No helemt; no bike?

[mfoga]

I have no problem with them taking the bike. I know in CA they ticket the kids, great so kids want to get back at parents go out and ride without a helmet and make the parents pay a fine. If they take the bike even if its an impound type thing where they can get it back has a greater effect on the kid unlike a ticket.

[dirtvert]

i teach enough kids with problems. i don't need students with head injuries. it's a simple act of protection that could actually save lives. it's not "big brother" taking over our lives.; it's just a little common sense. as an advanced country, at a minimum we should be able to keep children safe.

[freekengo]

Originally Posted by bvader

Probably not...if the Death Penalty doesn't work as a deterrent why would a "Your Responsible for Yourself / your own consequences" Law help. People do stupid things, I am all for letting them reap the consequences but it won't change their behavior ahead of time.

This should answer your point. There are no known cures for "stupid". Still, we must strive for "due diligence". Catering to the lowest common denominator just lowers standards. I thought that the objective for life is to make improvements, not digress back to cavemen standards. The lower end should not HAVE to be catered to.

Originally Posted by bvader

Hell drunk driving is an epidemic...people obviously are not thinking about the consequences...and they can be severe for themselves and others .... but oh yeah they are drunk.

Obviously, the punishment is not harsh enough to deter. When was the last time a drunk driver who killed somebody else in a wreck recieved the death penalty? What sort of message does that send? That the drunk drivers life is more important than the victims? Interesting isn't it.

[Rawhead]

I am the father of an 11 year old boy. He rides his bike to school everyday. I have provided him with a pretty nice bike and helmet so he can commute in style. On his first day of school, I even rode my bike along side of him (wearing my helmet as well). I did notice a disturbing trend on our way to the school. Of all the other kids riding bikes and skateboards... not a single one was wearing a helmet.

A few days later I was able to leave work early. I figured I would swing by the school and surprise my son by giving him a lift home in the truck. I drove to the school and didn't see his bike in the racks... so off I went to intercept him on his route home. As I turned the corner I see my son on his bike... without his helmet on. As I stealthily approach from behind he stops, dismounts and puts his helmet on. He didn't see me, he did this on his own.

Turns out he didn't want to wear his helmet near the school because all the other kids didn't wear helmets. To make matters worse, the other kids were giving him crap and making fun of him for wearing it. While I was disappointed he chose not to wear his helmet, I gave him credit for at least wearing it once around the corner. Days later he had a minor accident on the way to school. He was wearing his helmet and learned first hand why he needs to.

Bottom line is this: We already have laws in place requiring kids under 18 to wear a helmet. IT IS A FAILURE. Why? Because it is not enforced. Enforcement = more taxes to fund your local Police Dept.

Additional laws will NOT solve the issue. Enforcement starts at home. People need to inform their kids, make sure they are enforcing the rules and lead by example. You can't expect law enforcement to raise our children and fix our society.

[dirtvert]

well, obviously, families aren't doing a very good job at home then. a little selective enforcement--which doesn't increase our taxes--would make parents and kids start to wear their helmets.

a perfect example of this is the pocket rocket mini-motorcycles that were popular a few years ago, but were actually not legal to have on the street--much less by kids. the police starting stopping kids on them, warned the families, and now you rarely see one.

[bvader]

Originally Posted by freekengo

Obviously, the punishment is not harsh enough to deter. When was the last time a drunk driver who killed somebody else in a wreck recieved the death penalty? What sort of message does that send? That the drunk drivers life is more important than the victims? Interesting isn't it.

Good points...however...My point is punishment (even harsh) is usually not a deterrent, people simply do not believe they will get caught or that it will happen to them. BTW I do believe punishment for Drunk driving should be harsh!

BTW I firmly believe in be responsible and accountable...this came from my parents, mentors, friends and people I respect...not from laws. I also try to pass that on to people I interact with and/or lead and mentor.

[freekengo]

Originally Posted by bvader

Good points...however...My point is punishment (even harsh) is usually not a deterrent, people simply do not believe they will get caught or that it will happen to them.

It jsut goes back to "you can't fix stupid!"........ It's the core of the problem.

[Draheim18]

Originally Posted by freekengo

It jsut goes back to "you can't fix stupid!"........ It's the core of the problem.

Amen on that one.

[Dusty]

I have had too many smashed helmets in my family not to advocate its use. At my work we are having a "Kids Safety Day" and got a grant to give away 200 helmets to underprivileged kids. This grant is funded by the revenue from the tickets. I know the government has its ways but I am proud to participate in this program.

Make lemonade.

[Elisheva]

I hiked Peter's Cyn. yesterday afternoon with my son. We passed 4 "bad examples" of mtn biking; all males ranging in age from 20-30 not wearing helmets. My 9 year old says, "Mom, they are not wearing a helmet and they're mtn biking." I say, "Yes, son, perhaps they will become an organ donor for a lucky individual."

[CPATCRASH]

Mondo told me a friend of his once said that they dress for the ride and not for the crash.

[thephat]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Mondo told me a friend of his once said that they dress for the ride and not for the crash.

He (Mondo) is also always saying,"the moment you ride without a helmet is the moment you admit you have nothing to live for" edit wait no I think it's, "you have nothing to protect"