Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Enforcing bicycle helmets is a good idea. It's about protecting your health and reducing the burden on the public health system.

I've fallen off a bike before and my helmet definitely saved me from a serious head injury. Would I have worn one if it was not compulsory and drilled into me as a child that's what you do when you ride one? Maybe not.

It saved me that day and I expect it saves many people in this country every day too.



> Would I have worn one if it was not compulsory and drilled into me as a child that's what you do when you ride one?

Yes. Because this is a false dichotomy. The latter does not depend upon the former. I can say that with certainty because I received the message growing up in a country with a cycling proficiency programme in schools instead of mandatory helmet laws.

Everyone should wear a helmet when riding, but criminalising noncompliance is an inefficient, reductive, expensive, heavy-handed, unnecessarily punitive, and ultimately counter-productive approach to achieving it.


> It's about protecting your health and reducing the burden on the public health system.

So is controlling what and how much people can eat to prevent or reduce obesity.

From now on, you are only allowed to eat broccoli (I actually love broccoli) to ensure you will not be a burden on the public health system.


I think you're reaching a little bit mate.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: