Bicycle helmets Are they mandatory in Europe?

Let is be knownst that on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:48:26 GMT,
writted:

On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:23:42 +0100, Martin wrote:

On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:02:28 GMT, wrote:

Here in Canada it is mandatory to wear a bicycle helmet. (only when
riding a bike of course).

Is this the case in the European countries?

Do different countries have different requirements?

I always wear one when riding in Canada but for the very limited
riding we will do in Europe, they are a bit of a large item to carry
in my luggage.

You could wear it on your head. There is nothing about not wearing cycling
helmets in planes in the terms and conditions. Nothing to stop you taking it off
once onboard.


Ha! Good suggestion Martin! However, with the security paranoia that
exists today, they could arrest me for looking funny. Funnier than
usual that is.

I still want to know the legal position on helmets in Europe. Last
time we were there, it was not an issue and we saw very few helmets.
That was several years ago.

Things haven't changed in this regard.
--
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DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
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Let is be knownst that on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:58:53 GMT, Mary Pegg
writted:

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

Forget the legal requirements, and think about your personal
well-being. Wear one. If you are hiring a bike, you can probably hire
a helmet. If you don't care to, or none is available for hire, buy
one. When you are finished, find a bare-headed kid on a bike and give
it to him or her.

Phooey. There's plenty of evidence that says they don't help (overall).

Yeah, great. Show us the evidence that protective helmets don't
protect.
--
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DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
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On Feb 21, 2:23 pm, Martin wrote:
On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:02:28 GMT, wrote:
Here in Canada it is mandatory to wear a bicycle helmet. (only when
riding a bike of course).

Is this the case in the European countries?

Do different countries have different requirements?

I always wear one when riding in Canada but for the very limited
riding we will do in Europe, they are a bit of a large item to carry
in my luggage.

You could wear it on your head. There is nothing about not wearing cycling
helmets in planes in the terms and conditions. Nothing to stop you taking it off
once onboard.
--

Martin

Security people will make him take it off going through airport
lines.

Martin wrote:

On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:58:53 GMT, Mary Pegg wrote:

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

Forget the legal requirements, and think about your personal
well-being. Wear one. If you are hiring a bike, you can probably hire
a helmet. If you don't care to, or none is available for hire, buy
one. When you are finished, find a bare-headed kid on a bike and give
it to him or her.

Phooey. There's plenty of evidence that says they don't help (overall).

I've seen evidence of at least one helmet, that saved somebody from
cracking his skull on the edge of a curb stone.

Sample of one. I said "overall".

This is one of these things that has been thrashed to death on various
newsgroups - so shall we leave it at that?

--
"Checking identity papers is a complete waste of time. If anyone can
be counted on to have valid papers, it will be the terrorists".

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

I'll settle for anecdotal evidence:

I prefer statistics, peer-reviewed academic research and
rational risk appraisal. But hey, each to his own, vive
la difference, etc.

Maybe in some cultures cyclists without helmets are
viewed as roadkill-in-waiting, but in the UK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/5334208.stm

--
"Checking identity papers is a complete waste of time. If anyone can
be counted on to have valid papers, it will be the terrorists".

Deeply Filled Mortician wrote:

Let is be knownst that on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:58:53 GMT, Mary Pegg
writted:

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

Forget the legal requirements, and think about your personal
well-being. Wear one. If you are hiring a bike, you can probably hire
a helmet. If you don't care to, or none is available for hire, buy
one. When you are finished, find a bare-headed kid on a bike and give
it to him or her.

Phooey. There's plenty of evidence that says they don't help (overall).

Yeah, great. Show us the evidence that protective helmets don't
protect.

The thing is not getting into a cranial-pavement interface situation
in the first place. Helmets don't help; if anything they make it
more likely:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle...risk_of_injury

--
"Checking identity papers is a complete waste of time. If anyone can
be counted on to have valid papers, it will be the terrorists".

PeterL wrote:

Security people will make him take it off going through airport
lines.

Hat protocol in airports is quite simple. As you step through
the metal detector hoop, raise your hat and show the inside of
it to the officer with the handheld detector waiting to greet
you. Make eye contact. Put your hat back and carry on.

--
"Checking identity papers is a complete waste of time. If anyone can
be counted on to have valid papers, it will be the terrorists".

Mary Pegg wrote:

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

I'll settle for anecdotal evidence:

I prefer statistics, peer-reviewed academic research and
rational risk appraisal. But hey, each to his own, vive
la difference, etc.

You didn't give any of that, and I have access to anecdotal evidence
which I prefer over unsubstantiated assertion, which is all that you
did give.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

Mary Pegg wrote:

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

I'll settle for anecdotal evidence:

I prefer statistics, peer-reviewed academic research and
rational risk appraisal. But hey, each to his own, vive
la difference, etc.

You didn't give any of that, and I have access to anecdotal evidence
which I prefer over unsubstantiated assertion, which is all that you
did give.

No, I gave you this link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/5334208.stm
which contains both anecdote:
"Dr Ian Walker was struck by a bus and a lorry during the experiment.
He was wearing a helmet both times."
and also real research:
"drivers were twice as likely to get close to the bicycle, at an
average of 8.5cm, when he wore a helmet."
in the first five short paragraphs.

I suspect you'll find the full data in this paper:
Walker, I. (2007). Drivers overtaking bicyclists: Objective data on the
effects of riding position, helmet use, vehicle type and apparent gender.
Accident Analysis and Prevention, 39, 417-425.

But really, this one has been thrashed to death all over Usenet.

I'm quite happy for you to wear a helmet - just respect other people's
decision not to.

--
"Checking identity papers is a complete waste of time. If anyone can
be counted on to have valid papers, it will be the terrorists".

Mary Pegg wrote:

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

Mary Pegg wrote:

Padraig Breathnach wrote:

I'll settle for anecdotal evidence:

I prefer statistics, peer-reviewed academic research and
rational risk appraisal. But hey, each to his own, vive
la difference, etc.

You didn't give any of that, and I have access to anecdotal evidence
which I prefer over unsubstantiated assertion, which is all that you
did give.

No, I gave you this link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/5334208.stm
which contains both anecdote:
"Dr Ian Walker was struck by a bus and a lorry during the experiment.
He was wearing a helmet both times."
and also real research:
"drivers were twice as likely to get close to the bicycle, at an
average of 8.5cm, when he wore a helmet."
in the first five short paragraphs.

You gave the link after I had expressed a preference for anecdotal
evidence over assertion.

It covers limited aspects of the issue. I see that you gave a
Wikipedia link to DFM which, to me, seems inconclusive (indeed,
incomplete).

But really, this one has been thrashed to death all over Usenet.

I don't range all over usenet.

I'm quite happy for you to wear a helmet - just respect other people's
decision not to.

I don't wear a helmet, as I don't cycle.

People are free to make their own choices in many things, and I
respect that freedom. But if, by direct question or by other means,
they invite my opinion on how they exercise their freedom, then I will
exercise one of my freedoms and say what I think.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/