On this morning

[elizasmart382]

On this morning there is an appeal from a father to make riding without a cycling helmet illegal after his 16 year old son is in a coma. Thoughts?

[ncmurphy1951]

how trajic whsat advice / thoughts would the father want

[bikerlifestyle]

I think children should always wear a helmet whilst on a bike and any under 18 should be compulsory,

Although realistically they could never enforce it properly

I never agreed with the compulsory helmet law for motorcycles although I would be dead now if it weren't for my helmet and still think it should be an individuals choice I am pro helmet I just think a person should be able to choose, bikers know the risks, well most of the proper bikers and motorcyclists do, I can't speak for the chav scum on their nicked scooters, but then they don't wear helmets anyway so nothing would change

I think as an adult you should be able to choose your level of risk.

After my accident I had a trike, and you don't have to wear a helmet on strike, but I did, everywhere, even a local run, but that was my choice

Simple answer is that yes it should be compulsory for children but then is the cut off age 16 or 18 and I see no way of enforcing it.

[christophee]

I truly sympathise with this guy. However helmets will never be a complete protection - I received a head injury (and VP shunt fitting) after being knocked from my Bicycle - I wasn't wearing a helmet, but I was told on medical opinion during my recuperation that if I had been wearing one, the way that I landed may still have caused the head injury. Unfortunately, it is 'six of one and half a dozen of the other' - Ideally a helmet will always be worn and will always provide 100% protection, but it should be left to personal choice and not forced onto people legally so that it ends up being another tool for the state to control citizens.

[ncmurphy1951]

after the success i ad with my petition through change.org i suggest trying this id sign it search change.org

[Hidden]

I think they should at least make it compulsory to sell a bike with a helmet then it's up to the individual or the parents to enforce. What do people think of this idea?

[bikerlifestyle in reply to Hidden]

that is a good idea indeed

[christophee in reply to Hidden]

Excellent idea

[TwoCakes in reply to christophee]

Ooh the crash helmet debate....raise this in cycling circles and it all gets very heated indeed!

For me any compulsion to wear a cycling crash helmet will overall reduce numbers of people cycling which will have a general negative effect on the health of the nation. Crash helmets do not guarantee a healthy brain and skull in the event of a crash and many people wear them incorrectly fitted. I have noticed that I unwittingly ride faster when wearing one (and then wittingly slow down!)

But when you look at the individual impact and when I look at the life change that B has experienced I use the risk assessment method I employ at work: tiny likelihood of risk x severity of risk = crash helmet is a sensible control measure. I still don't agree with legal compulsion but education yes.

[elizasmart382 in reply to Hidden]

This is an excellent idea

[Flumptious]

I fell off my bike in 2005, *with* a helmet on. If I hadn't had that helmet on, I would certainly be dead. As it is, I spent weeks in a coma, and 18 months off work. We HAVE to wear cycling helmets! my husband is a really keen cyclist, but he would never dream of cycling without a helmet (and I wouldn't let him!).

[elizasmart382]

The lad has been improving with rehabilitation search for the Ryan smith foundation on the web or facebook