Show #53 – Great Rides & Stories
Jan 23rd, 2007 | By Fredcaster | Category: PodcastsListen now by clicking here: [audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/thefredcast/The_FredCast_53.mp3]
For The Week of January 22, 2007 (Part Deux)
IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK:
• Elmiger Wins Tour Down Under
• Truck Driver Will Not Be Charged in Death of 15-Year-Old Cyclist
• Salt Lake City Mayor Wants Mandatory Helmet Law
• Lance Armstrong Foundation Celebrates 10 Years
• Doping News (duh!)
• World Record Set in Indoor Pedaling
• Hyperbike: The NeXt Generation of Bicycles?
IN THIS WEEK’S FEATURES:
• Upcoming Rides/Events
• Shout Outs
PODSAFE CYCLING MUSIC:
• Remember the Stars by Nemesis
Show Notes: Available HERE
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In this weeks Podcast I heard you talking about helmet legislation. This is something that should not be made into law. It is one’s personal responsibility to be as safe as possible and to be an example to others.
This is not the government’s job.
Love the podcast.
Thanks,
Steve
Keller, TX
I agree with the sentiment. I wouldn’t dream of riding without a helmet, but mandated? Not so much.
My question here would be, would the police enforce the law? For the most part, I rarely see the police enforcing much with regard to cyclists (whether they are the victims or the breakers of the law), so I can only imagine it would be one of those laws that sits on the books and doesn’t actually do much. I’m in the education camp. Spend the money on signs and education programs.
There really is no excuse not to wear a helmet. Sure, you look like a dork. But, hey, you’d look a lot worse with your brains spilled out on the pavement. Plus, most communities offer helmets for drastic discounts (mine sell them for $7). They aren’t exactly pretty though.
I believe that if the helmet law can save one life, it
is worth it. When you were speaking of the family of
four with only the children in helmets, you mentioned
that your state had a helmet law for children under
18. If there were no such law, you may have seen the
entire family without helmets. Although the law may
not be enforced often, it will likely encourage
more people to choose to wear a helmet. I know that
when my children were growing up, I successfully used
the law to bolster my own “always wear a helmet” law.
They might not listen to mom, but they would listen
to the police. Unfortunately, not everyone is responsible enough to look out for their own safety, let alone the
safety of those who are under their care. That is why
I am in favor of such a law.
Thanks for the podcasts.
As far as setting a good example for children, this proposed law would go a long way towards that purpose. It’s one thing for a parent to make an ill-advised choice infront of their child, but willfully violating a law infront of their child? Maybe putting this kind of pressure will make a difference.
I disagree with the objection that it’s not the government’s place to tell us what to do, though. This isn’t Big Brother meddling in our affairs and taking away our autonomy. It’s simply an incentive, in this case the threat of a nominal penalty, for people to do something we all should be doing anyway.
At some point, it’s the responsibility of the government to protect people from themselves.