mikeymo wrote:RickH wrote:mikeymo wrote:
It seems to me that "focus on the topic" originates from those whose opinion is that helmets haven't been proved to save lives, in "whole population studies".
I don't think most helmet wearers are at all "focussed" on it. They put a helmet on, then cycle somewhere.
Why is it then that on social media, whenever someone posts a cycling picture containing someone without a helmet, you can pretty much guarantee there will be "you/they should be wearing a helmet" within the first 5 comments. That's not the non-helmet wearers getting focused on the subject.
I'll take your word for it. I must not spend enough time on social media where helmets are discussed. So are you saying these "should be wearing a helmet" comments are coming from helmet wearers? I must say on my local cycling forums where actual photos are posted I don't think I've read that comment even once.
When I was doing cycle campaigning, I wore a helmet most of the time, and it was still the first thing people brought up, about 80% of the time. I even had someone who worked in road safety for a county council tell me that my argument for better infrastructure was invalid because I did not push for helmets *first*.
When I taught Bikeability, I tried to pushback on the every student must wear a helmet rule. Kids could often borrow bikes from their friends, but not always helmets, and I wanted to be able I was told that I could only make exceptions for religious or medical reasons, and with a doctor/religious leader's note. I was also told in no uncertain terms not to make noise about the issue.
Focus on helmets also comes from charities (i.e. Headway) that push for mandatory helmets, raod safety campaigners, non-cyclists, and just about anyone else who thinks they are useful. As RickH says, I see it all the time on social media. There are also posts from well meaning friends when I or another friend tlak about cycling, "I hope you wear a helmet", or Mini V's friends telling her that cycling without a helmet is *dangerous*, because I'm sure that's what their parents have told them.