Mark J. Ginsberg
Michael,
I don't disagree, but folks who study these things have reached these conclusions.
as for kids and helmets, in Oregon it is 16 and under. ors 814.488, for those under 11 the adult gets the ticket, for those over 11, the kid gets the ticket.
Mark
Michael Benno wrote: Mark, that is a good point if the cost of a helmet was significant. However I would argue that point as being a barrier to owning a helmet.
New helmets are very affordable (under $40) and used helmets are essentially free. I did a quick scan of craigslist and found several helmets ranging in price from Free to $20 on the first page alone. At what price were you thinking helmets would no longer be a barrier?
Case in point: I had 4 excess helmets in my basement. These are all top line race helmets (Giro, Bell, Lima, Lazer) with all with retail prices over $90. I tried to sell them in craigslist for $10 each. No bites! I posted them on craigslist for free, again no bites! I put them on my curb and was only able to get rid of one (I live on a bike route).
Personally I think price is not a significant resitance to obtaining them. Let me remind you all that kids under 10 are required to have helmets for bikes, skateboards, scooters. So why not adults?
----- Original Message ----
From: Mark J. Ginsberg markjginsberg@yahoo.com
while it is not my personal view, the resistance to requiring helmets, is that for those who can't afford much, adding an additional requirement makes biking that much harder, and there are studies that show that measurable amounts of people won't bike if they must wear a helmet.
so while I wear my helmet religiously, for a person who is just getting started (who maybe needs a helmet the most), to force them to wear a helmet can mean they don't even start riding a bike.
Mark
Michael Benno wrote:
Personally, I applaud this effort and wish PDX would step up, as a leader in the bicycle movement, and do the same. I'm not a safety natzi or anything, but I just don't see the need to not require helmets. I have three I'd be willing to donate to the cause.
----- Original Message ----
From: "jon.ragsdale@comcast.net"
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 2:40:49 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Helmets will be mandatory in Vancouver, WA
There is a story on the front page of www.kgw.com reporting that Vancouver has enacted a rule that in 30 days all cyclists will be required to wear helmets. Full story: http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_022608_news_vancouver_helmet_law_bicycle.2edad9de.html
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Mark J. Ginsberg
Attorney At Law
1216 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 542-3000
Fax (503) 233-6874
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www.bikesafetylaw.com
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Mark J. Ginsberg
Attorney At Law
1216 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 542-3000
Fax (503) 233-6874
markjginsberg@yahoo.com
www.bikesafetylaw.com
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