Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Bud Bud
I voted I would start now and sometimes I would wear a helmet, but I was close to voting I would start riding now but never wear a helmet though.
Because, I would love to hop onto a bike and take a few back streets here and there (50 km limit now since I stopped riding) and onto a some of the great linear park bike tracks (that just did not exist when I was a kid) at a leisurely pace unrestricted by helmets (compulsory) or any other padded protection if I feel that it was safe to do so. I am at an age were just a stroll on a pushy would benefit more without the need to race others on roads up through gorges and other road racing environments etc. If I was into BMX I would wear the whole box and dice and also lf I was a 200 km endurance Sunday road warrior, (and especially with the attitudes of many drivers even on this forum) I would be well protected which would include a helmet etc.
But the reality is I just would like to hop onto bike and ride a k or 2 without fear of persecution from Mr Plod or even those on this forum. Hell I could even break an arm, or a leg and I know a head injury is much much worse but I could go through the same ordeal crossing the street. One poor fellow is aged 35 is now fighting for his life after being knocked down by a car in the Adelaide North East overnight. He has severe suspected head injuries, and he was just a pedestrian. Sometimes you need to be so so careful, and even helmets wont help those who are careless or even reckless anyway.
I respect your point of view Gecko GT and I knew from a very young age that I could not do what you do for a living. The world needs people like you. I just hope that your experience no matter how horrific dose not cloud you judgement to the point where in some cases, you think that some people are just not capable of making decisions based on their own safety.
Bud Bud
|
Completely see your view point and respect it. Just understand that some of the worse head injuries I have been to were a result of perceived "low risk" incidents. I have seen some spectacular helmet damage at speeds less than 30 km/h, which is not hard for even a casual rider to achieve on a moderate down hill section on any pathway. Sometimes it is not an inadequacy in ability to make up your own mind on the risk, it is a misperception of the risk.
By the way, I probably have greater understanding of peoples ability to make their own decisions, that is why when they put themselves at risk and hurt themselves, I do not lose any sleep over it, hell I even sometimes put my own safety at risk (ask Flappist about Hungry Corner at Lakeside Raceway). What I do though is when taking a risk by choice, I do reduce the possible consequences.