Since joining the Cyclists' Touring Club (aka CTC), I (as with any members) keep getting e-mails from them once or twice a week with information about various cycling news. Well, the last e-mail I received mentioned that the British Medical Association (aka BMA) is pushing for legislation to make cycle helmet wearing (obviously just whilst cycling) compulsory. I know this is a great cause for debate and people can argue fairly viciously about it but here's my view on it (and probably the view of a lot of people, I would imagine):
My personal opinion is that I hope the law doesn't come to pass. Mostly, I do wear a cycle helmet when I'm out on my bike but I don't like wearing one in sunny weather. As I'm not going to put anyone (other than myself) at any prospectively greater risk by choosing not to wear a helmet, shouldn't it be my own choice? When it's hot and I'm climbing one of my category one climbs (aka 'a hillock' to most people), I overheat greatly if I've got a helmet on. It's fine for coming down hills as the airflow through the vents keeps me cool enough but it is extremely uncomfortable (and has made me feel rather faint on more than one occasion, which is liable to result in injury for me) when I'm puffing, panting and wheezing uphill.
I would guess it's not likely to be very stringently policed if helmet wearing does become compulsory but I would much rather not have to break the law to be comfortable on my bike. Additionally, if I am breaking the law by not wearing a helmet whilst cycling, I would
guess that would bugger up any prospective court cases for me if someone ran over the top of me, even if it wasn't related to head injuries.
Realistically, I can see why helmets could stop certain injuries but I think they find most use with children and people who ride off-road, where lower speed spills are more likely. For most collisions on the road, I can't imagine a helmet is going to make an awful lot of difference. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about this.
I'll go on wearing mine when it's not too hot and remove it when it's roasting for the time being and hope this law doesn't come into effect.
My personal opinion is that I hope the law doesn't come to pass. Mostly, I do wear a cycle helmet when I'm out on my bike but I don't like wearing one in sunny weather. As I'm not going to put anyone (other than myself) at any prospectively greater risk by choosing not to wear a helmet, shouldn't it be my own choice? When it's hot and I'm climbing one of my category one climbs (aka 'a hillock' to most people), I overheat greatly if I've got a helmet on. It's fine for coming down hills as the airflow through the vents keeps me cool enough but it is extremely uncomfortable (and has made me feel rather faint on more than one occasion, which is liable to result in injury for me) when I'm puffing, panting and wheezing uphill.
I would guess it's not likely to be very stringently policed if helmet wearing does become compulsory but I would much rather not have to break the law to be comfortable on my bike. Additionally, if I am breaking the law by not wearing a helmet whilst cycling, I would
guess that would bugger up any prospective court cases for me if someone ran over the top of me, even if it wasn't related to head injuries.
Realistically, I can see why helmets could stop certain injuries but I think they find most use with children and people who ride off-road, where lower speed spills are more likely. For most collisions on the road, I can't imagine a helmet is going to make an awful lot of difference. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about this.
I'll go on wearing mine when it's not too hot and remove it when it's roasting for the time being and hope this law doesn't come into effect.
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