Evo6point5 wrote:
Well ok, so 30kmh cycling vs 6-7kmh and you consider the risks to be the same? that's why these arguments are impossible, because people are so unrealistic. Tbh I don't recall ever falling over and injuring myself walking and if I do I'm pretty sure it wont hurt like a cycling crash does.
I don't see the need for me to attempt to promote MHL's in Europe, I don't live there nor take it upon myself to try and change the world. The law is in, I agree with it, the onus is on you to provide the evidence if you want it changed.
I agree there are motorcyclists that don't support the law, and drivers that don't wear seatbelts etc but that's the way it is, I honestly don't see the point whining about it.
I ride my bikes, I wear helmets, If others don't ride purely because they have to wear a helmet, it's their loss. I don't see it my (or anyone on the forum) job to do everything in my power to make people ride or to stand on a soapbox and quote irrelevant statistics.
As I said before, I would highly doubt that there are thousands of people sitting at home thinking, "damn, I really wish I could ride to work, if only I didn't have to wear a helmet". Even where that is presented as an argument against cycling, it must be considered that it is more likely to be quoted as a reason if given as an option than, "I don't ride because I'm just another fat, lazy Aussie".
It's funny that people are so passionate about this, and really don't see the point myself. If you don't want to wear a helmet, then don't but don't whinge when you get a ticket or expect public health to come to the rescue (and before you cite countless other examples... I no doubt would agree that smokers, the morbidly obese etc shouldn't be entitled to public health coverage at taxpayers expense either if the medical condition is a result of choice).
Evo, do you exercise much? Do you exercise HARD very much? Do you compete physically, or have you done so in the past?
The body's ability to cope with tasks becomes progressively lower and lower as you go towards the threshold of effort - you push hard, and eventually you'll fail. Your brain's ability to keep up is diminished as well when you are knackered.
I'm riding 20km each way to work, 4-5 times a week, plus a Saturday morning. My ability to cope with 250-300kms of riding in a week over 12 hours is much higher than my ability to do the same distance over 10 hours. My body is less taxed, and more importantly my brain is less taxed as well. I can pay attention to what is happening a lot better if I'm watching the road, checking my corners, anticipating traffic. If I'm pushing 63kmh I CANNOT do all those things as well as I can at 20kmh. You're a smart enough fellow to understand the simple logic to this. It is a BIG reason why we don't let kids have the same responsibilities and risks as adults - because they physically cannot deal with as many threats and issues as an adult. One reason why you'd encourage a kid to wear a lid even if you don't, MHL or not.
The difference is 5kmh average is simple. The threshold is such a big difference... my 30kmh is the average person's 20kmh. They lack fitness to cope. That's the biggest thing - raw speed isn't the only issue at hand, it is also your ability to ride safely and deal with possible threats.... when you are tired and drunk, you can't drive as well as being alert and safe, true - regardless of your speed. A 60kmh alert is safer than 30kmh blind drunk.
Which leads me back to the MHL - it seems to assume that the only people capable of commuting are psycho hard nuts like me who shrug off a 250km week on the bike as a recovery week. We must be at the absolute threshold of effort, and couldn't possibly be able to deal with traffic and the rest... and of course this is rubbish. MHL is a problem because of the disincentive for 10-20% of people to ride a bike to the shops for milk and bread. 10-20% to consider riding a bike 5km to a friend's place. 10-20% to consider saving an hour a day riding to work instead of fighting the bus and train. 10-20% to save 2000 dollars a year on car rego and maintenance for a second car they don't need. 10-20% to consider riding to their workplace for their daily exercise, instead of driving to a gym to sit on an exercise bike
I know that many people aren't affected by MHL. I honestly don't believe 50% of people will change their minds either way. But you are hurting your society when people on Centrelink are going into serious debt to buy a rubbish car that they can't afford to run, when they could just ride and catch a taxi for the 4 weeks a year that their daily duties are hampered by rain.
I rode to the petrol station with a jerry can in my trunk bag, 2km away, for the lawn mower to fill up. Took me 10 minutes there and back. Some dude was in a 40K SUV doing the same job. I wonder if he has realised that he spent 20 minutes working for the privilege of an extra 5 minutes of convenience? It would take me almost as long to drive for the same trip as I rode.
MHL is about a direction in society... mechanically, there is no reason for us to resist the bike. It SHOULD be a part of everyone's life, at least 1 trip a fortnight should be bike.
Got to run now, I've got to get ready for work, it's a long ride.