Comments on: Bikes Are Traffic Not Targets http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/ The adventures, rants and ramblings of Ken & Sheldon, two guys who like to ride bikes. Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:29:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sheldon http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-2185 Sheldon Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:28:04 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-2185 ...and I meant to add, that's a really interesting take on cycling/vehicle interface - thinking just getting more bikes on the road will curb cyclist/vehicle accidents. I guess I can see that. But, still, more cyclists on the roads (with helmets) would be better :-] …and I meant to add, that’s a really interesting take on cycling/vehicle interface – thinking just getting more bikes on the road will curb cyclist/vehicle accidents. I guess I can see that. But, still, more cyclists on the roads (with helmets) would be better :-]

]]> By: Sheldon http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-2184 Sheldon Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:25:19 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-2184 @ Richard, Yeah, the idea of not wearing a helmet while riding literally makes me nervous. It makes no sense to me why you'd want to risk cracking your skull on pavement/concrete/tarmac, whatever... Ken and I were on a ride outside of Canmore a few years ago. Ken forgot his helmet and it was a solid 45 mins back home to get it, so we opted for him to ride without it. This was fine for a while, but once we started the downhill sections, we started trading off, beause neither of us were willing/able to ride fast on the downhill without the skid-bucket. I guess I'm conditioned. A funny aside, have you ever seen the Seinfeld bit about helmets where he wonders why we'd really want to protect the brains of those people who are too stupid to stop doing things that cause them to crack thier heads? Hilarious!haha... @ Richard,

Yeah, the idea of not wearing a helmet while riding literally makes me nervous. It makes no sense to me why you’d want to risk cracking your skull on pavement/concrete/tarmac, whatever…

Ken and I were on a ride outside of Canmore a few years ago. Ken forgot his helmet and it was a solid 45 mins back home to get it, so we opted for him to ride without it. This was fine for a while, but once we started the downhill sections, we started trading off, beause neither of us were willing/able to ride fast on the downhill without the skid-bucket.

I guess I’m conditioned.

A funny aside, have you ever seen the Seinfeld bit about helmets where he wonders why we’d really want to protect the brains of those people who are too stupid to stop doing things that cause them to crack thier heads? Hilarious!haha…

]]> By: Richard Mills http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-1811 Richard Mills Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:03:30 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-1811 As for the helmet debate, it's definitely a curious one ... Being from Australia where helmets are mandatory by law, I always wear one out of habit. I'm now living in the UK where they're optional. While I may not crash as often as Shelon, I have made the occasional unintentional use of my helmet, and so understand first hand the value of wearing one. The surprising thing here in the UK however, is that the main cycling body (who has a self interest in promoting the safety of cyclists) is officially against mandatory helmet use. Their argument is that by not forcing riders to wear helmets, it encourages more cyclists on the roads, making cyclists more visible and hence increasing car/truck drivers awareness of "us" - call it the safety in numbers approach. Can't say I agree with their position however, as when you do come off (and it will almost inevitably happen one day) you'll almost certainly be better off with a helmet on. What's also surprising is that on club rides here, there's always a few riders who insist on NOT wearing helmets ... now that's even stranger, as I'm sure anyone who's been on a group ride understands the increased chance of crashing when someone up front does something unexpected. Just thought I'd have my little rant, and test out the new Bikeridr 2.0 format :-) As for the helmet debate, it’s definitely a curious one …
Being from Australia where helmets are mandatory by law, I always wear one out of habit.
I’m now living in the UK where they’re optional. While I may not crash as often as Shelon, I have made the occasional unintentional use of my helmet, and so understand first hand the value of wearing one. The surprising thing here in the UK however, is that the main cycling body (who has a self interest in promoting the safety of cyclists) is officially against mandatory helmet use. Their argument is that by not forcing riders to wear helmets, it encourages more cyclists on the roads, making cyclists more visible and hence increasing car/truck drivers awareness of “us” – call it the safety in numbers approach. Can’t say I agree with their position however, as when you do come off (and it will almost inevitably happen one day) you’ll almost certainly be better off with a helmet on.
What’s also surprising is that on club rides here, there’s always a few riders who insist on NOT wearing helmets … now that’s even stranger, as I’m sure anyone who’s been on a group ride understands the increased chance of crashing when someone up front does something unexpected.
Just thought I’d have my little rant, and test out the new Bikeridr 2.0 format :-)

]]> By: Richard Mills http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-1810 Richard Mills Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:54:24 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-1810 Have you guys read about the success of the cycling network in Portland Oregon? The article this link points to lists some serious economic benefits that they're now able to measure after 20 years of investment http://www.ceosforcities.org/files/PGD%20FINAL.pdf A few other links that give some intersting background to the scheme in Portland : http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=44597 http://transportationhistory.blogspot.com/2006/11/bicycle-history-with-eye-on-portland.html Sounds like Edmonton could benefit from an approach like Portlands ..... Have you guys read about the success of the cycling network in Portland Oregon? The article this link points to lists some serious economic benefits that they’re now able to measure after 20 years of investment

http://www.ceosforcities.org/files/PGD%20FINAL.pdf

A few other links that give some intersting background to the scheme in Portland :
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=44597
http://transportationhistory.blogspot.com/2006/11/bicycle-history-with-eye-on-portland.html

Sounds like Edmonton could benefit from an approach like Portlands …..

]]> By: Ken Hurd http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-1415 Ken Hurd Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:33:33 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-1415 @Lighthouse – I definitely noticed a distinct lack of helmets when I was in Quebec. Obviously having officials with opinions like this one don't help the cause, but I wonder also if it's a side affect of a city having a history of cycling? (ie. We've been riding forever without helmets, why do we need them now?) Is gaining traction for helmets in cities new(er) to cycling is a little easier? @vfxken - I think (sadly) that attitude towards cycling mirrors many peoples' throughout North America. Even though I feel like cycling has been making great head roads throughout the past few years, we've still got a long way to go! @Lighthouse – I definitely noticed a distinct lack of helmets when I was in Quebec. Obviously having officials with opinions like this one don’t help the cause, but I wonder also if it’s a side affect of a city having a history of cycling? (ie. We’ve been riding forever without helmets, why do we need them now?) Is gaining traction for helmets in cities new(er) to cycling is a little easier?

@vfxken – I think (sadly) that attitude towards cycling mirrors many peoples’ throughout North America. Even though I feel like cycling has been making great head roads throughout the past few years, we’ve still got a long way to go!

]]> By: Lighthouse http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-1414 Lighthouse Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:09:03 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-1414 A Stats Can survey on helmet use came out a few weeks ago showing Quebec as the province with the worst helmet usage rates: http://www.montrealgazette.com/travel/Most+Quebec+cyclists+wear+helmets/3159126/story.html They interviewed the president of Velo-Quebec who is strongly opposed to any helmet laws. They feel it is a rider's right to decide to wear a helmet and do not want to discourage anyone from cycling. What I didn't like was in a CBC radio interview they asked her if she wore a helmet. Her answer was "No, I don't need to because I am a safe cyclist". I guess she feels that all bicycle accidents are the cyclists fault... A Stats Can survey on helmet use came out a few weeks ago showing Quebec as the province with the worst helmet usage rates: http://www.montrealgazette.com/travel/Most+Quebec+cyclists+wear+helmets/3159126/story.html

They interviewed the president of Velo-Quebec who is strongly opposed to any helmet laws. They feel it is a rider’s right to decide to wear a helmet and do not want to discourage anyone from cycling.

What I didn’t like was in a CBC radio interview they asked her if she wore a helmet. Her answer was “No, I don’t need to because I am a safe cyclist”. I guess she feels that all bicycle accidents are the cyclists fault…

]]> By: vfxken http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-1412 vfxken Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:31:43 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-1412 Just visited family in Idaho, who all know that I am an avid cyclist. I was warned to be careful when riding my bike there because "we run 'em over here." The feeling was the cyclists should not be getting in the way of automobiles and that they don't have a legal right to "impede traffic." Yes, I'm embarrassed for my otherwise pretty level headed family. I think that somehow one's car becomes tied to a driver's sense of self and ego, and we cyclists threaten them. It's just weird. Just visited family in Idaho, who all know that I am an avid cyclist. I was warned to be careful when riding my bike there because “we run ‘em over here.” The feeling was the cyclists should not be getting in the way of automobiles and that they don’t have a legal right to “impede traffic.” Yes, I’m embarrassed for my otherwise pretty level headed family. I think that somehow one’s car becomes tied to a driver’s sense of self and ego, and we cyclists threaten them. It’s just weird.

]]> By: Sheldon Smart http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-1395 Sheldon Smart Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:04:49 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-1395 It's funny you mention that. I mean, I feel strange without a helmet if I'm on a bike, but when I was in Paris, no one wore helmets. And they bike a lot, commuting, in traffic on narrow busy streets... Risky business if you ask me. It’s funny you mention that. I mean, I feel strange without a helmet if I’m on a bike, but when I was in Paris, no one wore helmets. And they bike a lot, commuting, in traffic on narrow busy streets… Risky business if you ask me.

]]> By: Ken Hurd http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-398 Ken Hurd Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:02:31 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-398 @Sheldon Man... If I had a dollar for everybody I talked to that doesn't think helmets are important I'd have a fair bit of cash. I find it really surprising too. @Sheldon Man… If I had a dollar for everybody I talked to that doesn’t think helmets are important I’d have a fair bit of cash. I find it really surprising too.

]]> By: Sheldon Smart http://blog.bikeridr.com/2009/08/bikes-are-traffic-not-targets/comment-page-1/#comment-397 Sheldon Smart Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:29:10 +0000 http://blog.bikeridr.com/?p=1865#comment-397 @ ken. Good read. I wonder why he thinks a helmet might not contribute to his safety though? I mean, being someone who crashes on a fairly regular basis myself, helmets are crucial. @ ken. Good read. I wonder why he thinks a helmet might not contribute to his safety though? I mean, being someone who crashes on a fairly regular basis myself, helmets are crucial.

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