no helmet

[porky]

Yes, very true steve.

 

Everyone is very quick to point the finger,.......we all want "THEM" to change,the motorists,the taxis, the truckers, the muncipalities, the government,hey even the laws must change - but WE dont want to change!!.

 

We still want to go about in blissfull lawless abandon, jumping lights, riding helmetless, ignoring stop streets,riding on freeways, riding three abreast, been disrespectfull, etc.

 

Why should anyone else change - we arnt.!

 

We, the cyclists, must decide what kind of a traffic / motoring society we want to live in, is it a lawless, disrespectfull one where everyone just dos as they like, or a safe law abiding society where the motorists and cyclists respect each other and live in harmony.

 

If we want the latter, (and I am sure we do)WE have to start working towards that goal, only we can make the change, we must stop pointing fingers start to "CHANGE", it ALL starts with "US",........ not "THEM".! 

 

 

 

 

porky2007-12-21 12:16:13

[David #7]

Porky, if more people had your attitude the world would be a far better and harmonise place.

[Delgado]

Agreed 100% Porky!!!!! It begins within our own!!!

[linnega]

The only thing I can agree with in this thread is that CSA should take a stand - and remove pointless laws that are damaging to cycling. There is no good reason to wear a helmet. It creates the wrong impression that cycling is a dangerous pastime. The safety benefits are debatable, but negligible at best.

 

I find it ridiculous can be so militant about something as trivial as cycle helmets without taking the time to at least apply their minds.

[hot stuff]

The only thing I can agree with in this thread is that CSA should take a stand - and remove pointless laws that are damaging to cycling. There is no good reason to wear a helmet. It creates the wrong impression that cycling is a dangerous pastime. The safety benefits are debatable' date=' but negligible at best.

I find it ridiculous can be so militant about something as trivial as cycle helmets without taking the time to at least apply their minds.[/quote']

 

There is no good reason to wear a helmet = that s a stupid comment if I ever heard one. I came over my handelbvars head first in simons Town after hitting a pot hole wasnt concentrating and i did not white knuckle it and I landed head first at 50km/h, I saw my life flash past and knew i was a gonner(lucky for me there was no traffic) the other cyclist flew over me. I sat up and was amazed that i was alive . that helmut saved my life.

 

There seems to be a whole lot european professionals here in Ct and none of them wearing helmets and riding around as if they were in France where the cyclist commands utmost respect. Well theyre in for a Nasty surprise when they get hit by any of our cycle loving population

hot stuff2007-12-21 14:04:24

[steve]

The only thing I can agree with in this thread is that CSA should take a stand - and remove pointless laws that are damaging to cycling. There is no good reason to wear a helmet. It creates the wrong impression that cycling is a dangerous pastime. The safety benefits are debatable' date=' but negligible at best.

I find it ridiculous can be so militant about something as trivial as cycle helmets without taking the time to at least apply their minds.[/quote']

 

Have you ever banged your head?

 

From your response I'd say you have and are still suffering the after effects.

 

I banged mine in a car crash and suffered a bruised & swollen brain ........ so much so that I had to learn how to ride a bike all over again and there's a month of my life erased from my memory!!

 

I always ride with a helmet coz I value my brain ........ its my favourite and most used organ!

steve2007-12-21 14:31:08

[supertorro]

 

The only thing I can agree with in this thread is that CSA should take a stand - and remove pointless laws that are damaging to cycling. There is no good reason to wear a helmet. It creates the wrong impression that cycling is a dangerous pastime. The safety benefits are debatable' date=' but negligible at best.

 

I find it ridiculous can be so militant about something as trivial as cycle helmets without taking the time to at least apply their minds.[/quote']

 

hmmmm... please wear a sign at the next race to point yourself out, so that we can all check out exactly how thick your skull is.  You must be a marvel of nature!  There are several other factors that need to be seen for confirmation:

 

1. Is your head empty?

2. If no, is it filled with saw-dust?

3. Did this lack of good sense suddenly appear or did you work on it your whole life?

4. Exactly what part of riding a bicycle at generally high speeds on surfaces that are often less than forgiving is not dangerous?  Surely it is our superior skills that keep us safe from harm?

 

I'm sure others can fill in some more tests and questions that need to be answered.  Of course, you could be attempting sarcasm at this constant debate.  In which case, I bid you good night as you chuckle at our "over-wrought" comments.

 

 

[Jamm]

The only thing I can agree with in this thread is that CSA should take a stand - and remove pointless laws that are damaging to cycling. There is no good reason to wear a helmet. It creates the wrong impression that cycling is a dangerous pastime. The safety benefits are debatable' date=' but negligible at best.

I find it ridiculous can be so militant about something as trivial as cycle helmets without taking the time to at least apply their minds.[/quote']

 

WTF? Do us all a favour and moderate yourself. I have never read a bigger load of Sh!t.

 

Oh and please save us the " I am playing devils advocate" excuse if that was your plan. - its old and tired.

 

Cycling is dangerous - fact!

[SwissVan]

The only thing I can agree with in this thread is that CSA should take a stand - and remove pointless laws that are damaging to cycling. There is no good reason to wear a helmet. It creates the wrong impression that cycling is a dangerous pastime. The safety benefits are debatable' date=' but negligible at best.

I find it ridiculous can be so militant about something as trivial as cycle helmets without taking the time to at least apply their minds.[/quote']

 

WTF? Do us all a favour and moderate yourself. I have never read a bigger load of Sh!t.

 

Oh and please save us the " I am playing devils advocate" excuse if that was your plan. - its old and tired.

 

Cycling is dangerous - fact!

 

 

Oh Linnega you knew this was going to happen hey???<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

Well you can tell how long some of these chaps have been on the Hub...helmet wearing is probably the 3rd most popular recurring argument

 

For those who weren?t around at the last round of debating, there have been various studies done on the benefits of wearing a cycle helmet, with some surprising results.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/5334208.stm

 

I do tend to agree with one thought?.

Linnega has definitely not slid across the road at 40kmh with his helmetless head scrapping the tar, or headbutted the pavement at slow speed (bicycle speed).....cause if he had he would be chirping a different tune now.

 

SwissVan2007-12-22 00:50:52

[Bionic man]

Don't like the idea of getting scalped, anyway, my helmet hides my bald patch. I stopped smoking the green stuff long ago, so need to preserve what cells are left. "I think therefore I am".

[Edition 507]

Tell you what, if Gary Beneke or any other 'influencial' cyclist puts his head in an oven and gases himself, I am certainly not going to feel the need to do the same. You can't force someone not to be stupid, but if you have half a brain yourself, you are not going to be influenced by their stupidity either, and quite frankly, it is not your problem anyway. 

[GreyOwl]

Ok, here's my 2c worth, for what its worth!!

 

I agree fully, that we as cyclists should always wear helmets when riding. Full stop.

 

If someone like Mr Beneke chooses not to wear a helmet, then he has no idea of just how big an influence he still has in the sport. I feel he should know better personally.

 

I do not want anyone to fall and injure themselves regardless of if they are wearing a helmet or not...but I have ridden without a helmet and crashed and it was the best lesson I could have recieved.

 

However, I do not agree that it is illegal to ride without a helmet. Maybe I am wrong, or just dont know the road laws that well...

 

To enforce a law like that, every black guy pedalling his bike to work in the morning would be required to own an ANSI Z90.4 approved helmet. There is no possible way our traffic police are going to enforce that, let alone even be bothered to check.

 

I have often seen police checking engine serial numbers, but I have yet to see a traffic cop checking the inside of a helmet for an ANSI sticker.

 

I understand the frustration of the point that was trying to be made, and I wish this was like the States and Oz where this is the case...because then us cyclists would actually stand a chance on the roads.

 

Fact is, nobody other than cyclists care about cyclists...and thats why we as cyclists should endeavour to always wear our helmets...

 

Remember...Its better to put a bucket on our brains, than to put our brains in a bucket.

[KlapperKnop]

Before passing judgement on Gary Beneke and company, how about first establishing whether it was him or not? Give him a call and ask him whether it was him in Durban without a helmet or get him to respond to the initial statement made here!!!

 

That would be fairest, I believe to Gary Beneke!!!

[GreyOwl]

Your right KK. Thats very important to remember...innocent until proven guilty...unless your Zuma...but we wont get into his helmet issues!

[KlapperKnop]

As far as I can recall, Zuma decided to ride without a helmet as long as he uses "FIT" energy drink? oh yes and as long as he takes a shower after his ride!!! KlapperKnop2007-12-22 01:39:46

[widget]

Yes, Porky, I couldnt have put it better myself and I studied langauge for years.

 

I am always amazed at how normal honest, people who shudder at the crime statistics in the country, feel its "okay" to go out daily and perpetuate traffic misdemenours on a regular basis, and then try and justify it in some obscure way like "we only do it before 6.30am, or we only jump the light if somebody hollers "safe", or my favourite, it wouldnt be much of a training ride if we stopped at every light, or Ill loose the bunch, or everybody else dos it, or, whatever!

 

Is it okay to steal a candy bar from the corner cafee because the chances of getting caught are less than a supermarket, with cameras, videos and security?

 

Of course not.! But its the same mentality.

 

That said I also believe in "Karma" or "The Rule Of Life" and its very simple

 

"What you give out, is exactly what you will get back".

 

So, if you choose to live a violent, arrogant, disrespectfull life, thats exactly how you will be treated, in a "violent, arrogant and disrespectfull" way. 

 

Think its silly and a load of hocus pocus.?

 

Try it next time you are out on the road, instead of scowling at the drivers, smile at them, wave to the pretty girl in the car next to you, stop at lights and put a foot down at stop streets, allow cars through before you, think happy thoughts, think safe thoughts, if the bunch jumps lights, ride on your own, obey the law, be respectfull and humble.

  

You will be surprised how others will treat you. Exactly as you have treated them!.

 

 

widget2007-12-22 01:50:03