I had a great discussion on Mastodon about the logic of making bike helmets a legal requirement or not. I learned a lot and actually changed my mind on the subject…
No. Obviously I think if you can wear them you should, but making them required reduces the willingness of people to cycle, so as a strategy for swapping from car to bike, it is less effective.
No. But we’re not trying to encourage people to drive more motorcycles.
We want to reduce the barrier to someone using a pedal bike, and if they have to fart around trying to find a helmet or worry about getting a ticket, they’re more likely to just not bother and use a car instead.
I had a great discussion on Mastodon about the logic of making bike helmets a legal requirement or not. I learned a lot and actually changed my mind on the subject…
So do you think they should be a legal requirement or not?
No. Obviously I think if you can wear them you should, but making them required reduces the willingness of people to cycle, so as a strategy for swapping from car to bike, it is less effective.
Interesting… So do you feel the same about motorcycle helmets?
No. But we’re not trying to encourage people to drive more motorcycles.
We want to reduce the barrier to someone using a pedal bike, and if they have to fart around trying to find a helmet or worry about getting a ticket, they’re more likely to just not bother and use a car instead.
Unheard of! You are the chosen one!