For a different viewpoint...

[AD345]

we go to our reporter on the scene.

The sacred cow of helmet wearing gets some knocks

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[dipshit]

Fuck I can't stand stupid retarded Americans.

[Taz]

Fuck I can't stand stupid retarded Americans.



Not like looking in a mirror is it?

[Jonathan]

I am with the retarded Americans on this one. YeeeHaw!

[Urano]

pretty funny, anyway, that in usa it's mandatory to wear goggles (if a bug enters your eye you can go and kill someone, so it is not your business only) but not to wear helmet.

this is one of the occasions in which intelligent people do something not because it's mandatory, but because it's right and smart to do it...
as soon as they pay for their hospital days... is their own business, so legally i can't disagree with them, but i can't consider so cool those who don't wear helmet and tech wear...

[Katman]

Interesting thought though.......

I wonder how much our situational awareness would improve and how much safer we'd all ride if helmets were outlawed.

:sherlock:

[rastuscat]

Yes, interesting concept.

The ACC law took away personal responsibility when it was introduced. You can be as stupid as you want and if you get injured the state will pay.

Then ACC decided to change the rules and target motorcyclists due to the fact that motorcycling is more risky.

In Oz I am aware of a state that doesn't cover your injuries if the safety gear isn't worn e.g. get a hand injury while motorcycling with no gloves and you'll have to pay for your own medical care.

That's what personal responsibility means.

Not sure how I feel about it.

[T.W.R]

Interesting thought though.......

I wonder how much our situational awareness would improve and how much safer we'd all ride if helmets were outlawed.

:sherlock:

about the same as when helmets were made law for motorcycles travelling over 30mph in 1955 and when it was made compulsory for both rider and pillion regardless of speed in 1973

[Transalper]

I'd wear my helmet whether the law said I should or not.
I'm one of those who thought I could do no wrong until I got caught out and the incident involved hitting my head on the ground.
I'd be living a very different life now or dead if it weren't for my helmet.
Helmets can save you a lot more suffering than they cause and that's the bottom line for me.

[Katman]

about the same as when helmets were made law for motorcycles travelling over 30mph in 1955 and when it was made compulsory for both rider and pillion regardless of speed in 1973

Not really the same though, is it?

In fact it's like........the opposite.

:weird:

[CookMySock]

I wonder how much our situational awareness would improve and how much safer we'd all ride if helmets were outlawed.Indeed, Steve. Consider also if insurance was suddenly banned. Would everyone be much more careful?

Safety nets just make us braver and mitigate the consequences. They don't necessarily make us safer.


Steve

[Headbanger]

Interesting thought though.......

I wonder how much our situational awareness would improve and how much safer we'd all ride if helmets were outlawed.

:sherlock:


The awareness of my situation would prompt me to wear a helmet.

Funny enough though, that very argument (people would take greater care as the risk of death is higher) has been put forward a number of times by pro-cheese cutter motorcyclists (or ex-motorcyclists) of course they top it up with the additional argument that bikes are dangerous so no matter what the hell happens its all good, and if you don't deliberately take the most dangerous action then your weak.

If they did indeed live according to this belief. they would be riding drag bikes,naked, on the wrong side of the road, This would of course result in a positive result, they wouldn't post retarded ideas on forums.


My belief is, If that course of action is more likely to result in death, then more people will go and get themselves killed. Pretty damn simple.

[Katman]

The fact is that, our greatest safety device (greater than all other safety devices put together) sits right between our ears.

Is a pity that so many haven't discovered theirs yet.

[CookMySock]

Is a pity that so many haven't discovered theirs yet.You can't fix the world Steve, and you'll only sacrifice yourself in trying to. If you are happy with your own situation then leave them to burn, it's not your heart attack.


Steve

[Katman]

You can't fix the world Steve, and you'll only sacrifice yourself in trying to. If you are happy with your own situation then leave them to burn, it's not your heart attack.


You still haven't got it yet, have you?

It does become our concern when the actions of idiots adversely impact on the rest of us.

[T.W.R]

Not really the same though, is it?

In fact it's like........the opposite.

:weird:

Actually if the sensory awareness is exposed to extremes it dulls :yes: coldness and air pressure and wind noise etc, exactly the same as someone who hasn't had to wear helmets then does, their limited senses are even more decreased by the muffling effect of the helmet.

Until the day helmets are designed to allow for an error in human design they're no more than gravel rash inhibitors and fancy weather protection. Land the wrong way wearing a helmet or not the neck is the weak link in the whole design and in some instances a helmet can increase the chance of neck damage or worse and absolutely no helmet can protect someone from having their head run over by another vehicle it still pops like a ripe tomato and a helmet just confines the dispersal of the contents.

[Katman]

Just in case anyone was retarded enough to think I was advocating not wearing helmets...........


..........I wasn't.

[tri boy]

Through last summer, I ocassionaly straped the helmet to the scrambler carrier and enjoyed a slow pootle on some back country gravel roads.
Sunnies are required, a neck scarf or similar if dust is an issue, and lip balm if you don't want wind burn.
Average speed would be about 50-60kmh.
No coppers out that way, and the benefit is full visibilty, and joe public actualy smile and wave. (helmets take the human factor away). Everyone should try it.MHO

[Old Steve]

I wear boots, armoured jacket, gloves and helmet EVERY time I get on my bike. I do feel exposed when just wearing jeans around town, I wear full biking trousers when going any distance or out of town. I couldn't imagine not wearing a helmet, I've only got one head so I'm protecting it. I'm 62 and I want to enjoy as much of my future as I can.

[sAsLEX]

I wonder how this guy would of viewed the situation

<img src=http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Everyone%20Else/images/charles-darwin.jpg>

[Headbanger]

Until the day helmets are designed to allow for an error in human design they're no more than gravel rash inhibitors and fancy weather protection. Land the wrong way wearing a helmet or not the neck is the weak link in the whole design and in some instances a helmet can increase the chance of neck damage or worse and absolutely no helmet can protect someone from having their head run over by another vehicle it still pops like a ripe tomato and a helmet just confines the dispersal of the contents.

I know a number of people who are alive due to their helmet taking the impact rather then their skull, they are much more effective then then just gravel rash inhibitors, even if your neck is the next weak spot.

I keep a crash helmet on my shelf, Its my crash helmet because I crashed with it on, The damage to it is obvious, And if my skull had taken that impact I'd be uglier and stupider then I currently am....And trust me, that's not what the world needs.

[breakaway]

Fuck em. I suggest we remove the compulsory helmet law in NZ too, and let the problem take care of itself. Modern day natural selection - evolution you can see.

[dipshit]

as soon as they pay for their hospital days... is their own business,

But ironically it's the very people that go on about "its my life and my body so I can do what I want", are also the very first people to put their hand out and start demanding their rights when it comes to the "nanny state" paying to fix them up again.

[specter]

Fuck em. I suggest we remove the compulsory helmet law in NZ too, and let the problem take care of itself. Modern day natural selection - evolution you can see.

wouldn't work in nz, because of acc paying for all the damage costs...... but yes whole heartedly agree with you
the only time i havnt worn FULL bike gear is when i first got my bike and could only afford helmet, jacket and gloves