Helmet laws discourage youth cycling
Claude
ABSTRACT
Over 20 states have adopted laws requiring youths to wear a helmet when
riding a bicycle. We
confirm previous research indicating that these laws reduced fatalities and
increased helmet use,
but we also show that the laws significantly reduced youth bicycling........
Our results highlight important
intended and unintended consequences of a well-intentioned public policy.
Jack Russell
--
Remove norubbish to reply
Claude
"Jack Russell" <ja...@norubbish.tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:4B5665C...@norubbish.tpg.com.au...
> From the country that will not make seat belts compulsory in cars!
Your point being?
Jack Russell
Seat belts save a huge number of lives and do not put people off car
travel. So why not make it compulsory.
Compulsory helmet wearing does put people off cycling so should not
exist in any state or country. The BMA has repeatedly said that cycling
saves lives through improved health and that is the best reason for not
having compulsory helmet wearing.
I have worn helmets for 30 years but still do not believe they should be
compulsory ( I am a bit ambivalent about whether they should be
compulsory for minors however).
Claude
> The BMA has repeatedly said that cycling saves lives through improved
> health and that is the best reason for not having compulsory helmet
> wearing. I have worn helmets for 30 years but still do not believe they
> should be compulsory ( I am a bit ambivalent about whether they should be
> compulsory for minors however).
>
Of course, it's a big assumption that people who are put off cycling by
compulsory helmet requirements don't take up some alternative activity that
improves health by a comparable amount. Young people in particular would
have many other options.
Jack Russell
(including the UK) older people cycle to the shops, pub, etc. There is
no doubt in my mind after talking to these people that they would not
cycle if forced to wear a helmet.
Claude
>>
>>
> I do not think it is a big assumption. In most European countries
> (including the UK) older people cycle to the shops, pub, etc. There is no
> doubt in my mind after talking to these people that they would not cycle
> if forced to wear a helmet.
>
Yes, but presumably they'd get health benefits from walking to the pub
instead
Jack Russell
Anyway, let us agree to differ on this
Claude
> Anyway, let us agree to differ on this
>
> --
Hey, I'm on holidays, I've got time on my hands! :-)
Claude
> Anyway, let us agree to differ on this
>
> --
Forgot to mention that I don't really have strong views one way or another
on this. I'm primarily interested in seeing whatever evidence there is for
the respective POVs. More of a scientific interest really.
Jack Russell
TimC
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> Of course, it's a big assumption that people who are put off cycling by
> compulsory helmet requirements don't take up some alternative activity that
> improves health by a comparable amount. Young people in particular would
> have many other options.
Wii bicycle riding? I don't think it would catch on.
--
TimC
You really need a dual GHz G4 to fully harness the power of cowsay.
-- Matt McIrvin
John Tserkezis
> Wii bicycle riding? I don't think it would catch on.
Why? The fitness thing is catching on. And all you're doing is
throwing around a wireless handset.