In the wake of the death of a teenage rider who ran into a pedestrian this week, we asked if there ought to be a law mandating that all cyclists wear a bicycle helmet.
Our good friend Dev in Arlington says there absolutely should be:
"...Yesterday was just a tragedy with that bicyclist. A helmet could have saved his life. .....We do not live in the country here. One may not look attractive with one on, but one needs to throw vanity away for safety."
And Phil in Chevy Chase agrees:
"For me, helmets are a no brainer. No helmet, possibly no functioning brain in a severe impact to the brain. Is it worth the risk? I'm also amazed when I see parents without helmets cycling with their kids, who generally wear helmets. What kind of example is that? What happens to the kids if the parent dies because he or she wasn't wearing a helmet..."
Good questions, Phil but over on our WUSA 9 Facebook page James Sexton says it's all about your right to choose:
"Wearing a helmet or even wearing a seat-belt should not be legislated as it's a personal choice and neither are ever the cause of an accident. In both cases it's someone else telling you how to live your own life, well intentioned or not ...it's not their call. I ride and wear a helmet when I feel like it, but not always..."
You know, Phil, I've spent a lot of time on a bike and many years ago I was like you. I liked to cruise in those cool little cycling caps and I figured a helmet would cramp my style. But then, like Phil from Chevy Chase, I started asking myself: is this really worth it?
I'm on the fence as to whether the government ought to be forcing adults to wear helmets. There is a personal freedom issue there I think. But I'm not ambivalent about helmets at all. Not wearing one...is just dumb.
Show off your intelligence in McGinty's Mailbag. The email address is mailbag@wusa9.com.