Raise the Hammer

I love the idea of a bixi like project in Hamilton. I have some doubts as to the viability of such a plan but even if the city needed to subsidize it to a limited extent it would still be a worthwhile thing. In order for it to work the city needs to have some sort of connected comprehensive bike lanes. The existing hodge-podge of lanes we have now is almost worse then nothing at all. For the minute investment bike lanes require there is simply no reason for this city to be in the position it is. Main St. West was completely rebuilt by the university not long ago and there is no bike lane anywhere to be seen. The number of students who ride bikes to Mac at least occasionally is huge and yet the powers that be did not bother putting in bike lanes.

If the bikes were a little lighter and more rideable that could not hurt things either.

One of the main arguments against wearing a bicycle helmet seems to be that cycling is not dangerous. Compare the number of miles traveled by bike to automobile I wonder which mode of transport is more dangerous. Motoring is also a very safe mode of transportation yet we as a society make seatbelts mandatory.

The other big argument against mandatory cycling helmets appears to be the limited effectiveness of bicycle helmets. Then maybe the answer is to raise the standards of these helmets. Make them more in line with motorcycle helmets. They are safer for sure.

I find it almost impossible to believe that anyone would be so vain as to put their life in jeopardy over something as trivial as "helmet hair." If they are that vain maybe the gene pool is better off without them.

I realize I am an old man and my priorities are different than a youngster but the arguements against helmets sounds a lot like the arguements against mandatory auto seatbelts I heard 30 or 40 years ago. Today I doubt many would defend the "right" of automobile drivers and passengers to ride without one.