I did say in my last post that the debate regarding cycling helmets was a contentious one....with so many differing views....various statistics.....tests...experiments... etc you wouldn't really expect it to be anything else..
What you wouldn't expect, is that a National cycling hero would be vilified for simply expressing a perfectly valid point of view. The backlash that Bradley Wiggins received on various forums etc from the anti-helmet brigade was mind boggling....
I don't know what it is about this subject that causes such a high level of aggression, but it is far beyond what any reasonable thinking person could possibly expect under the heading of a debate.
Some of the internet postings have been variously nasty...vindictive....venom fuelled....full of hate, scorn and hostility.
Why does this subject generate such unreasonable reactions?
After all, as I read on another blog...."it's only a hat.....it's all about wearing a particular type of hat".
In my posting I put my own point of view ...I stated the reasons why I wear a helmet and rightly or wrongly I will continue to do so.
At no point in my post did I state I felt that it should or should not be made law, but that has not stopped my blog receiving a higher than normal level of 'Anonymous comments' and most of these can be listed under the headings of Nasty...Hostile...and Aggressive....just because I wear a helmet when I go cycling....
Now I never post anonymous comments on my blog....let alone anonymous comments that are calling me 'a tosser'....so all of these comments were halted at the point of moderation.....but I must say that I am pretty well bemused by the reaction.....
What you wouldn't expect, is that a National cycling hero would be vilified for simply expressing a perfectly valid point of view. The backlash that Bradley Wiggins received on various forums etc from the anti-helmet brigade was mind boggling....
I don't know what it is about this subject that causes such a high level of aggression, but it is far beyond what any reasonable thinking person could possibly expect under the heading of a debate.
Some of the internet postings have been variously nasty...vindictive....venom fuelled....full of hate, scorn and hostility.
Why does this subject generate such unreasonable reactions?
After all, as I read on another blog...."it's only a hat.....it's all about wearing a particular type of hat".
In my posting I put my own point of view ...I stated the reasons why I wear a helmet and rightly or wrongly I will continue to do so.
At no point in my post did I state I felt that it should or should not be made law, but that has not stopped my blog receiving a higher than normal level of 'Anonymous comments' and most of these can be listed under the headings of Nasty...Hostile...and Aggressive....just because I wear a helmet when I go cycling....
Now I never post anonymous comments on my blog....let alone anonymous comments that are calling me 'a tosser'....so all of these comments were halted at the point of moderation.....but I must say that I am pretty well bemused by the reaction.....
8 comments:
Wow never realised this caused so much anger. People really hate being told what to do! Why is wearing a 'hat' such a hard thing to imagine or do?
I'm guessing the same debates took place over seatbelts, motor cycle helmets and the use of mobile phones. Yet accidents are a part of our lives particularly on the roads they can happen to anyone no matter how careful they are. How can being better protected be a bad thing?
I'm sorry that your blog has received such bad comments. I often wonder if these people have ever known someone to die or be crippled from a head injury or been run over by a car which was out of your control or even to land a break your helmet and left to wonder 'what if..........'
Oh come on.....post the comments. They say more about the writer than they do about you.
I do hope my commentary wasn't amongst the "nasty" category. I suspect that our main disagreement is how much we'd object to legislation on general principles, and I hope you found the Ian Walker perspective interesting and fresh.
*Jez Andrews*
It is surprising isn't it Jez...a lot of it is about a perceived personal freedom...tell some people that they mustn't walk on the grass and they will just have to do it to exercise their 'freedom'...
*Adrian*
Ha..Ha..Now why am I not surprised that you suggested that Adrian...
*Steve A*
No, your comment was reasonable and measured...in fact it was the only one from that side of the debate that didn't decide to throw in a bucket load of abuse.....
Ref the Ian Walker research...I first read that back in 2006 when his findings were published. I will still continue to wear a helmet though......
Best to ignore the anonymous trolls. But its interesting that amongst a sport that generally unites in fellowship, the issue of helmets divides so severely. I often choose not to wear a helmet and am regularly criticised by some and applauded by others - frankly views either way are often half baked and ill thought through. I feel I should have the right to choose according to the circumstances (and my choice of wearing / not wearing a helmet does vary in relation to where I'm riding and who I'm riding with) , so long as it doesn't affect others.
Ultimately it's about taking responsibility for our own actions and the consequences which follow - now kids and helmets, that's another and very complicated matter.
On which point, an interesting point is the appalling quality (and fit) of budget helmets sold to parents for use by children - especially toddlers. Thankfully most very young kids ride at speeds at which they are in limited danger, another point that is forgotten by the 'compulsory' brigade.
As I write this, in the park opposite my house, there a dozens of kids compelled (by both parents and park rules) to wear helmets as they ride at about three miles an hour on a traffic free path - whilst struggling to see as the helmets fall over their eyes.
It is strange how when you mention the compulsory wearing of helmets it becomes such a hot topic.
I haven't heard Wiggins had said this I have been away for a few days with no TV or radio ( bliss )
But I agree cyclist's do need to help themselves but I also agree that they do not need to be told they must wear a helmet I believe it should be personal choice.
I for one always wear mine after getting knocked off my bike late one night by a deranged badger that shot out of a hedge straight in front of me and I went over my bars and I remember as my head hit the floor at albeit a slow speed thank god I had my helmet on or that would of hurt an awful lot more than it did.
I did see wiggins win gold though and did notice after he won the time trial he was riding round without his helmet on.
There is always an argument for and against all I know is if I hit my head with something hard it hurts so its really a no brainer for me I also know if an articulated truck runs over me a helmet wont help but maybe I will look like a proper cyclist just before it squashes me .
Its the same with a lot of things, some people need to be protected from themselves. I'm old enough to remember the introduction of helmet wearing for motor cycles, and seat belts in cars. Remember the smoking ban in pubs, it was going to have such an effect on business, they were all going to shut down. I quite like a pint in a smoke free zone myself. I wear a helmet and feel undressed without it, and will continue to do so regardless of what statistics may say about my chances of it saving my life. Its only a hat!
*The bike shed*
Thanks for the comments...you make some very valid points here....
*mark shaw*
I saw Wiggo riding around without his helmet too Mark...Perhaps it would have been worthwhile him remembering that before he spoke out..LOL
My feelings are the same as yours though Mark..I wear it and what anyone else does is up to them.....
*robin*
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment Robin...
I agree..I would prefer to take my chances wearing one rather than not wearing one, whatever statistics and research says....
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