out on the road.

As to cyclists wearing helmets, I dont think it should be compulsory, and should be down to personal choice.

Glad to get that off my chest.

 

How many of us let their kids out on a bike without a helmet ????????


Some cyclists can go in excess of 20 miles an hour, much the same as a 50 cc moped and they have to wear a helmet.

 

Just add my little bit ( may of been said I haven't looked).

When I was a little boy we couldn't take are bikes to school unless we took the cycling test and as for skid lids I'd rather not myself. Here in france it is said that hi-vis vests and skid lids won't be long before its law.

 

Many wise and well observed comments.

I'd also like to extend the debate past London - as London has an overwhelming issue with too much traffic and the cyclists and motorcyclists there are a low onto themselves. I've driven and commuted to many of the bigger cities in this country and London is like no where else.

Many cyclists and motorcyclists are factually their own worse enemy (I remember posting on here a youtube video of some numpty that filmed other peoples transgressions with no regard for his own poor motorcycling skill set or disregard for the laws and other road users), however, in terms of head count for cyclists the shocking ones are still in the minority. I also observe that many of them are car drivers just jumping onto their bikes after X amount of years away - and as for the pillocks that ride fixed wheels with no brakes then they deserve all they get.

Commenting on the left turn deaths - I think some of that could be the kerb side cyclist priority lanes they have marked out, I think some cyclists fail to understand that this does not give them the right of way and to be careful of left hand junctions.

An issue I have also noticed is that many junctions and roundabouts are simply not designed for anything other than cars - some cyclists have no option than to take to the pavement on these (anyone been on Culverhouse Cross in Cardiff?!)

It sounds like there is a consensus that there is a big inter dependant chain here, the bike helmet cannot fix it all and it needs to be looked at end to end if we are to actually make some inroads into this issue. BTW - as stated - I always wear my bike helmet, I just want to maintain a choice and more importantly, to not become wholly responsible for someone hitting me and the repercussions.

 

Ive been knocked off my bike car out of side road twit and i think viz jackets are a good idea, also agree cyclists should pass a proficiency test before cycling on the road.Insurance would be a good idea too , not a mega amount, I'm sorry but their are a lot of idiot both drivers and cyclists and they dont make the roads a safer place for sensible people to get about , Mr boring over n out.

 

I did 2 cyling pro test when i was younger..
Helmets is prob a good idea...
i want on of them olympic looking ones...
look good on my granddad bike

 

... I ride a motorbike every day. Sometimes I don't put on bike trousers, or over-trousers, but no matter how hot it is, I always wear a bike jacket, boots and gloves. A helmet is obviously required by law but it's so obviously a sensible idea that even if it wasn't I'd wear one. A bike copper once told me, and this is about gloves I know, that he stops every scooter rider he sees without gloves and says "get some gloves son or you'll end up having to ask your mum to wipe your @rse for the rest of your life". I think they've probably made the bike test a bit too hard now, but the lessons in defensive riding would be invaluable to cyclists. On a motorbike they teach you about "life-savers" which are basically common sense looks over the shoulder when turning, or doing anything really, just to stop you smacking into the side of the car that's decided to nip around the queue of traffic and turn right.

And here's the thing: I never wear a helmet riding a push bike! Stupidity or bloodymindedness? I don't know. But I'll be honest here, since that guy at the olympic park got killed, and Bradley Wiggins said everyone should wear a helmet, I will. Why? Because his opinion on this had to be respected I suppose.

My name is Stuart, I'm 43 years old. Cheers.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juIURJEsN3Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

it was made compulsary in new zealand to wear a helmet about 1990, it was a worth the hassel, people self police there and play by the rules. I always do have some huge hits on my mountain bike and i am still her and would not get on a bike without one, i make my daughter wear one and its the first thing she gets when she wants to ride her bike.

 

i don't wear one and i'd take umbridge if forced to do so, although that said i just checked my speedo on the trip to work (i started cycling in) and my max speed today was 36.4mph so if i fell off it might hurt! i feel i ride safe enough, i'll go on the path whenever it's clear and i wear a hiviz vest but i just don't think a plastic hat would help me if i got hit by an artic.

 

I have made a Poll!!

And immediately negated its need by defacing my card.

Let the mighty wheels of democracy turn!