open note to all helmet nazis...
08-10-09, 09:30 AM
#76
Senior Member
From 1994-2006, 83%-97% of cycling deaths are non-helmeted riders.
2005 - no helmet-deaths->676 (86%)--helmet-deaths->77(10%) total bicycle deaths-->784
2006 - no helmet-deaths->730 (95%)--helmet-deaths->37(5%) total bicycle deaths-->770
08-10-09, 09:40 AM
#77
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Well let's take this a bit further. Racing obviously puts one at more risk of injury than toodling down the MUP with NancyJo. So if you race, you obviously accept that risk and thus if you do get injured, no treatment is necessary. Same would go for downhilling, BMX, free-riding, single-track, etc. Next, just riding a bicycle means that you don't care enough about your bod to warrant treatment for injury.
Of course we all know that being as ugly as you and I are, nobody in their right freakin mind is gonna treat us no matter what...they'll figure they are doing us a favor by just putting us out of our misery.
Of course we all know that being as ugly as you and I are, nobody in their right freakin mind is gonna treat us no matter what...they'll figure they are doing us a favor by just putting us out of our misery.
As for the ugly part, I was kind hoping they would take pitty on us, like those ugly abused dogs in the rescue shelters.
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08-10-09, 10:06 AM
#78
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Dude, you have just redefined the word liberty for the 21st century!
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
08-10-09, 11:50 AM
#80
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People can make their own decision on using a helmet unless required by law.
Also, helmet prices range from $15 to $300. There is one for every budget.
Here are some facts about helmet use. https://www.bhsi.org/stats.htm
Two percent of motor vehicle-related deaths are bicyclists. The most serious injuries among a majority of those killed are to the head, highlighting the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet. Helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent.
Ninety-five percent of bicyclists killed in 2006 reportedly weren't wearing helmets
Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries.
A very high percentage of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet, estimated at anywhere from 45 to 88 per cent.
Direct costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $81 million each year, rising with health care costs.
Indirect costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $2.3 billion each year.
Also, helmet prices range from $15 to $300. There is one for every budget.
Here are some facts about helmet use. https://www.bhsi.org/stats.htm
Two percent of motor vehicle-related deaths are bicyclists. The most serious injuries among a majority of those killed are to the head, highlighting the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet. Helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent.
Ninety-five percent of bicyclists killed in 2006 reportedly weren't wearing helmets
Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries.
A very high percentage of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet, estimated at anywhere from 45 to 88 per cent.
Direct costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $81 million each year, rising with health care costs.
Indirect costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $2.3 billion each year.
Cleaning up the wake of automobile destruction costs $165 billion per year.
2008 was the first year since 1962 where fewer than 40,000 people died in automobile-related accidents in the US.
About four people per hour die in cars all day every day in the US. (It's 1.2 million worldwide, annually.)
1 in 130 people in the US will be injured in an automobile accident this year.
The per household annual costs of cleaning up accidental deaths in the US is $5,500 --- most of it automobile deaths.
There are plenty more cherry-pickable stats about how incredibly dangerous cars are. My point: you're fighting the wrong battle with bicycle helmets. Get the damned cars off the road. They're the problem, and they're what's costing us a fortune. (Consider how much we spend in road maintenance and policing as well. It's staggering how much it costs us, both financially and in terms of human life, to drive.)
08-10-09, 12:01 PM
#82
Dilligaf
Here are some facts about helmet use. https://www.bhsi.org/stats.htm
And I have to trust them because they are an "institute"!? 
Dude, they make their money from your helmets. It's like making a statement "Smoking is good for you" and then supporting it with tons of data from the Philip Morris Tobacco Institute.
08-10-09, 12:06 PM
#83
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I think I have to side with OP on this one. He has the right to do as he pleases and should not be yelled at by others for doing so. Unless he lives in a state that has a helmet law for cyclists he did nothing wrong. It's his head and he has the right to go without a helmet. Next the old guy will be yelling at smokers “hey put that out”. I’m a non-smoker by the way but you get my point.
08-10-09, 12:09 PM
#84
Senior Member
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute!!?? And I have to trust them because they are an "institute"!? Dude, they make their money from your helmets. It's like making a statement "Smoking is good for you" and then supporting it with tons of data from the Philip Morris Tobacco Institute.
And I have to trust them because they are an "institute"!? Dude, they make their money from your helmets. It's like making a statement "Smoking is good for you" and then supporting it with tons of data from the Philip Morris Tobacco Institute.There are links to all the statistics as well as the page so I don't understand how I'm trying to dupe anyone? All the stats and where they got the stats are right there.
Bicycle helmet saftey is like the tobacco institute? Because advocating bicycle helmets is... a bad thing?
08-10-09, 12:20 PM
#85
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Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute!!?? And I have to trust them because they are an "institute"!? Dude, they make their money from your helmets. It's like making a statement "Smoking is good for you" and then supporting it with tons of data from the Philip Morris Tobacco Institute.
And I have to trust them because they are an "institute"!? Dude, they make their money from your helmets. It's like making a statement "Smoking is good for you" and then supporting it with tons of data from the Philip Morris Tobacco Institute.I would also like to see a stat on how many people die from falling off a bicycle --- probably it's very few, yes? Every time I read about a cyclist death, it's because of a car. CARS ARE THE PROBLEM.
(BTW: I do usually stick a lid on my head.)
08-10-09, 12:23 PM
#86
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I think I have to side with OP on this one. He has the right to do as he pleases and should not be yelled at by others for doing so. Unless he lives in a state that has a helmet law for cyclists he did nothing wrong. It's his head and he has the right to go without a helmet. Next the old guy will be yelling at smokers “hey put that out”. I’m a non-smoker by the way but you get my point.
I agree with you 100 percent. This is the internet and the soap boxes fly over the minutia.
08-10-09, 01:41 PM
#88
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YES! If we get cars off the road we can stop wearing helmets. I like that!
Also, if we just stop firearms and ammo from being manufactured, we can stop funding body armor for our soldiers. PERFECT!
It's so simple! How did no one else ever think of this?
Also, if we just stop firearms and ammo from being manufactured, we can stop funding body armor for our soldiers. PERFECT!
It's so simple! How did no one else ever think of this?
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08-10-09, 01:47 PM
#90
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"Body armor? Who needs body armor? Just wear something white. It'll come in handy..."
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08-10-09, 01:56 PM
#91
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Your recent fixation with Canada is troubling, eh.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
08-10-09, 01:58 PM
#92
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Lots of people have thought of it. Chris Rock thought of something like the gun thing: go ahead and keep guns legal, but charge $5000 for a bullet.
Anyway, more seriously --- how about just start by making it tremendously harder to get and keep a license, and enact and enforce SEVERE penalties for screwing up or breaking the rules.
08-10-09, 02:02 PM
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Eh, I've been tempted to look into moving there for about 2 years. The only thing that keeps me from considering it seriously is that I'd rather have the free mother-in-law babysitting than anything the Canadians can offer... and that weather up there sucks for riding too.
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08-10-09, 02:04 PM
#94
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Go watch a DUI hearing where the guy who just got convicted of his 2nd offense argues that he "needs" his car to get to work. It will make you sick. Besides, losing a license doesn't stop many people from driving.
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08-10-09, 02:10 PM
#95
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And this is why I'm talking *SEVERE* penalties. Like, you lose the car + spend time in prison (in which case you won't have to worry about the job that you're about to lose) + 2,000 hours of community service, etc. The legal system goes waaaaaay too easy on people.
And get more cars off the road. They kill far too many people.
08-10-09, 02:14 PM
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Oh I was talking about this with other people before, and I think they should take the guy's car and auction it off. The money from the car sale will pay the court costs, and anything left over will go into rehab programs. Even if the guy is too dense to learn, chances are he can't afford to keep buying a car each time he gets caught.
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08-10-09, 02:26 PM
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Bingo. That's what I'm saying. REAL consequences. And if s/he borrows someone else's car later, then take that car.
But unfortunately only about 1/3 of the deaths in cars are attributable to drunk driving. So we have a long way to go.
But unfortunately only about 1/3 of the deaths in cars are attributable to drunk driving. So we have a long way to go.
08-10-09, 02:38 PM
#98
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1/3 is a good chunk in my opinion.
Oh, and it's good to see we hijacked this thread. What was it about again?
Oh, and it's good to see we hijacked this thread. What was it about again?
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08-10-09, 02:48 PM
#99
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A good chunk to be sure. And definitely a very very good start.
Uh, the thread is about safety? No wait, politeness? Um... drunk helmeting? .... Oh hell I don't know.
To me it's about how dangerous and expensive cars are.
Uh, the thread is about safety? No wait, politeness? Um... drunk helmeting? .... Oh hell I don't know.
To me it's about how dangerous and expensive cars are.
08-10-09, 03:03 PM
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