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A. G. Maisey · 30th December 2015, 09:01 PM

Hi drac, I live in Australia.

I raced bicycles for 26 years, started to race at 16years of age. I still ride a bike, but I no longer race.

The whole time I was racing we were not required to wear crash helmets in any races other than track races.

Several of my friends died from head injuries received in crashes.

I had concussion more than ten times, and was once in hospital unconscious for 3 days, in hospital for over a week.

About 25 years ago mandatory laws requiring all cyclists of all ages to wear crash helmets when riding were introduced.

Now you see all the big name pro cyclists in the big European tours and road races wearing head gear that makes them look like aliens.

I absolutely hated it when those mandatory laws were introduced, and I still hate wearing a crash hat every time I go on a public road.

But the fact of the matter is that if you fall and whack your head with a crash hat on, you don't get concussion, and you most likely won't die.

So --- kids must wear crash hats as well as other protective gear?

Yeah, maybe a bit overdone, but how old is a "child"?

Under 12? Under 8? Under 5?

Realistically I must admit that compulsory crash hats are wise, even though I dislike wearing one.

drac2k · 31st December 2015, 10:56 AM

Greetings back.I guess one must strike a happy medium.As a child I always engaged in some type of contact sport,wether it was a crude game of football we called in the United States "Smear,"or wrestling in high school and the University, or Union rugby for many years.My how that game has changed and probably for the better, but as a front row, I still lament, how they no longer allow the barge, lifting the opposite front row or turning him into his own hooker; in my opinion it takes some of the skill away, where a smaller pack could compete with a bigger one.Yes I know, it has saved broken necks and spinal injuries, but on the other side what is next, helmets ?
In conclusion there must safety rules, but a kid must be allowed to enjoy his childhood ( for those few that come out of their rooms, from playing video games),where he learns what it means to have physical contact and an unkind word might get you a black eye.
Happy New Year

A. G. Maisey · 31st December 2015, 08:05 PM

Yeah, no argument from me on the over protectivity thing.

But who & what do we hang this on?

24 hour media cycle?

a series of "limited" wars, probably encouraged, if not arranged, in order to avoid major conflicts that are bad for business, not to mention the social management benefits of these "little wars"?

a generally softer society --- at least in developed countries?

Probably best not to get started on the wrap-in-cotton-wool mentality.

31st December 2015, 10:56 AM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,264	Greetings back.I guess one must strike a happy medium.As a child I always engaged in some type of contact sport,wether it was a crude game of football we called in the United States "Smear,"or wrestling in high school and the University, or Union rugby for many years.My how that game has changed and probably for the better, but as a front row, I still lament, how they no longer allow the barge, lifting the opposite front row or turning him into his own hooker; in my opinion it takes some of the skill away, where a smaller pack could compete with a bigger one.Yes I know, it has saved broken necks and spinal injuries, but on the other side what is next, helmets ? In conclusion there must safety rules, but a kid must be allowed to enjoy his childhood ( for those few that come out of their rooms, from playing video games),where he learns what it means to have physical contact and an unkind word might get you a black eye. Happy New Year Last edited by drac2k; 31st December 2015 at 02:06 PM.

30th December 2015, 09:01 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,035	Hi drac, I live in Australia. I raced bicycles for 26 years, started to race at 16years of age. I still ride a bike, but I no longer race. The whole time I was racing we were not required to wear crash helmets in any races other than track races. Several of my friends died from head injuries received in crashes. I had concussion more than ten times, and was once in hospital unconscious for 3 days, in hospital for over a week. About 25 years ago mandatory laws requiring all cyclists of all ages to wear crash helmets when riding were introduced. Now you see all the big name pro cyclists in the big European tours and road races wearing head gear that makes them look like aliens. I absolutely hated it when those mandatory laws were introduced, and I still hate wearing a crash hat every time I go on a public road. But the fact of the matter is that if you fall and whack your head with a crash hat on, you don't get concussion, and you most likely won't die. So --- kids must wear crash hats as well as other protective gear? Yeah, maybe a bit overdone, but how old is a "child"? Under 12? Under 8? Under 5? Realistically I must admit that compulsory crash hats are wise, even though I dislike wearing one.

31st December 2015, 08:05 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,035	Yeah, no argument from me on the over protectivity thing. But who & what do we hang this on? 24 hour media cycle? a series of "limited" wars, probably encouraged, if not arranged, in order to avoid major conflicts that are bad for business, not to mention the social management benefits of these "little wars"? a generally softer society --- at least in developed countries? Probably best not to get started on the wrap-in-cotton-wool mentality.