Item — HN Reader

Mandatory Helmet Laws may make cyclists less safe by macroscopic effects but for the love of God wear a helmet. I would not have a father right now if he had not been wearing a helmet when he hit a pothole.

It's not just cars / other road users that are potentially dangerous to cyclists, poor road surface or debris can just as likely cause a life-changing injury, even if you're not travelling at high speed. Wear a helmet.

1 comments

This is kind of what the article says. It’s not anti-helmet.

For cities, bikeshare can be amazing—I live in DC and our CaBi system is very popular. It is a cheap and easy way for everyone to have access to a bike, and it complements the District’s investment in a bike lane network. A helmet law would kneecap the system.

Wearing a helmet is good, but getting people out of cars and onto bikes with good bike lanes will lead to overall health benefits for a community.

Yet it is being anti helmet by trying to cite sketch studies and be too clever by half.

> A helmet law would kneecap the system

Just an anecdote. Bike share in Vancouver, BC where helmets are mandatory comes with helmets attached to the bikes. And there are "hair nets" IIRC for hygiene purposes.