My uneasy relationship with helmets - The Chainlink2024-03-29T15:03:15Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?feed=yes&xn_auth=noJust like back in the Spanish…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2570382010-11-05T16:54:15.367ZFar'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63https://thechainlink.org/profile/JamesBlackHeron
Just like back in the Spanish Inquisition, people have been coming up with "rational" reasons why they force other people to do things "for the good of society."<br />
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Stop before I have to put you in the comfy chair...<br />
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<cite>Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A257037&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment257037"><div>Yes, yes it could - used a ridiculous, ridiculous…</div>
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Just like back in the Spanish Inquisition, people have been coming up with "rational" reasons why they force other people to do things "for the good of society."<br />
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Stop before I have to put you in the comfy chair...<br />
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<cite>Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A257037&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment257037"><div>Yes, yes it could - used a ridiculous, ridiculous argument.<br/> <br/>
"I'm sorry, you legally need to wear this helmet."<br/>
"Why? You're concerned about my safety? Thank you! I appreciate that."<br/>
"No, we don't give a rat's ass about your safety. We just don't want an ambulance disrupting traffic to take you to the hospital."<br/>
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<cite>Jamais716 said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment257022"><div><br/> Traffic disruption could be used as an argument for the government imposing helmet laws.</div>
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</blockquote> Yes, yes it could - used a ri…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2570372010-11-05T16:41:41.422ZTank-Ridin' Ryanhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Tank
Yes, yes it could - used a ridiculous, ridiculous argument.<br />
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"I'm sorry, you legally need to wear this helmet."<br />
"Why? You're concerned about my safety? Thank you! I appreciate that."<br />
"No, we don't give a rat's ass about your safety. We just don't want an ambulance disrupting traffic to take you to the hospital."<br />
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<cite>Jamais716 said:…</cite>
Yes, yes it could - used a ridiculous, ridiculous argument.<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry, you legally need to wear this helmet."<br />
"Why? You're concerned about my safety? Thank you! I appreciate that."<br />
"No, we don't give a rat's ass about your safety. We just don't want an ambulance disrupting traffic to take you to the hospital."<br />
<br />
<cite>Jamais716 said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment257022"><div><br/> Traffic disruption could be used as an argument for the government imposing helmet laws.</div>
</blockquote> Probability. An action capabl…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2570232010-11-05T16:25:38.400ZMichael Perzhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/MichaelPerz
Probability. An action capable of producing a variety of outcomes, when repeated enough, will eventually yield one specific outcome.<br />
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<cite>Kent Hamilton said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256994"><div>Please expand on this thought.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Michael Perz said:…</cite></div>
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Probability. An action capable of producing a variety of outcomes, when repeated enough, will eventually yield one specific outcome.<br />
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<cite>Kent Hamilton said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256994"><div>Please expand on this thought.<br/> <br/>
<cite>Michael Perz said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256993"><div>Since this discussion has grown to encompass cycling habits and not just the efficacy of helmets, it's probably worth mentioning this again. One of the best things you can do to ensure your own safety while riding is to frequently change your routes to common destinations. Print that sentence and tape it to the inside of your helmet.</div>
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</blockquote> H3N3 said:
Good post. As s…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2570222010-11-05T16:24:37.973ZJamais716https://thechainlink.org/profile/jamais716
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<cite>H3N3 said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?x=1&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=8#2211490Comment256971"><div><br></br> <br></br> Good post. As someone who's specialized in brain injury rehabilitation, I tend to mention diapers before disruption to traffic.</div>
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Traffic disruption could be used as an argument for the government imposing helmet laws. Yes, we're all grownups and we should be able to do…
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<cite>H3N3 said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?x=1&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=8#2211490Comment256971"><div><br/> <br/>
Good post. As someone who's specialized in brain injury rehabilitation, I tend to mention diapers before disruption to traffic.</div>
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Traffic disruption could be used as an argument for the government imposing helmet laws. Yes, we're all grownups and we should be able to do whatever the hell we want as long as it doesn't affect other people. However, when those decisions can affect society (and traffic is a part of that), that may be something that warrants government regulation.<br />
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<cite>James Baum said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?x=1&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256979"><div>Back and neck braces are seen more often in the motorized 2-wheel safety community and are commonly used in racing today. I wonder why they are not yet pushed by the bicycle safety community or is Big Neckbrace not as heavily into donating large sacks of money to "Bicycle Safety" as Big Helmet is?<br/></div>
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I suspect it has more to do with the tradeoff between benefits and disadvantages. I've never seen those safety devices, but I suspect they are more cumbersome, heavy and expensive than a helmet. Those negative factors may outweigh the increased safety benefit. I agree that just changing th…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2570212010-11-05T16:22:08.760ZFar'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63https://thechainlink.org/profile/JamesBlackHeron
I agree that just changing the route isn't any guarantee of anything and the same thing can be done through just hyper-vigilance and paying attention to what is going on around them.<br />
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Some people are more likely to become complacent and be accident prone while others are just more observant and less likely to have their heads in the cloud. Not everyone is born equal in these respects unfortunately. We all know those people who are walking/riding/driving disaster zones and others who seem to go…
I agree that just changing the route isn't any guarantee of anything and the same thing can be done through just hyper-vigilance and paying attention to what is going on around them.<br />
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Some people are more likely to become complacent and be accident prone while others are just more observant and less likely to have their heads in the cloud. Not everyone is born equal in these respects unfortunately. We all know those people who are walking/riding/driving disaster zones and others who seem to go through their days living a "charmed" life. It isn't all luck.<br />
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I believe that one can be safe even with the same or similar route like you are doing.<br />
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Years ago I used to run a pet-sitting business with my X-wife up in Madison, I know all about that grind. I have great respect for people who are doing what you are doing. Good for you that you are doing your commute from job to job on the bicycle! One has to give you kudos for that.<br />
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<cite>Holly said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A257016&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment257016"><div>I'm not sure I can agree with this. I realize that there could be some truth to the notion that we go on "autopilot" when we take the same route over and over, however, taking the same route seems good for me. My commute has a lot of stops (I'm a dog walker) and I'm on a somewhat tight schedule. No one wants me to get to their house after 4 pm, so being on the same route allows me avoid anything unexpected--crossing a main arterial street, riding on a road that's full of potholes, dealing with riding through a school zone at 2:30--just for a few examples.<br/> <br/>
I've found that after years of riding the same roads every day of the week, I am more likely to *know* the road. I know where the potholes are, where the sight lines might be tricky, when there's a difficult intersection, when I have to encounter lots of kids after school, etc. It's sometimes a surprise when a road I usually take is being repaved but other than that, I can't say that there are many times when I'm zoned out on my bike. At least not while I'm actually moving.<br/>
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Complacency seems a lot more likely when I'm in the car. I have had cancellations on my dog walking route and I'll still drive as if I'm going to the client who canceled. For some reason, when I'm on my bike, this never happens. I always know where I'm going and I like knowing the route's going to basically stay the same. I've been tweaking it for years (because clients come and go) and when I do that it gets better all the time, too. <br/>
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</blockquote> Oh, but wait. This is about h…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2570202010-11-05T16:20:31.483ZHollyhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/HollyRhode
Oh, but wait. This is about helmet use. I don't have a problem with it being a mandatory requirement on a group ride.<br></br>
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After being on the L.A.T.E. ride with all those little kids and more than a few drunk people weaving around recklessly, I was pretty glad to know that less experienced riders were helmeted. (And some of the boozers, too.)<br></br>
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I guess I don't see how wearing a helmet on a group ride has any affect on the number of cyclists on the road if that's your point. I…
Oh, but wait. This is about helmet use. I don't have a problem with it being a mandatory requirement on a group ride.<br/>
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After being on the L.A.T.E. ride with all those little kids and more than a few drunk people weaving around recklessly, I was pretty glad to know that less experienced riders were helmeted. (And some of the boozers, too.)<br/>
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I guess I don't see how wearing a helmet on a group ride has any affect on the number of cyclists on the road if that's your point. I could be wrong, but I thought that's what you were originally trying to say. I'm not sure I can agree with…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2570162010-11-05T16:11:08.744ZHollyhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/HollyRhode
I'm not sure I can agree with this. I realize that there could be some truth to the notion that we go on "autopilot" when we take the same route over and over, however, taking the same route seems good for me. My commute has a lot of stops (I'm a dog walker) and I'm on a somewhat tight schedule. No one wants me to get to their house after 4 pm, so being on the same route allows me avoid anything unexpected--crossing a main arterial street, riding on a road that's full of potholes, dealing with…
I'm not sure I can agree with this. I realize that there could be some truth to the notion that we go on "autopilot" when we take the same route over and over, however, taking the same route seems good for me. My commute has a lot of stops (I'm a dog walker) and I'm on a somewhat tight schedule. No one wants me to get to their house after 4 pm, so being on the same route allows me avoid anything unexpected--crossing a main arterial street, riding on a road that's full of potholes, dealing with riding through a school zone at 2:30--just for a few examples.<br />
<br />
I've found that after years of riding the same roads every day of the week, I am more likely to *know* the road. I know where the potholes are, where the sight lines might be tricky, when there's a difficult intersection, when I have to encounter lots of kids after school, etc. It's sometimes a surprise when a road I usually take is being repaved but other than that, I can't say that there are many times when I'm zoned out on my bike. At least not while I'm actually moving.<br />
<br />
Complacency seems a lot more likely when I'm in the car. I have had cancellations on my dog walking route and I'll still drive as if I'm going to the client who canceled. For some reason, when I'm on my bike, this never happens. I always know where I'm going and I like knowing the route's going to basically stay the same. I've been tweaking it for years (because clients come and go) and when I do that it gets better all the time, too. <br/>
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<cite>James Baum said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256997"><div>Complacency...<br/> <br/>
Familiarity breed contempt.<br/>
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Most people tend to go into autopilot and aren't paying attention. They'd do themselves much more good by becoming more mindful about their surroundings and what is going on around them than relying on a security-blanket of limited utility like a flimsy bike helmet to get them through the inevitable crash as long as they have their helmeted-head in a the clouds believing they are safely ensconced in their magic force-field.<br/>
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Always be hyper-vigilant when out on the mean streets. Helmet or not they are extremely dangerous to everyone -even the pedestrians. Once one unplugs themselves from being aware it is only a matter of time before reality plugs you back into its cold embrace violently.<br/>
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<cite>Michael Perz said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A256993&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment256993"><div>Since this discussion has grown to encompass cycling habits and not just the efficacy of helmets, it's probably worth mentioning this again. One of the best things you can do to ensure your own safety while riding is to frequently change your routes to common destinations. Print that sentence and tape it to the inside of your helmet.</div>
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</blockquote> James, please lay off whateve…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2570002010-11-05T15:45:16.254ZTank-Ridin' Ryanhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Tank
James, please lay off whatever is causing you to be delusional about helmeted riders being delusional.<br />
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Thanks.<br />
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<cite>James Baum said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256997"><div>Complacency...<br></br> <br></br> Most people tend to go into autopilot and aren't paying attention. They'd do themselves much more good by becoming more mindful about their surroundings and what is going on…</div>
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James, please lay off whatever is causing you to be delusional about helmeted riders being delusional.<br />
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Thanks.<br />
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<cite>James Baum said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256997"><div>Complacency...<br/> <br/>
Most people tend to go into autopilot and aren't paying attention. They'd do themselves much more good by becoming more mindful about their surroundings and what is going on around them than relying on a security-blanket of limited utility like a flimsy bike helmet to get them through the inevitable crash as long as they have their helmeted-head in a the clouds believing they are safely ensconced in their magic force-field.<br/>
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<cite>Michael Perz said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A256993&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment256993"><div>Since this discussion has grown to encompass cycling habits and not just the efficacy of helmets, it's probably worth mentioning this again. One of the best things you can do to ensure your own safety while riding is to frequently change your routes to common destinations. Print that sentence and tape it to the inside of your helmet.</div>
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</blockquote> Complacency...
Familiarity b…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2569972010-11-05T15:32:43.921ZFar'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63https://thechainlink.org/profile/JamesBlackHeron
Complacency...<br />
<br />
Familiarity breed contempt.<br />
<br />
Most people tend to go into autopilot and aren't paying attention. They'd do themselves much more good by becoming more mindful about their surroundings and what is going on around them than relying on a security-blanket of limited utility like a flimsy bike helmet to get them through the inevitable crash as long as they have their helmeted-head in a the clouds believing they are safely ensconced in their magic force-field.<br />
<br />
Always be hyper-vigilant…
Complacency...<br />
<br />
Familiarity breed contempt.<br />
<br />
Most people tend to go into autopilot and aren't paying attention. They'd do themselves much more good by becoming more mindful about their surroundings and what is going on around them than relying on a security-blanket of limited utility like a flimsy bike helmet to get them through the inevitable crash as long as they have their helmeted-head in a the clouds believing they are safely ensconced in their magic force-field.<br />
<br />
Always be hyper-vigilant when out on the mean streets. Helmet or not they are extremely dangerous to everyone -even the pedestrians. Once one unplugs themselves from being aware it is only a matter of time before reality plugs you back into its cold embrace violently.<br />
<br />
<br/>
<br/>
<cite>Michael Perz said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A256993&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment256993"><div>Since this discussion has grown to encompass cycling habits and not just the efficacy of helmets, it's probably worth mentioning this again. One of the best things you can do to ensure your own safety while riding is to frequently change your routes to common destinations. Print that sentence and tape it to the inside of your helmet.</div>
</blockquote> Please expand on this thought…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-11-05:2211490:Comment:2569942010-11-05T15:27:41.433Zin it to win it 8.0 mihttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Skip
Please expand on this thought.<br />
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<cite>Michael Perz said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256993"><div>Since this discussion has grown to encompass cycling habits and not just the efficacy of helmets, it's probably worth mentioning this again. One of the best things you can do to ensure your own safety while riding is to frequently change your routes to common destinations.…</div>
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Please expand on this thought.<br />
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<cite>Michael Perz said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/my-uneasy-relationship-with?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A252952&page=9#2211490Comment256993"><div>Since this discussion has grown to encompass cycling habits and not just the efficacy of helmets, it's probably worth mentioning this again. One of the best things you can do to ensure your own safety while riding is to frequently change your routes to common destinations. Print that sentence and tape it to the inside of your helmet.</div>
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