Okay, I know I'll regret this, but can't resist posting this recent blog bit from the Guardian: "david cameron cycles without helmet".
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Three Cheers for Dave?
(31 posts)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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I'm with Roger
"The idea that it is somehow 'dangerous' and 'irresponsible' to cycle without a helmet is a total myth. It merely puts people off cycling and contributes to the increase in the level of obesity and other inactivity-related illnesses, which kill tens of thousands of people every year."
Posted 14 years ago # -
It does sometimes seem like the argument is shifting away from a presumption of helmet use (in culture, if not in law/insurance).
The problem really is that there's almost nothing to add to the debate. I suppose we could do with some more studies looking into Prof Walker's findings (that overtakes closer than 1m increase by 30% if you wear a helmet) but really, most people seem to have made their minds up one way or another.
A simple step we could push for is a reversal on the current ban on any official literature containing photos of normal looking cyclists. Perhaps it might be worth pointing out that our future PM couldn't be used to set an example for other top figures because of the government's own rules? :-)
Posted 14 years ago # -
"A simple step we could push for is a reversal on the current ban on any official literature containing photos of normal looking cyclists."
I know that there is something of a tendency for some organisations to use photos of people wearing helmets (esp children) but "current ban on any official literature" - are you referring to anything specific?
Posted 14 years ago # -
Sorry...
Should that not be
David Cameron cycles without policies?
Oh oh.. it's going all political. Fact is he knows he's being watched doing it.
I was more intrigued to find out which local politicians might use a bike.
- In tonight's EN there was only one occasional bike commuter out of 20 councillors polled.
Of course we have to take their declared means of transport with a pinch of salt.Posted 14 years ago # -
Laidback: Rather!
Posted 14 years ago # -
No I do realise we are talking about an important issue. Was down at children's cycle club last night and the helmet question always takes up a huge amount of time.
You have to properly fit helmets to make them worthwhile. Half the helmets you see worn by adults are at a rakish angle.Some of this forum only wear them to mount lights and headcams on! I wear one as my hair is thining out.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Half the helmets you see worn by adults are at a rakish angle."
Not sure about half for adults - certainly higher for children (and usually too loose.)
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Three Cheers for Dave"
We are talking about 'Dave' who posts on this forum(?)
Posted 14 years ago # -
OMG more helmet shennanigins.
I assume no one on this forum will vote tory (even if they are championing the libertarian cause of not wearing a helmet). Personally I am also in favour of Boots selling heroin in the libertarian tradition but I see this as a private matter rather than a campaign issue.
None of you do the Guardian crossword tho (or are willing to help me with the Bridgetown clue). This I find surprising.
Posted 14 years ago # -
You have to properly fit helmets to make them worthwhile.
By that I mean if we don't fit them we might get sacked!
Posted 14 years ago # -
"I assume no one on this forum will vote tory"
You may assume, you may be right (though I doubt it - In fact I hope not otherwise this forum is COMPLETELY unrepresentative!!!!!!)
P.s. I'm not inviting 'confessions' - there will be enough about voting over the next four weeks.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"By that I mean if we don't fit them we might get sacked!"
Even though I think I know what you are talking about, that's a curious statement.
Posted 14 years ago # -
the last tory died out in Scotland in 1997. alas, there have been some signs of life in the corpse. But the forum can be representative without tories. We have labour, libs, SNP, Green, SSP...
Posted 14 years ago # -
"the last tory died out in Scotland in 1997"
Clearly that is being economical with the truth.
I have seen Annabel Goldie on a bike - not sure if the same could be said for GBrown, ASalmond.
The only bike Robin Harper has been known to ride (in Edinburgh) was one of mine - in The Meadows for a photo-call (can't remember what for) - since stolen (no connection).
Other parties are available.
Posted 14 years ago # -
economical yes but no tories returned to westminster from Scotland in the 1992 election or close to then, I am quite confident of this.
Can you please warn me if you are going to mention Annabel Goldie? by saying Goldie alert (I like Goldie, esp when he conducts) but the words Annabel Goldie give me the boak.
I asked BBC Scotland to flash an alert before Jackie Bird comes on the telly, she is too orange for me, but they saw this as unreasonable.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I know Scottish tories of my own age. Always found it rather implausible, but....
Posted 14 years ago # -
"but they saw this as unreasonable."
You got a reply?!
Posted 14 years ago # -
SRD - yes totally implausible, but then so are tories in their twenties (I am assuming SRD in 30s). I always insult tories in their 20s when they are out canvassing - I say things like - go and take some drugs and have some fun and don't become a tory til you are at least 50. They tend to run away.
chdot - I made that Jackie Bird thing up the technical term is Gedanken Complaint
Posted 14 years ago # -
"economical yes but no tories returned to westminster from Scotland in the 1992 election or close to then, I am quite confident of this."
um
"9th April 1992
General election. Conservative government under John Major. MPs elected in Scotland: Labour 49, Conservative 11, Liberals 9, SNP 3. % of vote: Labour 39.0 %, Conservative 25.8 %, SNP 21.5 %, LibDem 12.9 %, others 0.8 %."
Labour regain Dunfermline West and Glasgow Govan from SNP.
Conservatives regain Kincardine & Deeside from LibDems.
Conservatives gain Aberdeen South from Labour.Posted 14 years ago # -
"I made that Jackie Bird thing up"
Why doesn't that surprise me?
Posted 14 years ago # -
"(I am assuming SRD in 30s)" Just. Which is why I think it so funny that chdot thinks I sh/could start a youth wing of Spokes.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Which is why I think it so funny that chdot thinks I sh/could start a youth wing of Spokes."
"Could" - clearly
"sh" - open question.
As for the age thing -
You've been to a Spokes meeting...
http://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/newsflash/you-are-as-young-as-you-feel (random Google)
Posted 14 years ago # -
chdot - something I read on the CTC forum I think. Although now I google for it specifically I can't find anything other than Cambridge, so perhaps it was referring to a local authority only.
Posted 14 years ago # -
if in 30s then definitely youth wing of spokes SRD
Chdot - what election led to no tories then? There were no tories at some point - was it 1997????
Posted 14 years ago # -
It was 1997 higgledy piggledy but no Tory in Merseyside or Wales either the Celtic Connection?
Table 6
Seats won by party in each region of Great Britain
Con Lab LDem SNP/PC Other
England 165 328 34 0 2
North East 1 28 1 0 0
North West 9 49 1 0 1
Merseyside 0 15 1 0 0
Yorkshire & The Humber 7 47 2 0 0
East Midlands 14 30 0 0 0
West Midlands 14 43 1 0 1
Eastern 33 22 1 0 0
London 11 57 6 0 0
South East 54 22 7 0 0
South West 22 15 14 0 0
Wales 0 34 2 4 0
Scotland 0 56 10 6 0
Great Britain 165 418 46 10 2Posted 14 years ago # -
chdot
- "By that I mean if we don't fit them we might get sacked!"
Even though I think I know what you are talking about, that's a curious statement.
In what way?
When you do cycle training it's expected that the 'h' word will come up. A friend of mine wanted to do cycle training in a city down south. He never wears an 'h' word. He didn't get the job after making his views on the 'h' word known.At LB people can please themselves. With recumbents you'd be better with elbow guards sometimes.
Posted 14 years ago # -
The kids around our estate have not an 'h' between them, and as yet none have had their heads explode like raw eggs (they're distressingly healthy, in fact). I do wonder whether any of them would bother at all if they were made to do so - and so, whether it makes any sense to go down that line at training time.
Still waters...
Posted 14 years ago # -
"In what way?"
Think I was focussing on the word "fit" - as in your responsibility to make sure they fit (properly) - 'or you're sacked'.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I wear a lid
I got a cheap oldskool 661 dirt lid a while back as it was a whole head cover as far as I could see and someone had pointed out the lovely vents in the modern ones could catch on the stones in road surface on an off and end up breaking your neck
that said I replaced the old 661 recently with a new revolution com lid as I won on of the "why I ride" competition entries and got printed in their mag
I don't think drivers take any notice of helmet and will drive close or not depending on one simple fact: do they cycle themselves? - I drive and I give loads of room but then I am aware of keeping an eye open of cyclistsPosted 14 years ago #
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