to not let ds cycle without a cycle helmet?

[Idobelieveinfairies]

DS is off to a sports complex to play footie etc..his friend has just bought a new bike and wants to ride(he dosen't have to wear a helmet).....my dc have never been much into bikes but last year ds1 went through a phase of wanting to ride to school but i would not let him unless he wore a helmet he eventually gave up asking. Looks like it is back..but i am not giving in...so he has gone off in a walking huff.

Is there a low in the UK for cycle helmets?? there isn't here but really wish there was-would make parenting wannabe cyclists easier!

I Think people are NUTS not to wear one!! My DH cycles miles everyday and takes safety very seriously - it didn't stop a courier van turning in front on him as the driver looked at his map. DH hit the wheel arch, flew 15ft through the air and landed on his head. If had hadn't been wearing his helmet I think he would be dead. His bike was a write-off and the bruising on his legs took some believing. It didn't stop the cheeky f*ckers trying to sue him! It didn't work tho, we sued them (although really only got the cost of another bike), the police report saw from the accident how obviously the driver had been in the wrong. EVERYONE SHOULD WEAR A HELMET ON A BIKE! IMHO!

YANBU at all.

Dh has had 2 serious cycle accidents which would have been a lot worse (possibly fatal, who knows) if he hadn't been wearing a helmet.

The thing that makes me hopping mad is when parents insist on their child wearing a helmet (fair enough) but don't wear one themselves. Sets such a bad example.

www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/Cyclsafety++

The BMA appear to support helmets.

During 2004, the BMA received correspondence from a number of BMA members, in particular those treating injured victims of cycle related accidents on a daily basis, requesting that the BMA reconsider its position on this issue. In its 1999 report significant emphasis was placed on the BMA?s wish not to discourage cycling by making helmets compulsory. This advice was based on evidence from Australia indicating that cycling levels decreased following the introduction of legislation. This evidence was found to be outdated and contained distortions from variables including a reduction in the legal age of driving that meant more teenagers travelled in motor vehicles. A study from Ontario, Canada, demonstrated that the introduction of helmet legislation did not reduce numbers of children cycling [Reference 10]. Research published in June 2003 for the Department for Transport revealed a growing trend for wearing cycle helmets in the UK. Wearing rates for the population as a whole rose from 16% in 1994 to 25% in 2002 [Reference 11].

DH is another one who would be dead if he hadn't worn a helmet. He was in his 20s, coming fairly quickly down a hill. A woman jumped the lights at a junction and he went straight into her - hit the side of the bonnet (thankfully), flew over the car and landed about 15 feet away ON HIS HEAD. Then rolled and rolled and put his hand out because he thought he had stopped rolling, and flipped over.

The helmet was completely wrecked. His padded cycling shorts were ripped to shreds, he has some scars on his legs, arms and back. But got up and walked into the ambulance whereas if he hadn't been wearing a helmet he would, in my opinion, not have got up.

Driver done for driving without due car and attention. Daft cow.

If dd1, 8 is cycling on the pavement or road, then yes she wears one, if we take her bike to the park, I wouldn't insist on it. DD2 always wears one.

Just to throw a spanner into the argument, when I was a CSI I dealt with a case where a boy had come off his bike and sustained a head injury. He died because his brain swelled and there was nowhere for it to expand to. The pathologist said if he hadn't been wearing a helmet he would probably have fractured his skull and could well have lived. His father was distraught because this was the lad's first time out after being grounded for two weeks for not wearing his helmet.
On balance though, I think I'll still make ds wear one when he gets to bike riding age.

You're more likely to get killed cycling at night, randomly swerving on and off the road and pavement without looking for cars with an ipod plugged in your ears. Like the lad who looked about 12 was last night about 9pm.
Cycling while listening to music is stupid. DH does it. You can't hear the cars and your ears are vital in telling you the tit in the car behind isn't going to give you room to pass and maybe yakking on a phone so you can get ready to leap into the bushes.
I think music while cycling or driving should be banned. And 20 mph limit in cities for cars and bikes. And helmets for car drivers cos my dad got a head injury in a car crash.