Tonsil of the Day

[Grebel]

I was just about to post a quote from the RTA and it seems that there may be a loophole of sorts here.... Just looking at facts here.... comparing the helmet (Item 207 point 2) to the baby chair (Item 213) argument, it is a valid comparison as both are laws. If you disobey either one of them you are breaking the law.

 

The loophole comes here (Bold highlighted part),

 

"207. Compulsory wearing of protective helmet

(1) No person shall drive or be a passenger on a motor cycle, motor tricycle or a motor

quadrucycle, or be a passenger in the side-car attached to a motor cycle, on a public road, unless he or

she is wearing a protective helmet—

(a) which is specially designed for use in connection with such cycle; and

(B) which fits him or her properly and of which the chin strap is properly fastened under

the chin.

(2) After expiry of three years from the date of commencement of this regulation, no person

shall drive or be a passenger on a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is wearing a protective

helmet which fits him or her properly and of which the chin straps is properly fastened under the chin.

(3) Snip"

 

Personally, I'll wear my lid all the time.

[Joffter]

Runners frequently break 10kph, I think they should wear helmets as well. Also, the risk of drowning in swimming is extremely high, far higher than when not swimming, I propose mandatory waterwings for all swimmers. The reduction in comfort or function shouldn't overrule the need for safety.

Ever heard the Saying:"Stupid hurts" ?? It applies to this no helmet topic.

[Servetus]

But this doesn't refer to cyclists at all?

 

Is there a separate provision somewhere for cyclists to wear helmets?

 

I was just about to post a quote from the RTA and it seems that there may be a loophole of sorts here.... Just looking at facts here.... comparing the helmet (Item 207 point 2) to the baby chair (Item 213) argument, it is a valid comparison as both are laws. If you disobey either one of them you are breaking the law.

 

The loophole comes here (Bold highlighted part),

 

"207. Compulsory wearing of protective helmet

(1) No person shall drive or be a passenger on a motor cycle, motor tricycle or a motor

quadrucycle, or be a passenger in the side-car attached to a motor cycle, on a public road, unless he or

she is wearing a protective helmet—

(a) which is specially designed for use in connection with such cycle; and

( B) which fits him or her properly and of which the chin strap is properly fastened under

the chin.

(2) After expiry of three years from the date of commencement of this regulation, no person

shall drive or be a passenger on a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is wearing a protective

helmet which fits him or her properly and of which the chin straps is properly fastened under the chin.

(3) Snip"

 

Personally, I'll wear my lid all the time.

[Guest Karma]

But this doesn't refer to cyclists at all?

 

Is there a separate provision somewhere for cyclists to wear helmets?

 

(2) After expiry of three years from the date of commencement of this regulation, no person

shall drive or be a passenger on a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is wearing a protective

[Servetus]

(2) After expiry of three years from the date of commencement of this regulation, no person

shall drive or be a passenger on a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is wearing a protective

 

Very interesting, I was looking at a separate copy of the regulations which does not include subitem (2).

 

It seems I need to update my sources

[Joffter]

A good few years ago, probably around 2000-2002 there was a kid here in SA, who was a huge talent in Motocross, at the age of around 10-12 years old. Was head and shoulders better than anyone around in his age group. Really nice kid and family too. The kid had talent and was really going places. Bright future in the sport for sure, probably even at international level.

 

Anyway one day he was playing around with one of those small scooter things with skateboard wheels, and crashed, at walking pace. No Helmet, sustained a Head injury, leaving him with permanent brain damage. Poor guy has never ridden a motorcycle again for years, and now rides but as a very small shadow of his former self, as a result of a knock on the head from that small crash on the scooter. He is still nowhere near being a normal person.....True Story.

 

So to those out there who think riding without a helmet is a good idea, go for it, be my guest. Just don't do it anywhere where you can stuff things up for the rest of us who do wear our helmets.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Joffter

[DR ◣◢]

A good few years ago, probably around 2000-2002 there was a kid here in SA, who was a huge talent in Motocross, at the age of around 10-12 years old. Was head and shoulders better than anyone around in his age group. Really nice kid and family too. The kid had talent and was really going places. Bright future in the sport for sure, probably even at international level.

 

Anyway one day he was playing around with one of those small scooter things with skateboard wheels, and crashed, at walking pace. No Helmet, sustained a Head injury, leaving him with permanent brain damage. Poor guy has never ridden a motorcycle again for years, and now rides but as a very small shadow of his former self, as a result of a knock on the head from that small crash on the scooter. He is still nowhere near being a normal person.....True Story.

 

So to those out there who think riding without a helmet is a good idea, go for it, be my guest. Just don't do it anywhere where you can stuff things up for the rest of us who do wear our helmets.

 

Sounds like an urban legend. Source?

[Clinton - theCOW]

kinda like the guy i saw this morning that still had his karoo to coast number on his bike...toti !

 

I guess i'm a Tonsil then. I finished the Nissan Marathon, put my bike on my car, rushed home to shower, off to my cousin's memorial, rode with a friend the next morning at Northern Farms still with my dirty bike and number board. Who cares if you have your numberboard or timing chip (roadies) on your bike, does it really make that much of a difference as to how you should perceive somebody?

 

PS....i also rode my MTB on the road as my next event is a MTB stage race, i must be a double Tonsil

[Joffter]

Sounds like an urban legend. Source?

No Urban Legend at all. My oath. I race Motocross and so does my son who was a little younger than the kid at the time. Have both been racing for many years.

It really and truly did happen. I knew the kid and his parents, albeit not house friends but we would often chat at racing etc. Couple of kids innocently messing around with those small aluminium scooters with skateboard wheels. Who would have though something so simple and small could end up hurting a kid with such immense talent and skill on a motorcycle so much bigger and heavier. He was knocked out and lay on a steel plate unconcious in the heat of summer till the medics arrived. He sustained nasty burns from the hot steel plate as well.

Really Really tragic, even more so for the family as his younger sister was also severly imparied and in a wheelchair and unable to do much for herself. Not sure but i think her case was from birth.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Joffter

[Louis for real]

Did he have an elite number?

LOL no he had a green one.

[Pieter1]

A friend of mine snapped this gem in the gym. Let this be a example for you.

[SomeBloke]

A friend of mine snapped this gem in the gym. Let this be a example for you.

 

 

 

 

There's going to be an angry mob here when they see the guy in green isn't wearing a helmet.

['Dale]

A friend of mine snapped this gem in the gym. Let this be a example for you.

 

Why would she do that...

[Pieter1]

Mabey he is not taking spinning serious? Mabey she cycles to gym and just forgot to take it off?

[TopFuel]

Interestingly enough, I saw a guy in theatre today having a piece of his skull removed, to help deal with the injury due to a bike crash without a helmet. I refuse to ever be that person, hence I'll wear a helmet. At very least it'll improve my chances when the talent runs out.

 

But I agree with above sentiments, it is entirely your prerogative whether you want to wear a helmet or not. No one has the right to force you (unless park rules stipulate it - sorry bro). It's your noggin, if you don't wanna wear a helmet, that's fine by me. I just think its such a bad idea. Despite all the I'm riding at slow speed arguments, I still think a helmet is a requirement when riding a bike. Cause you just dunno when the talent/luck is going to run out.

[kosmonooit]

Thing is for no0bs - they feel kinda awkward wearing a helmet 1st time, yes for most of us its totally natural now, but initially one has to come around to it, for whatever reason.

 

Happened to a friend of mine who bought a mtb due to my encouragement, but ended up mostly being used for small shopping errands. Totally wasn't into head protection for aesthetic reasons. Then she had a fall after some sharp braking (not being used to the feel of disks), so narrowly missed cracking her head open on the curbstone. Lucky girl!

Edited September 25, 2013 by kosmonooit