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Helmets, Rapha, and the "freedom of choice" argument

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Helmets, Rapha, and the "freedom of choice" argument

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Old 11-02-09, 03:47 PM
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Helmets, Rapha, and the "freedom of choice" argument

I'm an unapologetic advocate of helmets. My words to any cyclist riding without a helmet: "No helmet, no brains".

Topping it off are those arrogant Rapha ads with models in tweed beanies dressed up to look like a "rugged" Ivy League MBA's spending some of their TARP subsidized bonus on a weekend ride in Norway. I'm reminded of Wayne McLaren, the now infamous Marlboro Man, who died of lung cancer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_McLaren. I doubt that many of you can remember when cigarette smoking was considered glamorous and that image of a "rugged" cowboy was the epitome of masculinity.

What's my problem with the ads or cyclists riding without helmets? Or more generally what is my problem with the "free choice" argument? The free choice argument: 1) ignores common sense, 2) suggests that helmets are not necessary for safety, 3) transfers the long term liability of an accident from an irresponsible individual to generous society, and 4) offers a horrible example for children.
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Old 11-02-09, 03:48 PM
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I wish I had time to worry about pointless things like this...
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Old 11-02-09, 03:50 PM
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Do you have any idea how risky helmetless riding really is?


Why don't you take this to A&S?
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Old 11-02-09, 04:02 PM
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this must really piss you off then huh...





should they stop airing the tour de france?
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Old 11-02-09, 04:03 PM
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I wear one. My children do, too. All while riding bikes, of course.

Everyone I ride with wears one.

What else can I say?
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Old 11-02-09, 04:06 PM
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Why is it the foam *** things they call bicycle helmets are the tipping point on the no brains scale? You would be exponentially better protected wearing a motorcycle helmet, full leathers and gloves just like someone roadracing motorcycles, correct?
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Old 11-02-09, 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bigtea
I'm an unapologetic advocate of helmets. My words to any cyclist riding without a helmet: "No helmet, no brains".

Topping it off are those arrogant Rapha ads with models in tweed beanies dressed up to look like a "rugged" Ivy League MBA's spending some of their TARP subsidized bonus on a weekend ride in Norway. I'm reminded of Wayne McLaren, the now infamous Marlboro Man, who died of lung cancer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_McLaren. I doubt that many of you can remember when cigarette smoking was considered glamorous and that image of a "rugged" cowboy was the epitome of masculinity.

What's my problem with the ads or cyclists riding without helmets? Or more generally what is my problem with the "free choice" argument? The free choice argument: 1) ignores common sense, 2) suggests that helmets are not necessary for safety, 3) transfers the long term liability of an accident from an irresponsible individual to generous society, and 4) offers a horrible example for children.
People should not ride bicycles because they are dangerous. They should be illegal.
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Old 11-02-09, 04:14 PM
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We passed the Rapha group as they were doing their Wisconsin ride back at the start of June. They were all wearing helmets.

It's hard advertise a $45 cycling cap in print media when the cap is under a helmet. No need to get uptight about it.
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Old 11-02-09, 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by bigtea
Helmets, Rapha, and the "freedom of choice" argument
please take this crap to A&S where it belongs.
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Old 11-02-09, 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by n8tron
should they stop airing the tour de france?
What year did you stop watching pro cycling?
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Old 11-02-09, 04:33 PM
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Marlboro Man should have wore a helmet.
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Old 11-02-09, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ok_commuter
What year did you stop watching pro cycling?
oops...

I always heard that they could take their helmets off on a final climb but now read that that changed in 2003.

please disregard my earlier post as it is completely incorrect... I'll leave it up and accept any derision.
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Old 11-02-09, 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by bigtea
I'm an unapologetic advocate of helmets. My words to any cyclist riding without a helmet: "No helmet, no brains".

Topping it off are those arrogant Rapha ads with models in tweed beanies dressed up to look like a "rugged" Ivy League MBA's spending some of their TARP subsidized bonus on a weekend ride in Norway. I'm reminded of Wayne McLaren, the now infamous Marlboro Man, who died of lung cancer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_McLaren. I doubt that many of you can remember when cigarette smoking was considered glamorous and that image of a "rugged" cowboy was the epitome of masculinity.

What's my problem with the ads or cyclists riding without helmets? Or more generally what is my problem with the "free choice" argument? The free choice argument: 1) ignores common sense, 2) suggests that helmets are not necessary for safety, 3) transfers the long term liability of an accident from an irresponsible individual to generous society, and 4) offers a horrible example for children.
It's an ad. All sorts of things are advertised in ways that aren't necessarily appropriate for general use. Hence, the "closed course" caption on car ads.

If you really want to argue about helmets you should take this to A&S. Just ask.
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Old 11-02-09, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by phantoj
do you have any idea how risky helmetless riding really is?


why don't you take this to a&s?
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Old 11-02-09, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by bigtea
I'm an unapologetic advocate of helmets. My words to any cyclist riding without a helmet: "No helmet, no brains".

Topping it off are those arrogant Rapha ads with models in tweed beanies dressed up to look like a "rugged" Ivy League MBA's spending some of their TARP subsidized bonus on a weekend ride in Norway. I'm reminded of Wayne McLaren, the now infamous Marlboro Man, who died of lung cancer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_McLaren. I doubt that many of you can remember when cigarette smoking was considered glamorous and that image of a "rugged" cowboy was the epitome of masculinity.

What's my problem with the ads or cyclists riding without helmets? Or more generally what is my problem with the "free choice" argument? The free choice argument: 1) ignores common sense, 2) suggests that helmets are not necessary for safety, 3) transfers the long term liability of an accident from an irresponsible individual to generous society, and 4) offers a horrible example for children.
Should I stop riding up & down past the local school, whilst smoking but without a helmet, then? I like riding with my quick release hubs good & loose too - is that wrong as well?
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Old 11-02-09, 06:20 PM
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Free choice seems to work OK in countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, etc.
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Old 11-02-09, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by rydaddy
I wish I had time to worry about pointless things like this...
You don't? I see, however, that you seem to have enough time to read such pointless things and submit vapid comments.
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Old 11-02-09, 06:40 PM
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A&s jong!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 11-02-09, 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by bigtea
I'm an unapologetic advocate of helmets. My words to any cyclist riding without a helmet: "No helmet, no brains".

Topping it off are those arrogant Rapha ads with models in tweed beanies dressed up to look like a "rugged" Ivy League MBA's spending some of their TARP subsidized bonus on a weekend ride in Norway. I'm reminded of Wayne McLaren, the now infamous Marlboro Man, who died of lung cancer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_McLaren. I doubt that many of you can remember when cigarette smoking was considered glamorous and that image of a "rugged" cowboy was the epitome of masculinity.

What's my problem with the ads or cyclists riding without helmets? Or more generally what is my problem with the "free choice" argument? The free choice argument: 1) ignores common sense, 2) suggests that helmets are not necessary for safety, 3) transfers the long term liability of an accident from an irresponsible individual to generous society, and 4) offers a horrible example for children.
No sorry, the only person ignoring common sense...and common manners, is you. I won't speculate on the quantity or quality of your brains, but starting a thread like this doesn't bode well for either of them.

Now off to A&S with you.
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Old 11-02-09, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Walter
It's an ad. All sorts of things are advertised in ways that aren't necessarily appropriate for general use. Hence, the "closed course" caption on car ads.

If you really want to argue about helmets you should take this to A&S. Just ask.
I'm asking...we have serious stuff like pcad's deck to discuss in here.
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Old 11-02-09, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by bigtea
I see, however, that you seem to have enough time to read such pointless things


You sure spend a lot of time worrying about what other people do and how they do so. Wear a helmet if you want, and mind your own damn business.
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Old 11-02-09, 07:33 PM
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Send this crap back, we do not want it in A&S.
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Old 11-02-09, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by CB HI
Send this crap back, we do not want it in A&S.
Too bad.
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Old 11-02-09, 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ImaPoser
You would be exponentially better protected wearing a motorcycle helmet, full leathers and gloves just like someone roadracing motorcycles, correct?
Correct. Make mine fire-******ant as well.

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Old 11-02-09, 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by bigtea
I'm an unapologetic advocate of helmets. My words to any cyclist riding without a helmet: "No helmet, no brains".

Topping it off are those arrogant Rapha ads with models in tweed beanies dressed up to look like a "rugged" Ivy League MBA's spending some of their TARP subsidized bonus on a weekend ride in Norway. I'm reminded of Wayne McLaren, the now infamous Marlboro Man, who died of lung cancer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_McLaren. I doubt that many of you can remember when cigarette smoking was considered glamorous and that image of a "rugged" cowboy was the epitome of masculinity.

What's my problem with the ads or cyclists riding without helmets? Or more generally what is my problem with the "free choice" argument? The free choice argument: 1) ignores common sense, 2) suggests that helmets are not necessary for safety, 3) transfers the long term liability of an accident from an irresponsible individual to generous society, and 4) offers a horrible example for children.
Okay, I started riding a bicycle in 1968, there were no bicycle helmets then, practically everyone I knew, rode a bicycle, so probably 100 kids, each putting 10,000 miles per year on a bicycle, over a 12 year period, easily 12,000,000 miles. Guess how many died or suffered a serious head injury, in those days before the invention of helmets? There were crashes, I was involved in a few, but not one head injury more serious then a little road rash, among the entire group. This idea that if you don't wear a helmet at all times and in all places, that you will crash and die of a serious head injury, is marketing male bovine manure perpetuated by the helmet makers so that they have cyclists living in fear and so that they sell more helmets. If they can convince government to make those helmets mandatory, they sell even more.

These days I usually wear one, not because I think I need it, but because it's a ready identifier to cagers that I am on a bicycle, when they can't see the bicycle, so they expect me to be capable of moving faster then a pedestrian.
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