Maybe this is why NO ONE in the Netherlands (except us dumb american
tourists) wears a bike helmet. Well, this and the laws:
http://www.transalt.org/press/magazine/034Fall/18europe.html
-- snip --
"Driver training for motorists in The Netherlands and Germany is much
more extensive, thorough and expensive than in the United States. In
their training programs, the Dutch and Germans emphasize how crucial it
is to pay special attention to avoiding collisions with pedestrians and
cyclists. Motorists are required by law to drive in a way that minimizes
the risk of injury for pedestrians and cyclists even if they are
jaywalking, cycling in the wrong direction, ignoring traffic signals or
otherwise violating traffic regulations."
and
"Traffic regulations in Germany and The Netherlands strongly favor
pedestrians and bicyclists. The most significant difference between the
transportation policy of these countries and that of the United States
is how much more strictly they enforce traffic regulations for
motorists. German and Dutch penalties can be high, even for minor
violations. They consider not stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks a
serious offense and will ticket a motorist for non-compliance, even if
pedestrians are only waiting at the curb and are not actually in the
crosswalk."
- cathy in la crosse
p.s My dad, 79, had brain surgery after a fall earlier this year and has
recuperated pretty much fully and still rides his "oma fiets" (
http://users.skynet.be/dannyvanhove/Omafiets.jpg - new version here:
http://www.electrabike.com/amsterdam/ )around to pick up reusable junk
on trash days (like reams of paper still in their wrappers, lamps, etc.
that can be fixed and used.) I gave him a bicycle helmet last month.
His response, "I've been riding my bike without a helmet since I was 6
and I'm not going to start now!" but, since I refused to take it back, I
figure one of these days he'll decide to wear it.Maybe.
Mark Clear wrote:
Passing this on without comment as an opening for discussion...
------------------------
STRANGE BUT TRUE: HELMETS ATTRACT CARS TO CYCLISTS
By Nikhil Swaminathan
Although you might not want to leave your protective gear at home,
just know that if you do, drivers will be a lot more scared of hitting
you.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?SID=mail&articleID=778EF0AB-E7F2-99DF-3594A60E4D9A76B2
<http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?SID=mail&articleID=778EF0AB-E7F2-99DF-3594A60E4D9A76B2%20>
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Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
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Cathy Van Maren
Upward Bound
176 Murphy
UW-L
La Crosse, WI 54601
608 785-8539
608 785-8757 (fax)
www.uwlax.edu/UpBound
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