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Urban commuters and casual bikers in Holland who wear helmets: approximately 0. I don't know what would happen if they made helmets mandatory, but subjectively,
by mbrock 11y ago
Urban commuters and casual bikers in Holland who wear helmets: approximately 0. I don't know what would happen if they made helmets mandatory, but subjectively, needing to put on safety equipment to go to the supermarket three blocks away, or to the pub, is a significant difference in convenience and ease. Mostly because you need to keep the helmet somewhere. In Holland this would likely mean a table for six at the pub has five helmets on or near it. Might be a small problem in the grand scale but it would be annoying.
- sevensor 11y agoThe Dutch are able to dispense with helmets only because they have pervasive, well-maintained bicycle infrastructure and flat terrain. I'm on the fence about helmet laws in the U.S., but given our road conditions I think everyone should choose to wear one.
- jacquesm 11y agoAnd because drivers here are on the hook in any accident involving a bike short of someone throwing themselves under your car.
- sevensor 11y agoYes, drivers here can quite literally get away with murder.
- mbrock 11y agoSure. I think conditions vary from city to city, neighborhood to neighborhood even. That's why I don't support helmet laws. They impose inconvenience and reduce personal freedom. Holland happens to be entirely flat and suited for safe biking, so it's a good example for why helmet laws are not universally a good idea.