Patrick, if I recall correctly, there isn't a single helmet manufacturer who
designs or certifies their bicycle helmets as suitable for protection
against impacts with motor vehicles. I believe nearly every helmet comes
with a specific disclaimer on this subject.

Secondly, there are *numerous* studies that show cycle lanes are not as safe
as you might think, quite often more dangerous than actually cycling on the
road. You might feel safer, but you won't be in reality. Cycle lanes turn
out not to be a good solution to cycling safety, again surprising and
against what might seem to be common sense, but the reasons are obvious once
you do a little research.

Lastly, you'd be very surprised at the cycling speed of many people in the
Netherlands. They are active and cycle a lot, so are fit and fast. As a
certain famous person said, "It's not about the bike".

Best regards,
Mike.

-----Original Message-----
From: inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Seltsam
Sent: 01 September 2006 17:15
To: inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [inline-instruction] "Green" helmets?

While I certainly can't quantify this, my recollection from visits to the
Netherlands is that a great amount of the cycling there is low speed,
utility cycling, on upright three-speed bikes -- done primarily on bike
lanes separated from motor vehicle traffic by a curb or a median. It is a
very different cycling climate than in North America.

Yes, I'd feel safer cycling without a helmet on a car-free pathway than I
would with a helmet on a busy street.

I'd also suggest that those in the Netherlands who participate in more risky
recreational cycling (racing/training, off-road, etc...) are more apt to
voluntarliy wear helmets while doing those activities.

Patrick Seltsam

________________________________

From: inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Mike van Erp
Sent: Fri 9/1/2006 2:00 AM
To: inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [inline-instruction] "Green" helmets?



Hi Helen,

I don't think that cycling can be considered dangerous, even in the USA.
Although more risky than in the UK and the Netherlands, that risk is still
very very small.

I also don't believe helmets are at all essential for cycling. They are
perhaps one of the least effective safety measures that can be taken. Much
much more effective is proper riding technique and road craft, using lights,
etc.

Best regards,
Mike.

-----Original Message-----
From: inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:inline-instruction%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:inline-instruction%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of ASINAC@...
<mailto:ASINAC%40aol.com>
Sent: 30 August 2006 15:03
To: inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:inline-instruction%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [inline-instruction] "Green" helmets?

Hi Mike,
I knew you would get some interesting feed back from the USA about helmets.

One thing about the Internet is, something's that might work in one country,
may not work in another.
Hence, helmets are a must in the USA for 3 reasons, we are an "extreme"
culture, automobiles rule the roads, and last the land of suing.

In all the reports I have read in the USA it has been cyclists that have the
most fatalities, but then there are more cyclists than skaters.

I don't know anywhere in the USA were they have 1,500 wild horses roaming
and sharing the roads with bikers like they do in the New Forest, Hants, UK,
road patience :)

Remember, when one is right, that is all they get to be............ Demi
Moore.
Helen,
Everett, WA. USA
Harrow, Middx. UK

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