Compulsory cycle helmets here in Jersey.

[legrandefromage]

I've never worn one and will only wear one if I ever enter a race.

Forcing under 18's to wear one is pretty nigh impossible to enforce after the age of about 15 because they will need proof of age and so on and so on

 

[Kestonian]

Presumably this is being introduced to reduce the cost of treating people with cycling-induced head injuries or line the pockets of the person who proposed it since they own a bike shop / helmet manufacturer (a bit tin foil hat, but it - allegedly - happened with cricket helmets for UK schools).

Interesting to see injury / death stats for Jersey and whether this has any affect. Additionally, I don't see the point of restricting to under 18s other than making it easier to pass the legislation.

Personally, I'd rather see anyone riding at night without lights poked in the eye with a sharp stick than force people to wear helmets, and I say that as a full-time helmet wearer.

 

[Andy R]

Hi folks.

I just wanted to gauge your opinions on the subject of compulsory cycle helmets.

And while we're at it, compulsory BELLS. You'd think that any goverment would have better things to do in these hard-up times, wouldn't you?

Apparently not :roll: :roll: Just more bullshit - compuslory this, compuslory that.

If you're bothered you can read about it here. As above, doesn't affect you lot in the UK of course.

 

[Easy_Rider]

Personally, I'd rather see anyone riding at night without lights poked in the eye with a sharp stick than force people to wear helmets, and I say that as a full-time helmet wearer.

I would have to agree with you there
There a couple of riders going down our lane quite regularly without lights, you just can't see them until your on top of them, and this is a 60mph unlit road! I even saw a Police car pass one of these bikes without stopping him to tell him of the dangers, i guess there isn't an on the spot fine for this so they can't be bothered, I was really shocked that they didn't :roll:
It's 4 flippin quid for a rear LED light in Sainspoo up the road :x

 

[Kestonian]

I regularly see guys out here on bikes with no lights, at night, going the wrong way up a 4 lane road ... on a bend.

Frightening.

I don't care who is at fault if there is a collision, someone is going to get hurt

 

[The Ken]

I might be bucking the trend but I like the idea that helmets for kids becomes compulsory, it gets rid of peer pressure not to wear one if everyone uses them and it is a good habit.

One of my kids likes to conform to what her friends do and none of them wear helmets, as a result she no longer likes riding her bike with them. pretty sad really. She is happy to come out as a family though.

Some kids don't have the confidence to buck "trends" and as a parent you fell you are alienating them if you make them stand out.
With safety issues the law helps - it really stopped the complaints with booster seats as my kids know when they can stop using them.

In Scotland (at least in the early 90's) there is(was) a £28 fixed fine for not having lights on a bike at night. but it doesn't stop people of all ages ignoring it up here.

 

[Geoff]

Pottering about the streets where its likely blunt force trauma will get you-if you honestly think its going to save you from chest crushing injuries from other taxi and bus sized road users,then whatever floats your boat

There's been a mandatory helmet law for ALL here since 1992 (I think). Bit of a lame idea if you ask me. I'd rather the govt spent money on education for both cyclists and drivers, and better cycling infrastructure, but that costs money. Helmet law to me says there's nothing better than a quick (cheap) gesture to say you're doing something, hey guys?

I always would wear my helmet on my commute anyway, but for pottering about at low speeds, why bother?

 

[BerthaPog]

In Scotland (at least in the early 90's) there is(was) a £28 fixed fine for not having lights on a bike at night. but it doesn't stop people of all ages ignoring it up here.

Which is part of the issue. What is the point of having a law that isn't enforced, and which could have un-intended consequences for all cyclists (the case of car insurnace company trying to get out of paying out a claim towards a cyclist who wasn't wearing a helmet)?

 

[Pickle]

Whatever the law decides, there will always be people that break it :roll:

I'm not fussed what happens really.

All I know is I have educated my kids to wear their helmets, even if messing about in the garden. Its second nature to them, much like putting their shoes on! As long as I know they're safe, thats all I'm worried about.