Kevin Hedahl

It should be important to remember that all of us at OBRA have developed a
very strong culture around wearing helmets. I can't remember the last time I
was on a ride with someone who wasn't wearing one.

There are significant portions of the cycling community that don't wear
helmets and would be seriously put off by being required to wear them. The
best answer to this isn't legislation. The best answer to this is by using
the same mechanism that has led to all of us wearing helmets every day, peer
pressure. It's the same reason I bitch at people who don't even bother to
slow down for stoplights and stopsigns.

/kevin

2008/2/26 C M :

> I think it's safe to say that most, if not all, of us in OBRA land are
> strongly in favor of wearing helemts and requiring others to do the same.
> The question is how do we get the word out to the policy makers ?
>
>
> On 2/26/08, Mark J. Ginsberg wrote:
> >
> > 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
> > markjginsberg@yahoo.com
> > 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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