General Discussion

hfojvt

(37,573 posts)

75. I think that is a bogus estimate

Wed Jun 20, 2012, 11:36 PM

Jun 2012

after all what is the percentage of bicyclists that are unhelmeted? An injury is going to have some costs whether a person is helmeted or not. Also, the total costs of injuries is less than $15 per household in the US. You can barely get a helmet for that much money.

Point is that your chance of winning the powerball is similar to your chance of getting a severe head injury in a bicycle accident. For example, for most of the last 38 years, I have gone bicycling without a helmet and without a head injury. Wow, what a risk I took, with apparently less than a 1 in 14,000 chance of getting injured. If that is Russian roulette, then that is one hell of a big cylinder. With less than one bullet for every 14,000 chambers. I'll continue to take my chances as long as we remain the land of the free. And even after that, write me a ticket you motherfucking safety gestapo.

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Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Laws [View all] Kennah Jun 2012 OP

I don't know the argument against mandatory helmet wearing laws Kolesar Jun 2012 #1

Perhaps helmet laws should be extended FrodosPet Jun 2012 #33

In Australia, helmets are compulsory. SwissTony Jun 2012 #2

I disagree with any nanny laws for adults. soc7 Jun 2012 #3

What's your definition of nanny law? taterguy Jun 2012 #4

In My Opinion... Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #6

The only reason that I'm reluctant to agree with you 100% is that soc7 Jun 2012 #11

I think you're safe. Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #12

Agreed except: Xyzse Jun 2012 #26

You seem to be excellent material ... GeorgeGist Jun 2012 #58

Ding Ding Ding..... soc7 Jun 2012 #61

so basically you're a libertarian. dionysus Jun 2012 #63

I think there should be mandatory culottes laws hfojvt Jun 2012 #46

Ha! Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #82

As a former EMS worker... no, it is not about protecting insurance companies nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #85

I politely decline. Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #87

I guess facts, and these are facts, nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #88

"Once you figure that one out... come back to me." Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #94

Again I asked a simple question nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #104

Not much sleep, Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #100

This is a cost benefit analysis from a medical nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #105

Yep. MightyOkie Jun 2012 #78

Seatbelts? Iggo Jun 2012 #5

What is a "nanny law"? obamanut2012 Jun 2012 #17

according to some... Javaman Jun 2012 #18

hahaha obamanut2012 Jun 2012 #21

A law that demands Nannys have universal healthcare, and I support it. Kennah Jun 2012 #89

If I hadn't been wearing a helmet when I crashed... a la izquierda Jun 2012 #7

BUT Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #13

I wore one in my bike accident because... Javaman Jun 2012 #19

Good on you! Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #79

I trust no one, especially on a bike that's why I wear a helmet. Javaman Jun 2012 #98

I believe I've already mentioned Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #99

"nanny laws" are put into effect because Javaman Jun 2012 #101

I'm often wrong. Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #102

We aren't going to agree Javaman Jun 2012 #103

"and one day, you will be required to do so." Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #119

It's not just about insurance companies saving a few pennies. If an injury is a permanent disability Gormy Cuss Jun 2012 #114

Because I am an adult and not an idiot. a la izquierda Jun 2012 #54

Very good answer. Sans__Culottes Jun 2012 #80

Always wear a helmet Mponti Jun 2012 #8

There is NO situation where someone shouldn't be wearing a helmet. Dawgs Jun 2012 #10

I used to love the freedom of being able to decide how to spend my own money hfojvt Jun 2012 #49

I know the feeling jeff47 Jun 2012 #65

Anyone that doesn't wear a helmet while biking is dumb. Dawgs Jun 2012 #9

+1 nt Javaman Jun 2012 #20

I am in favor of the stupidity law hfojvt Jun 2012 #52

I assume your friends and family ... GeorgeGist Jun 2012 #59

Here's the risk GoneOffShore Jun 2012 #60

that's one guy who knows one guy hfojvt Jun 2012 #72

Most powerball players don't die or end up in the hospital on life support if they don't win. blue neen Jun 2012 #68

I think that is a bogus estimate hfojvt Jun 2012 #75

Ask and ye shall receive more statistics, since you don't believe the valid ones already posted. blue neen Jun 2012 #84

the only thing I am disputing is the relevance hfojvt Jun 2012 #106

I'm taking an antibiotic. It got rid of the pus. blue neen Jun 2012 #107

you leave out a lot of the gaps hfojvt Jun 2012 #117

That's not how odds work mythology Jun 2012 #96

I absolutely oppose all mandatory bicycle helmet laws Ter Jun 2012 #14

I didn't have to wear a seat belt as a kid obamanut2012 Jun 2012 #16

Do you ride a bike now? nt Javaman Jun 2012 #22

Then you're dumb, although I suspect you're joking. Dawgs Jun 2012 #23

I think they should be for adults and children obamanut2012 Jun 2012 #15

Mandatory for children, optional for adults 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #24

I'd say mandatory up to 14, optional thereafter bhikkhu Jun 2012 #25

I've had to replace three helmets: cliffordu Jun 2012 #27

You make a very good argument for outlawing bicycles kenny blankenship Jun 2012 #41

Noo........Just outlaw the expertise I have on the things. cliffordu Jun 2012 #62

As a medic I learned the value of helmets. nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #28

The helmets would save far more lives in cars than on bikes.. Fumesucker Jun 2012 #29

I dont agree with mandatory helmet laws and I certainly dont agree with seat belt laws. hahahareally Jun 2012 #30

Welcome to DU - and try not to win a Darwin when you crash your bike. GoneOffShore Jun 2012 #34

who says I'm going to crash? you are assuming an awful lot. hahahareally Jun 2012 #35

It's like a hard drive crash - Not if, but when. GoneOffShore Jun 2012 #37

Problem is... You will cost me nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #45

If we could leave you by the side of the road to die, I'd agree jeff47 Jun 2012 #64

Why not 18? Go Vols Jun 2012 #122

Why stop at bicyclists? Mandatory helmets for pedestrians! Comrade Grumpy Jun 2012 #31

Indeed. And why stop at the cranium? kenny blankenship Jun 2012 #43

Cars! They are death traps, SUVs are safer (for the SUV occupants at least) Spike89 Jun 2012 #55

Don't like helmets, wear one anyway. GoneOffShore Jun 2012 #32

who am I hurting if I dont wear my seat belt? hahahareally Jun 2012 #36

Are you married? GoneOffShore Jun 2012 #38

Thank God that they passed laws soc7 Jun 2012 #39

Not worried about them being sad - but paying for you in a persistent vegetative state GoneOffShore Jun 2012 #57

hahahareally has left the building pinboy3niner Jun 2012 #42

A seat belt keeps you in your seat and at the wheel. Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2012 #56

Me. jeff47 Jun 2012 #66

I'd rather see mandatory training. kentauros Jun 2012 #40

I'd support that in a second bhikkhu Jun 2012 #86

I suppose if you want to get gory, kentauros Jun 2012 #95

As stated before, this is a health and safety issue...not a libertarian arguement... Stuart G Jun 2012 #44

Michigan doesn't even have mandatory motorcycle helmets anymore Motown_Johnny Jun 2012 #47

Overall societal health benefit discussions always devolve Spike89 Jun 2012 #48

+1 FarCenter Jun 2012 #51

Your argument is missing one key feature jeff47 Jun 2012 #67

Do you have figures on that? Spike89 Jun 2012 #69

Well, first you'd have to provide a figure for "loss of freedom". jeff47 Jun 2012 #70

Because you live in a community, and attempting to force your will on others Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #73

Non-helmet wearers are also forcing their will on me. jeff47 Jun 2012 #74

They're not forcing anything on you. Any activity carries some element of risk. Some people that are Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #81

Being part of a society means things besides paying. jeff47 Jun 2012 #83

"Your freedom to swing your fist ends at my nose". And you're the only one talking about Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #109

If you want freedom, you have to have to take on the responsibility that comes with it. jeff47 Jun 2012 #111

And once again you ignore the questions and continually re-state your opinion. Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #112

As if you aren't doing the same. (nt) jeff47 Jun 2012 #118

You should re-read the exchange. I tried to engage in a conversation and you replied with Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #120

Willfully ignorant people who take a stand against helmet laws, need to grow up. MatthewStLouis Jun 2012 #50

Take it to the BF then it'll get moved to P&R ileus Jun 2012 #53

What is our obsession with mandatory? I think helmets are a good idea, I wear one when I ride, but Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #71

On your question of "Is our population predominately made up of children in old bodies?" Kennah Jun 2012 #93

Given similar laws exists in nations with single payer health care nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #113

Which is relevant to the question how? This the same argument that leads to a War on Drugs and a Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #115

You are seriously confusing public health with the war on drugs? nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #116

"Do your mother a favor and buy a helmet." flvegan Jun 2012 #76

Too many laws interfere with natural selection. Incitatus Jun 2012 #77

A Recent Dutch Study Kennah Jun 2012 #90

I avoided a serious head injury by wearing one and know of someone who died because they didn't loyalsister Jun 2012 #91

Opinions on the subject from the UK Kennah Jun 2012 #92

I just won't wear a helmet. Prometheus Bound Jun 2012 #97

Nice post, Evil Kenevil taterguy Jun 2012 #110

K & R. blue neen Jun 2012 #108

Is the OP a parody of something? nt Romulox Jun 2012 #121

What accidents are we protecting against? One_Life_To_Give Jun 2012 #123

I oppose all mandatory bike helmet laws. blueamy66 Jun 2012 #124