push bike helmets...should they be worn by law?

[joko]

why are they required on scooters and motorbikes, but not cycles...?

i know they travel slower, but the effects of an accident are similar, and they travel along in amongst other traffic, so why arent they enforced?

one of the biggest reasons why so many dont wear them is because of how they look...
and unfortunately many feel daft wearing one if they dont HAVE to...as though they would be nerdy or uncool if they wore one...

so why dont they take that notion away and make it obligatory for everyone...and the notion of looking silly would largely disappear because everyone would know they have no choice...

cheers

[ethandron]

perhaps they will eventually. maybe it's like seatbelts and they're waiting to see how many lives they save, or serious head injuries, before making them compulsory.
to be honest, i think they've lost the nerd factor already, it was only when they first started to be seen around they looked daft. it seems to me that manufacturers and designers have really got to grips with the design.

[hc4361]

Enforcement. With no registration plate the offender could only be dealt with if he is seen by an enforcement officer. Camera detection would be useless.
Criminal age of responsibility - what if the offender is a child?

[Eve]

I do having seen a cyclist lying dead on the road after a collision with a car but I agree it's difficult to regulate with children out on their own and judging by the amount of cyclists I see without helmets on a rather large burden on whoever is policing it.

My route to work goes via a very busy main road into the city centre with part of it apparently being the busiest bus route in Europe housing a lot of Manchester University buildings (so lots of students) and a major hospital then commuters on top.

I often have breath holding moments seeing cyclists have close calls with the buses. Many of the bus drivers (mostly doubledeckers) round here staunchly uphold their presence on the road and I've seen them hold up large queues of traffic in making the point they cannot turn as a car is stopped over the set back stopping marker - they will hold fast and block the road and make a whole queue of traffic reverse for them. I've seen many go over the speed limit, occasionally run reds and get into a number of rows (my bus home actually got pulled by the police one night one week).

Couple that with a large number of cyclists and I'm amazed there aren't more serious incidents, chances are there are lot you just don't hear about. Even if the buses aren't misbehaving it's still a busy and dangerous road, a 21 year old lost his life just the other week having been hit by a bus whilst chasing a thief on a bike who had stolen his mobile.

I've tried to count (as incredulous how many) cyclists without a helmet before now and often reach double figures just up that road let alone the ones with headphones on/in, long skirts and cardigans etc... I saw one cyclist last week swerve into a busy bus lane and off his bike when his chain went.

[sallybb]

Think children sould by law. They zoot about as fast they can.
If they were riding a small quite pony on a lead rein, by law they would have to have a riding hat on. So why not bikes.

[hc4361]

Do child horse riders have to wear a helmet / hard hat, even if they own the pony or horse?
What law is that?
It can't apply to children under the age of criminal responsibility, surely?

[TheWinner]

EDDIE 51, I love Cambridge!

[Twenty20]

It does work both ways though, EDDIE51.

Having recently returned to cycling after some years, I'm shocked at the actions of some motorists. It's fairly regular that I get cut up by a motorist who can't wait until you get past a junction before they turn left. Then there's the motorists who can't wait for a gap in the traffic before passing you if it's a slightly narrower road and come within an few inches of your handlebars. All for saving a few seconds off their journey time.

Having said that, there's probably an equal number of stupid cyclists. We've all seen the ones who don't think traffic lights apply to cyclists and who cycle on pavements etc etc.

As to helmets, yes I do wear one but I'm not sure how effective they would be in a collision with a motor vehicle. I can see them saving you getting a bump on the head or some scratches if you simply fall off, but in a collision with a fast moving motor vehicle I'm not sure they'd offer much protection. Better than nothing though, I suppose.

[emmie]

Many of the cyclists i see do wear them, what many don't do is obey the law.
Pavement cycling, and riding over red lights, it's just two gripes, but as an unsteady on the pins pedestrian, it gets on the old proverbials.

[Squitty]

I dont wear one - but I agree it should be law.
The top speed showing on my little gadget on the bike is 39 mph (down hill and following wind) - I know if I fell off at that speed I would be seriously injured.

[joko]

regardless of enforcement , if it was law, probably 80-90% of people would obey an wear one which is better than nothing.

[beso]

Helmets have been compulsory for cyclists in Australia for twenty years.

[owdhamer]

YES!!!!

[emmie]

But not in Britain, i think many don't like wearing them, but like Motorcyclists know there are benefits in doing so. They may not save your life in the event of an accident, but they may give a measure of protection, as opposed to not wearing one. Personally i would hate to wear one, but i don't cycle any longer.

[sallybb]

hc4361 Yes, it is a legal requirement for children to wear riding hats when on the road. and must be current BS standard. On what ever horse/pony they are riding, regardless of who owns it.