rumrunn6

haven't been aware of ANY helmet "enforcement" anywhere, ever. maybe I'm not observant?

mr_bill

Historically, they are VERY selectively enforced.
Three summers ago there were several high profile incidents in Greater Boston.
(Covid has put a temporary stay on the harassments.)

Emphasis added below:

-mr. bill

genec

I think the thing that bothers me about mandatory adult helmet laws is that they don't apply to automobile drivers.

twistgrip

Our local helmet law is probably not enforced very often on it's own. The cop has another reason to invoke it. I do get the general feeling that wearing a helmet has given me a bit of leeway when a cop sees me not coming to a full STOP. Around here, riding helmet-less makes one an easy prey for a cascade of infractions. That is one reason cyclists end up wearing them, eventually: get ticketed once and you'll make sure it never happens again.

Americans do not like helmet laws, even for motorcycles, and they have the popular weight to influence politics. We have under-performing public health care looking for all possible ways to keep people out of hospitals. We also consider a turban to be a valid substitute for a motorcycle helmet because we are open-minded.

twistgrip

Our local helmet law is probably not enforced very often on it's own. The cop has another reason to invoke it. I do get the general feeling that wearing a helmet has given me a bit of leeway when a cop sees me not coming to a full STOP. Around here, riding helmet-less makes one an easy prey for a cascade of infractions. That is one reason cyclists end up wearing them, eventually: get ticketed once and you'll make sure it never happens again.

Americans do not like helmet laws, even for motorcycles, and they have the popular weight to influence politics. We have under-performing public health care looking for all possible ways to keep people out of hospitals. We also consider a turban to be a valid substitute for a motorcycle helmet because we are open-minded.

livedarklions

Are they missing a crop of well-rested cliches and wise stereotypes?

livedarklions

More likely the crackdowns were the result of a well-connected person having an unpleasant encounter with a cyclist. Two short crackdowns in 10 years is too sporadic to be a budgetary measure.

I-Like-To-Bike

Must be, or maybe with the advent of an ailment of aging have forgotten them and must keep repeating the same old hackneyed blather.

livedarklions

I really wish I didn't know young people who do this too. Alas, we appear to live in an age of hackneyed blather.

"Hackneyed Blather" is a great name for an Irish ska band, btw

SurferRosa

I was scolded or stopped by cops 2-3 times in Seattle about six years ago (of more). Then we had a change of Mayor, which I think helped. And that led to even better bike infrastructure. We also had the ubiquitous and ugly bike share program pop up, where very few if any users wear a helmet. So the article I posted in the op was surprising to me, since I perceived helmet enforcement already in the distant past.

Makes sense. Fortunately, here in Washington state, we've had the Idaho stop law since 10/2020.

LarrySellerz

I've had a lot of experience with the helmet police with riders. No cops because it's none of their business. People will side eye you without a helmet though

livedarklions

So? They're entitled to their opinion and you're free to take it on or ignore it. Now you're calling people "police" because you don't like their facial expressions?

An awful lot of your postings are really you saying that people shouldn't be annoyed by your riding habits. Unfortunately for you, that's not your call.

LarrySellerz

They are helmet police because they told me not to ride with them unless I wore a helmet. Lots of riders don't wear helmets, pros used to not wear helmets, its a personal decision and people should respect it. I'm sick of fighting the losing battle though so now I ride with one on my bars to put on if I anticipate getting caught up in a group ride situation or a technical descent

livedarklions

If you want to ride with someone, you need to respect the conditions under which they will allow you to, they have no obligation to humor your eccentricities and/or neglect of basic safety equipment. That doesn't make them police, they just don't want to be associated with you if you can't behave. You don't have any right to force yourself on them and you're free to go ahead with your own ride without them.

LarrySellerz

They pressured me into wearing one so they are the helmet police

GhostRider62

Sign up for Paris Brest Paris. No helmet requirement plus they serve alcohol at the stops. But, France is a long way to go for freedom.

JW Fas

If you want to proverbially die on this hill, I guess it's better than literally dying from a head injury.

livedarklions

You have a very whiny concept of pressuring. "Waah, mommy, they won't play with me unless I wear my helmet! That's mean!"

livedarklions

At least he didn't call them the Gestapo.

It's almost like he doesn't know what police actually do.

LarrySellerz

Stuperbowl is closer Stupor Bowl Returns Again, and so do the Drunken Bikers - Mpls.St.Paul Magazine (mspmag.com) they wont require helmets, plus there are cars to dodge/draft/skitch

SurferRosa

I hear you. It happened to me once or twice. But there's no need to respond to any career A&S poster's trolling, unthoughtful remarks about being "unbehaving," "eccentric," "whiny," or "unsafe."

This thread is about helmet laws in your area. If anyone wants to make it about something else, he can start his own thread. tia.

livedarklions

I'm not the guy confusing not letting him join their group ride with law enforcement. He's not even talking about unsolicited comments or scolding, he's complaining because people don't want to ride with him.

You're complaining about being stopped by actual police. That's a whole different kettle of fish, and I don't think that should happen. It's basically a license for cops to hassle cyclists for no good reason. There's absolutely no equivalence between what you're talking about andLarrySellerz 's whiny complaint about "pressure".

Troul 

Does canada require skateboarders & roller-skaters to wear a helmet if on public ground?

SurferRosa

I don't think I "complained" about that. And I don't think the other poster is "whining" about anything. There's no reason to escalate an argument, embellish opinion, or use vitriolic language. These methods of yours don't resonate with me. Please don't muddy up this thread with that stuff. Thank you.

amitzinman

I was wondering, has anyone ever done a scientific study of bike helmets? Something peer reviewed with crash test dummies?