Beware Anti-helmet ninnies

[Tim Kelley]

Arlington County code requires that bicycle riders age 14 and younger wear helmets.

BikeArlington generally encourages adults to wear helmets, but it isn’t mandatory. The best way to prevent an injury is to not get in a crash in the first place by being a Predictable, Alert and Lawful!

http://www.bikearlington.com/PAL

[creadinger]

@Rod Smith 31120 wrote:

I sometimes take mine off when I’m indoors. I sometimes open the chinstrap when I’m outdoors. If you take yours off you may die.

I love seeing people at a restaurant near a bike path wearing helmets while they eat lunch. Haha. I mean I know helmets are pretty comfortable these days but you can take it off when you get off the bike! Haha. Those people make me laugh.

I don’t think it’s because they’re afraid to take them off, so what is it? Laziness?

[OneEighth]

Hair, Darling. Hair.

[RayDC]

@Tim Kelley 31230 wrote:

Arlington County code requires that bicycle riders age 14 and younger wear helmets.

BikeArlington generally encourages adults to wear helmets, but it isn’t mandatory. The best way to prevent an injury is to not get in a crash in the first place by being a Predictable, Alert and Lawful!

http://www.bikearlington.com/PAL

That is correct.. I was predictable, alert and lawful as I always have been on my daily commute, but still got struck by a car who’s driver “didn’t see me” as I went straight through a green light as he turned left in to me. With helmet light on, light clothes and reflective items. I wish I could say that not getting in a crash is the best way to prevent injury, but sometime’s it’s not in the biker’s hands…

[Certifried]

@RayDC 31273 wrote:

That is correct.. I was predictable, alert and lawful as I always have been on my daily commute

so, it sounds like you’ve probably prevented more of these incidents, doesn’t mean you should stop doing it.

[RayDC]

Absolutely, I don’t plan to stop (I just need a new bike), I was meaning that bikers in general seem to get the bad rap when there’s an accident, but I’m living proof that no matter how much you do the right thing, it’s still not always in your control.

[DismalScientist]

Left hooks are the hardest accident to avoid. Either the driver sees you or not. The only real accident I’ve had was one. Left turns weren’t even allowed at the intersection. My only advice is make sure you are visible. Be well lit at night. Ride in the street and not on sidewalks (auto drivers don’t expect fast movement in crosswalks). Unfortunately, sometimes crap happens.

[Certifried]

Yeah, sounds like Ray was doing all that, and got hit. I understand his point. I guess I’m just maybe “hyper-aware”, in my case. I *always* expect the driver doesn’t see me and is going to hit me.

as far as helmets go, I always wear mine. I always did on my motorcycle too, and I’ve been riding motorcycles since the ripe old age of 4. As far as the laws go, however, I don’t like laws that tell people how to live (or die). I get that healthcare costs are driven up by un-insured (or even insured) people who don’t protect themselves and end up in accidents, costing taxpayers a lot of money. I just still don’t like laws telling me what to do. So, toss my vote in the “wear one, but don’t make me” ring.

[Rod Smith]

Seatbelt laws discourage driving because they make people think cars are dangerous.

[mstone]

@Rod Smith 31284 wrote:

Seatbelt laws discourage driving because they make people think cars are dangerous.

Yup, exactly the same thing. As you know, it is necessary to carry a seat belt with you at all times in case you might get in a car. Also, the science on seat belts is equivocal, and there is not a clear improvement in survival rates when victims are not ejected from their vehicle.

[Tim Kelley]

@RayDC 31273 wrote:

I wish I could say that not getting in a crash is the best way to prevent injury, but sometime’s it’s not in the biker’s hands…

One of the main points of PAL that is distinctive from other safety messaging is that it is aimed at all users of the roads, not just at cyclists. Motorists and pedestrians also shared the responsibility of being predictable, alert and lawful.

Check out this video which drives home this point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rzI2CVXNZKI

[Author]

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