Eric, The numbers are something like 600 deaths a year from cycling, 4000 a year from walking and 30,000 a year from motor vehicles. The numbers doing these activities vary wildly of course. If you know several people who were killed on bikes last year, you know several of the 600 or so who were killed. I think most people recognize that biking is more dangerous (in the U.S.) per mile, but it is closer per hour in this mode of transport. I think biking sober, slowly (under 15 mph) and with traffic laws is a very safe mode of transport. Safer with a helmet. Like these other fairly safe modes of transport. Think of the 30,000 deaths and 280,000 brain injuries from the relatively safe practice of driving. Many would have benefitted from a helmet even though it seems nuts to recommend it for all drivers. Many of them have loved ones that are caring for them. My sons teacher hit a deer and the antlers pierced her daughter's skull. She is well now, thank goodness. That is one type of injury that would have been prevented by a helmet, but ice never heard it suggested. I think the same for bikers: not so dangerous to need a helmet if done according to traffic laws (including lights at night) on city streets and sober. I think it is best to advocate for more safety measures for vulnerable populations and in more dangerous environments. Does everyone think that bike riders in the Netherlands should all don helmets, in the safest cycling environment in the world? Some may, but most would admit that biking can be done safely without a helmet in certain situations, but others are riskier and a helmet may be considered. Jonathan Brandt's picture the other day, leaning in hard and going fast without a helmet reminded me that most doing that then didn't wear helmets and most doing it now do. Probably should.
Everything in moderation! Now the moderators can shit this thread down before I post any more! Wishing you all the safest of travels, regardless of the mode or helmet status, Edwin -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
