Eglu Go With 2m Run For Sale

[Ain't Nobody Here]

* CLICK *

[bluekarin]

Oh dear! Darwinism in action me thinks

[snowberry]

Helmets save lives, it's a no-brainer...

[Tiggy]

Oh dear! Darwinism in action me thinks

 

shouldnt laugh

[Chucky Mama]

Oh dear! Darwinism in action me thinks

 

shouldnt laugh

[newcountrygirl]

Helmets do save lives and I agree that it makes sense. However, as a biker - and proud member of the Motorcycle Action Group I still believe it should be choice not forced by law. Every year we commemorate a guy called Fred Hill who died in prison in his 70's for refusing to wear a helmet whilst riding, and was subsequently jailed. His argument was that it should be the riders decision. He wasn't against the wearing of helmets only the laws and powers that be making decisions for you. You may have seen on tv recently that 100,000 bikers paralysed France for the day with a mass protest against laws they were trying to bring in . MAG is currently campaigning against the compulsory wearing of dayglo jackets and there is documented evidence that this does not make people see a motorcycle any better than if they are not wearing one, but if it is brought in in Europe then the uk will be next. Most bikers are sensible riders and value their motorcycles too much to take silly risks. Unfortunately it is quite often the other few percent of bikers who speed and carry out stupid stunts that cause the accidents. Sorry for the rant!

[snowberry]

I believe that people should have choice over most things; however, what about the paramedics & police who have to attend the scene & clear up the mess. The hospitals & rehabilitation centres that have to help people rebuild their lives after a brain injury? The families that have to act as full time carers for the rest of that person's life?

 

A friend of mine is a full time carer to her sister who didn't wear a seatbelt; her daughter has been adopted into another family.

 

One thing that I do think would make people more aware of bikers is that everyone (who are able), is them have a probationary period as a biker (even on a moped) before they drive a car; it makes yu much more aware of other road users.

 

And yes, I used to be a biker

[Sam]

I don't get it, why would people choose not to wear a helmet if it could potentially save your life? Shouldn't it be like wearing a seat belt? Not looking for an argument, just curious

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I don't get it, why would people choose not to wear a helmet if it could potentially save your life?

 

That's the way I look at it .

[bluekarin]

I don't get it, why would people choose not to wear a helmet if it could potentially save your life? Shouldn't it be like wearing a seat belt? Not looking for an argument, just curious

 

I agree. I remember when you didn't need to wear seatbelts in the car. Now it feels weird if I don't wear one. I also can't see why wearing a dayglo jacket wouldn't make you more visible? I'm a bit confused on that point. My sister and her hubby run a motorbike shop here, and when he is on his bike or scooter, he wears bright stuff and is protected up to the nines.

[Woodcat]

A clear example of exactly why you should wear a helmet. If there is an accident and a someone dies in this way they are dead but any other driver involved has to live with their part in it be it their fault or not. There are too many fools out there not to legislate that sort of basic road safety.

[Seagazer]

It is so sad but silly. Why oh why would you not wear a helmet on a motorbike. Speaking as a pillion rider I always wear full protection- textile trousers and jacket, gloves and proper bike boots. Its just not worth taking a risk. You are so vulnerable on a motorbike.

 

I also agree that its not fair to the people who have to pick up the pieces (often literally) if there has been an accident.

[WarrensWorld]

I think they call it Karma.

 

Over here we call motorcyclists organ doners. I do however wear a helmet when I'm riding my bicycle.

[sadietoo]

My first husband was killed in a motorbike accident. IMO they are dangerous enough without taking the additional risk of not wearing a helmet!

[Paola]

I believe that people should have choice over most things; however, what about the paramedics & police who have to attend the scene & clear up the mess. The hospitals & rehabilitation centres that have to help people rebuild their lives after a brain injury? The families that have to act as full time carers for the rest of that person's life

 

This was my first thought also.

 

Why would you ride a motorbike that is capable of doing speeds of 150mph + and not wear a helmet? Its suicide

[newcountrygirl]

I think people are missing the point. I am not and neither do MAG condone not wearing a helmet All bikers have to by law when riding a motorcycle. Incidentally - Trikers do not have to wear a helmet. What MAG is saying is that people should have freedom of choice not just about helmets but about everything they do. It is a proven fact that wearing dayglo does not make car drivers see motorcycles. Neither does a headlight in daytime. They simply do not see motorcycles. I agree that people taking their driving test should have to spend time on a bike before they are allowed to drive cars on the roads. They would certainly be more aware. I also agree that other people have to pick up the pieces caused by accidents - however - in the case of an awful lot of motorcycle accidents the rider was not speeding or overtaking - it was a car driver who simply didnt observe them. I can tell you that we were stationary at a roundabout when an old man in the car behind simply didnt stop and shunted us into the middle of the road. The bike we were on was a huge thing and he still didnt see us! What about horseriders - The Queen as an example - she wears a headscarf.

[majorbloodnock]

I don't get it, why would people choose not to wear a helmet if it could potentially save your life? Shouldn't it be like wearing a seat belt? Not looking for an argument, just curious

 

They're not quite the same, though. On a motorbike, your safety is far more affected by other road users' mistakes than if you're in a car, and you're inherently more vulnerable. Wearing a helmet makes a lot of sense. In a car, though, you are cocooned, comfortable and warm, giving a false sense of security. Wearing a seatbelt can make you feel safer still, and there is a statistically provable phenomenon of "risk compensation" that shows that the safer a driver feels, the more risks he or she is willing to take. It's quite a while since I last read a particular statistical article, but it showed that the introduction of seatbelts had the following effects:

1. Percentage of car driver and passenger fatalities in road traffic accidents was reduced.
   
2. Percentage of fatalities amongst other road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, horse riders etc.) went up.
   
3. The overall percentage of fatalities and serious injuries amongst all affected by road traffic accidents increased.

Though it's not immediately obvious, the law on wearing seatbelts actually made roads less safe. Sometimes common sense isn't what you might think.

 

I mention all this not to say that motorcyclists should wear helmets, but to underline that legislation isn't always the best course of action. Personally, I think all bikers should wear helmets, leathers, spinal armour and so on, but I'm still loath to want to see it written in law, and I think seat belt use should also be optional. Both of these should be backed up by easily accessible unbiased information on the effects of choosing to use these safety aids or not so that people can make informed decisions.

 

Just my two penn'orth

[newcountrygirl]

Thank you major bloodnock - that is exactly what i am saying.

[Sam]

Thanks for clearing that up, I really wouldn't have thought that about seat belts

I agree though Major, if I had a bike I would definitely be wearing all of the safety gear.