Originally Posted by Hippiebrian
Yet another reason I don't do a lot of group rides. The helmet industry ( and yes, it's the industry that has pushed these ideas) has gotten to almost every advoccy group in this country, so instead of promoting how safe cycling actually is, they wind up promoting "safe cycling" which they claim required classes, helmets, mirrors, and assorted other unnecessary equipment.
All you need is a bike to take a bike ride!
This sounds like a conspiracy theory...If all you need is a bike, as you say, then go on your bike ride and stop complaining that when YOU want to join somebody's group you refuse to play by the rules - which are there for a GOOD reason.
Man, I can't believe I'm doing this -- but I may have to
partially agree with electrik here. The bit of foam provided by a helmet has no credible efficacy to prevent head injury, but cycling
courses are one thing that can prevent head injury. I'd much rather promote "safe cycling" courses to people than simply handing them a useless accessory and letting them "take a stab at it".