Incoming NYPD chief, de Blasio weigh
in on bike helmet laws
by
David Meyer
Original Article
Posted By: mc squared,
11/8/2019 11:08:19 AM
The day after a federal panel called on states to require cyclists wear helmets, New York City’s incoming police chief called it “logical” — while Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed some skepticism. “It certainly seems like a logical conclusion to me,” NYPD commissioner-to-be Dermot Shea said of the recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board. “Probably some more work to do on it, but if there’s a simple way — and I’m not saying it’s simple — but if there’s a simple step than can be put in place that could potential save lives, it certainly should be explored.”
Reply 1 - Posted by:
lazlototh 11/8/2019 11:14:44 AM (No. 230105)
I am so torn on these issues. I once came home from a bike ride in NYC and called my kids in to show them my broken helmet that resulted from a bad event, and said "imagine if this had been my skull." I stopped NYC bike riding a few years ago for other reasons. But not wearing a helmet when you bike is beyond stupid, even if I grew up without using one when I rode as a kid. New York requires motorcyclists to wear helmets; CT does not (hard to believe when CT regulates all other behavior so enthusiastically).
And yet, and yet, and yet,.....I recognize the right of grownups to take even stupid risks with themselves so I end up opposing helmet laws. And yet, and yet, and yet,....any time I see someone without a helmet I want to scream at them.
In NYC though it's not about safety - it's looking for yet another way to harass people for existing - one of the main reasons the city no longer appeals to me.
13 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
bldrrepub 11/8/2019 11:19:39 AM (No. 230108)
Attacks on Hasidim in Brooklyn, increasing property crimes, addicts leaving needles in schoolyards, homeless sleeping on trains.....
...and this is the discussion?
17 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
DVC 11/8/2019 11:21:06 AM (No. 230112)
I absolutely won't ride my bike or my motorcycle without a helmet, not ever. My wife's life was saved by her bicycle helmet when she was knocked over at low speed by a huge dog. Knocked unconscious and bleeding badly from a head wound, she was taken to the hospital by ambulance, still unconsious, hospitalized for several hours until her vision returned, had some staples, but was OK the next day.
All that said, you should be free to be a fool and not wear a helmet. You won't harm someone else by not having a helmet on.
5 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
zephyrgirl 11/8/2019 11:32:38 AM (No. 230128)
NYC is slowly declining into anarchy, with police being attacked and taunted every day in certain neighborhoods, and bike helmets are a pressing issue???? Liberalism is insanity.
14 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
Skeptical1 11/8/2019 11:42:25 AM (No. 230137)
This progressive idea is somewhat at odds with the progressive idea of bike sharing. (If bike sharing is still a thing. It disappeared from my town.) I suppose the helmet could attach to the bike, and we could all carry our own personal helmet liner. That would work. Watch for it!
1 person likes this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
jacksin5 11/8/2019 11:46:18 AM (No. 230142)
Like everything else the Government mandates there will be fines if you do not comply. Also it allows Police just another reason to stop and question people. If you decide to ride bicycles in an urban environment weaving in and out of automobile traffic. wearing protection is a real good idea.
But seeing as there can't even be consensus in all 50 states on wearing protective clothing, including helmets on motorcycles, good luck getting this law to fly.
2 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
jimincalif 11/8/2019 12:10:56 PM (No. 230171)
I ride - a lot - and I always wear a helmet. But more laws? Just gives them another reason to write tickets citing people who can pay fines while leaving the real problems untouched. Here in Calif kids under 18 can be cited for no helmet (their parents have the money to pay the fine), but homeless bums pooping and shooting up in public is tolerated and becoming accepted.
8 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
Clinger 11/8/2019 12:12:23 PM (No. 230174)
I am not the least conflicted. I see no constitutional authority for government to protect me from myself. Heading down that path opens the door to the total loss of individual liberty. Yes that level of liberty comes with a price tag but nothing can possibly come close to the price tag of surrendering to a government that makes every decision for you. That should be our greatest fear, history tells us so.
On a slight tangent, I'm not prone to stick my nose in anybody else's business but I made an exception once. A little girl was on her bike with training wheels wearing full body armor, helmet, knee and elbow pads, in the driveway that was a few feet lower that the adjacent front yard. Her caring father who has assured that she wouldn't feel any pain from a fall of one foot was mowing the grass with the mower blade smack dab at her eye level. He passed this rotating blade within about two feet from her. I was on my run and trotted on over to share my concern. I will confess to having done so in a less than tactful manner. All of the appropriate fashion statements were being made to prevent a minor bump of scrape thus avoiding any judgement from his neighbors and up comes this jackass to tell him he's endangering his precious little one.
9 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
seamusm 11/8/2019 12:17:45 PM (No. 230178)
And where do you think we get organs for transplant? It is not the state's job to tell an adult to be careful. And if they don't wish to - then maybe someone else gets to benefit.
4 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
ARKfamily 11/8/2019 12:38:17 PM (No. 230193)
My mom was in neuro intensive care and the nurse commented on how sad it is when people riding bikes or motorcycle don't wear helmets. They see so many cases where the person is young and basically brain dead but their hearts are strong because of their age. This was 25+ years ago so maybe it has improved?
1 person likes this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
DVC 11/8/2019 12:48:40 PM (No. 230206)
#9, an acquaintence worked as a EMT, said that they called motorcycles "donor-cycles" for the helmetless folks they dealt with who were severely brain damaged but otherwise physically in good condition. Perfect organ donors.
1 person likes this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
curious1 11/8/2019 1:27:13 PM (No. 230225)
#8's first paragraph for a must read of the day. Too many people don't seem to get it.
5 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
caljeepgirl 11/8/2019 2:40:10 PM (No. 230268)
#1, relax....it's okay. You can't fix stupid; besides, how else are we gonna' thin the herd?!
2 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
ussjimmycarter 11/8/2019 4:00:58 PM (No. 230325)
I’m shocked at the responses! We have indeed devolved into a people who stand squarely against freedom and ready to judge all who disagree with our righteousness! I grew up before bicycle helmets were even invented and spent my youth on 10 and 15 speeds riding without this available protection! I had a Raleigh and a Gitanne! Someone decides to make a dorky looking helmet and within 20 short years one is considered a fool for not wearing one...which I will never do! Motorcycle? Yup! I have an $800 Helmet! But most people only spend 100 and think they are protected! Wow! I am amazed at liberalism’s hold on the American that it will tell each of us what is best for our own pathetic selves!
4 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
MDConservative 11/8/2019 4:55:03 PM (No. 230347)
The United States of America touch less personal liberty than "Red" China. Goverment is everywhere in our lives and Americans just can't get enough of it.
0 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
texaspast 11/8/2019 8:13:09 PM (No. 230450)
The nose of the camel into the tent was the seat belt laws. Who could possibly disagree with mandating every person wearing a seat belt? We need a nanny state to protect us from ourselves, right? Almost all other laws were intended to protect others or society from an individuals actions - but seat belts? Bye-bye personal freedom, hello big brother! So yeah - forcing bicycle riders to wear stupid looking helmets is just like seat belts. If they would outlaw those goofy looking biking shorts on people who shouldn't be wearing spandex in any form other than a girdle, that I could go for. Protecting society.
0 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
NYbob 11/8/2019 10:53:25 PM (No. 230496)
Everyone is missing the point. The real meat is in requiring license plates/registration fees and yearly inspections. THAT is where the money is. Of course the helmets would have to be inspected as well and probably replaced every 5 years.
0 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
WV.Hillbilly 11/8/2019 11:18:34 PM (No. 230512)
The truly shocking thing is that Nanny de Blasio is not totally on board with this. The guy has never found a regulation of personal freedom that he is not for.
0 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
XCenturion 11/9/2019 10:55:56 PM (No. 231123)
Brain injuries to Democrats shouldn't be of concern because most don't have functioning brain anyway.
0 people like this.
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Comments:
New NYC PD Commish gets down to business with bike helmet proposals. The Mayor said '"he wanted to “have an honest conversation about the value of bike helmets,” Can they find the time what with with all those honest conversations about crime, guns, and if there will be natural gas in NY this winter? Liberals can take the fun and pleasure out of everything