This is another one that refuses to include riders who show up without the magic foam hat – at least they have in years past, I don’t see any mention of it on this year’s poster.
This is another one that refuses to include riders who show up without the magic foam hat – at least they have in years past, I don’t see any mention of it on this year’s poster.
Re: Magic Foam Hat
From the Ride of Silence FAQ:
8: Have posters request having headlights/taillights on bikes, so we are more of a procession. (and sadly to imply funeral). Remember, HELMETS are MANDATORY.
8: Have posters request having headlights/taillights on bikes, so we are more of a procession. (and sadly to imply funeral). Remember, HELMETS are MANDATORY.
Yup, I went to look that up myself after posting. Coincidentally, today’s Snob sums up my feelings on this very matter:
“However, I also disagree that “The only way out of this chaos is through safer streets and safer drivers sharing the roads.” Yes, we need both of these things, but we also need safer cyclists riding their bikes–and by “safer cyclists” I don’t mean people wearing helmets. In the absence of smart riding, wearing a helmet makes you about as safe as wearing a knitted beverage coaster or a pointy party hat makes you “right.” It’s not the hat that matters; it’s what you do under it that’s important, and it may amaze some people to learn that you can even be “safe” (or even “right”) without wearing anything on your head at all. Furthermore, while we undoubtedly need safer drivers, we also cannot drive people’s cars for them, and so the most important thing by far is to operate the vehicle over which we do have complete control as expertly as possible.”
Yup, I went to look that up myself after posting. Coincidentally, today’s Snob sums up my feelings on this very matter:
“However, I also disagree that “The only way out of this chaos is through safer streets and safer drivers sharing the roads.” Yes, we need both of these things, but we also need safer cyclists riding their bikes–and by “safer cyclists” I don’t mean people wearing helmets. In the absence of smart riding, wearing a helmet makes you about as safe as wearing a knitted beverage coaster or a pointy party hat makes you “right.” It’s not the hat that matters; it’s what you do under it that’s important, and it may amaze some people to learn that you can even be “safe” (or even “right”) without wearing anything on your head at all. Furthermore, while we undoubtedly need safer drivers, we also cannot drive people’s cars for them, and so the most important thing by far is to operate the vehicle over which we do have complete control as expertly as possible.”
If it were more than just me and the maybe two or three people in Tucson who happen to agree with me, I’d say it would be worthwhile for helmetless riders to meet elsewhere, wait for the ride to start, then fall in as a separate group directly behind the *real* ride in our assigned spot as second-class citizens and “unsafe” riders. Even then though I doubt any of the ROS folks would “get it” so it would kind of be a futile gesture. Instead I’ll just wish them well and say it’s a shame they don’t want me there, because I agree with their effort in principle and would prefer to join them if I were allowed to do so.
If it were more than just me and the maybe two or three people in Tucson who happen to agree with me, I’d say it would be worthwhile for helmetless riders to meet elsewhere, wait for the ride to start, then fall in as a separate group directly behind the *real* ride in our assigned spot as second-class citizens and “unsafe” riders. Even then though I doubt any of the ROS folks would “get it” so it would kind of be a futile gesture. Instead I’ll just wish them well and say it’s a shame they don’t want me there, because I agree with their effort in principle and would prefer to join them if I were allowed to do so.
It’s not that they don’t want you there. They have a dress code. If you are curious as to why that is, you could probably ping someone from the overall (national) ride coordinators. Or you could post something on tucsonvelo.com about how you feel about bike helmets. Either way, you are still allowed and welcomed to join. I imagine that you could probably even find someone to loan you a helmet without too much trouble.
It’s not that they don’t want you there. They have a dress code. If you are curious as to why that is, you could probably ping someone from the overall (national) ride coordinators. Or you could post something on tucsonvelo.com about how you feel about bike helmets. Either way, you are still allowed and welcomed to join. I imagine that you could probably even find someone to loan you a helmet without too much trouble.
Oh, I know exactly why it is, that’s pretty obvious. They’re doing it to cater to the popular misconceptions of a mostly ignorant public that safety is a consumer product that you can buy and strap on, then forget about. They’re afraid that the message will be taken less seriously if we don’t adhere to the non-cycling public’s misinformed idea of how “safe” cyclists are supposed to dress. It’s that old “perception is more important than reality” nonsense again. And it’s not that I don’t have a helmet to wear, it’s that I feel that kowtowing to the helmet=safe/helmetless=unsafe simplistic public polarization instead of nipping it in the bud now through education is a mistake that is only going to come back and bite us in the long run. The majority of the non-cycling public also feels that it’s safer for us to ride on the sidewalk, but thankfully this ride doesn’t cater to *that* myth, and it shouldn’t cater to the helmet one either.
So will I still be “allowed and welcomed to join” if I insist on riding helmetless? If the answer is no, then I still say it’s a shame that they are choosing to exclude me, as well as many others, I’m sure, that you’ll never hear from (and will just never see) who feel the same way.
Oh, I know exactly why it is, that’s pretty obvious. They’re doing it to cater to the popular misconceptions of a mostly ignorant public that safety is a consumer product that you can buy and strap on, then forget about. They’re afraid that the message will be taken less seriously if we don’t adhere to the non-cycling public’s misinformed idea of how “safe” cyclists are supposed to dress. It’s that old “perception is more important than reality” nonsense again. And it’s not that I don’t have a helmet to wear, it’s that I feel that kowtowing to the helmet=safe/helmetless=unsafe simplistic public polarization instead of nipping it in the bud now through education is a mistake that is only going to come back and bite us in the long run. The majority of the non-cycling public also feels that it’s safer for us to ride on the sidewalk, but thankfully this ride doesn’t cater to *that* myth, and it shouldn’t cater to the helmet one either.
So will I still be “allowed and welcomed to join” if I insist on riding helmetless? If the answer is no, then I still say it’s a shame that they are choosing to exclude me, as well as many others, I’m sure, that you’ll never hear from (and will just never see) who feel the same way.
Well, this is an interesting point.
It’s a public ride, organized by the
BAC, comprised of government-
appointed citizens in an advisory
capacity. I really don’t see how
they can make requirements that
supersede City ordinance or State
law…that’s discrimination.
Well, this is an interesting point.
It’s a public ride, organized by the
BAC, comprised of government-
appointed citizens in an advisory
capacity. I really don’t see how
they can make requirements that
supersede City ordinance or State
law…that’s discrimination.
I’ve got an email in to the leader of the ride asking if they will turn away riders who aren’t wearing a helmet and what the reasoning is behind the requirement.
I’ve got an email in to the leader of the ride asking if they will turn away riders who aren’t wearing a helmet and what the reasoning is behind the requirement.
Re: 8 above
There is only a request for having
headlights; required by law for
a night ride.
Yet helmets are mandatory; not
required by law–go figure.
Riding without lights at night,
Riding against traffic and
Riding on the sidewalk.
Collision data bear this out, that
these behaviors increase the
likelyhood of “incidences”
happening. Their connection to
safety is reflected in laws.
Helmets have no bearing on whether
incidences occur and may only have
an effect on the degree of injury.
So they are of interest to
insurance companies looking to
reduce their obligation. You know,
insurance companies could afford
to put a light on every bike. But
their interest is not in reducing
incidences (real safety). In fact,
increased incidences can be sold
as a greater validation for their
existence.
Hence the skewing of ‘safe’ to helmets
rather than to lights.
BTW-if your only light is on your helmet,
you can be cited for riding without a light.
The law states it must be attached to the bike.
Re: 8 above
There is only a request for having
headlights; required by law for
a night ride.
Yet helmets are mandatory; not
required by law–go figure.
Riding without lights at night,
Riding against traffic and
Riding on the sidewalk.
Collision data bear this out, that
these behaviors increase the
likelyhood of “incidences”
happening. Their connection to
safety is reflected in laws.
Helmets have no bearing on whether
incidences occur and may only have
an effect on the degree of injury.
So they are of interest to
insurance companies looking to
reduce their obligation. You know,
insurance companies could afford
to put a light on every bike. But
their interest is not in reducing
incidences (real safety). In fact,
increased incidences can be sold
as a greater validation for their
existence.
Hence the skewing of ‘safe’ to helmets
rather than to lights.
BTW-if your only light is on your helmet,
you can be cited for riding without a light.
The law states it must be attached to the bike.
I’ve always liked the part about it being prohibited to equip your bike with a whistle. Like if I have a plain old pea-whistle hanging from my handlebar on a string, I can get a ticket. I always think of the training scene in “Triplets of Belleville” where the old lady follows behind the bike-racing grandson keeping up just fine on a kid’s tricycle constantly tweeting on that whistle. *She’s* the one that should’ve entered the race, as she’s obviously in far better shape than he was.
I’ve always liked the part about it being prohibited to equip your bike with a whistle. Like if I have a plain old pea-whistle hanging from my handlebar on a string, I can get a ticket. I always think of the training scene in “Triplets of Belleville” where the old lady follows behind the bike-racing grandson keeping up just fine on a kid’s tricycle constantly tweeting on that whistle. *She’s* the one that should’ve entered the race, as she’s obviously in far better shape than he was.
[…] Ride of Silence got a lot of comments over the fact that they require a helmet to ride. I emailed the Tucson organizer asking whether […]
I have mixed feelings about the ride. I want to remind motorists to be careful and to honor fellow cyclists who have been injured or lost their lives. But what I want most of all is MORE cyclists and walkers using the streets. Emphasizing the small danger over the large benefits might not be the best thing.
I have mixed feelings about the ride. I want to remind motorists to be careful and to honor fellow cyclists who have been injured or lost their lives. But what I want most of all is MORE cyclists and walkers using the streets. Emphasizing the small danger over the large benefits might not be the best thing.
Here elaborates the cake-like.com matter not only extensively but also detailly .I support the write’s cake-like.com unique point.It is useful and benefit to your daily life.You can cake-like.com go those sits to know more relate things.They are strongly recommended by friends.Personally
This is another one that refuses to include riders who show up without the magic foam hat – at least they have in years past, I don’t see any mention of it on this year’s poster.
This is another one that refuses to include riders who show up without the magic foam hat – at least they have in years past, I don’t see any mention of it on this year’s poster.
Re: Magic Foam Hat
From the Ride of Silence FAQ:
8: Have posters request having headlights/taillights on bikes, so we are more of a procession. (and sadly to imply funeral). Remember, HELMETS are MANDATORY.
http://www.rideofsilence.org/faq.php
Re: Magic Foam Hat
From the Ride of Silence FAQ:
8: Have posters request having headlights/taillights on bikes, so we are more of a procession. (and sadly to imply funeral). Remember, HELMETS are MANDATORY.
http://www.rideofsilence.org/faq.php
Yup, I went to look that up myself after posting. Coincidentally, today’s Snob sums up my feelings on this very matter:
“However, I also disagree that “The only way out of this chaos is through safer streets and safer drivers sharing the roads.” Yes, we need both of these things, but we also need safer cyclists riding their bikes–and by “safer cyclists” I don’t mean people wearing helmets. In the absence of smart riding, wearing a helmet makes you about as safe as wearing a knitted beverage coaster or a pointy party hat makes you “right.” It’s not the hat that matters; it’s what you do under it that’s important, and it may amaze some people to learn that you can even be “safe” (or even “right”) without wearing anything on your head at all. Furthermore, while we undoubtedly need safer drivers, we also cannot drive people’s cars for them, and so the most important thing by far is to operate the vehicle over which we do have complete control as expertly as possible.”
Yup, I went to look that up myself after posting. Coincidentally, today’s Snob sums up my feelings on this very matter:
“However, I also disagree that “The only way out of this chaos is through safer streets and safer drivers sharing the roads.” Yes, we need both of these things, but we also need safer cyclists riding their bikes–and by “safer cyclists” I don’t mean people wearing helmets. In the absence of smart riding, wearing a helmet makes you about as safe as wearing a knitted beverage coaster or a pointy party hat makes you “right.” It’s not the hat that matters; it’s what you do under it that’s important, and it may amaze some people to learn that you can even be “safe” (or even “right”) without wearing anything on your head at all. Furthermore, while we undoubtedly need safer drivers, we also cannot drive people’s cars for them, and so the most important thing by far is to operate the vehicle over which we do have complete control as expertly as possible.”
If it were more than just me and the maybe two or three people in Tucson who happen to agree with me, I’d say it would be worthwhile for helmetless riders to meet elsewhere, wait for the ride to start, then fall in as a separate group directly behind the *real* ride in our assigned spot as second-class citizens and “unsafe” riders. Even then though I doubt any of the ROS folks would “get it” so it would kind of be a futile gesture. Instead I’ll just wish them well and say it’s a shame they don’t want me there, because I agree with their effort in principle and would prefer to join them if I were allowed to do so.
If it were more than just me and the maybe two or three people in Tucson who happen to agree with me, I’d say it would be worthwhile for helmetless riders to meet elsewhere, wait for the ride to start, then fall in as a separate group directly behind the *real* ride in our assigned spot as second-class citizens and “unsafe” riders. Even then though I doubt any of the ROS folks would “get it” so it would kind of be a futile gesture. Instead I’ll just wish them well and say it’s a shame they don’t want me there, because I agree with their effort in principle and would prefer to join them if I were allowed to do so.
It’s not that they don’t want you there. They have a dress code. If you are curious as to why that is, you could probably ping someone from the overall (national) ride coordinators. Or you could post something on tucsonvelo.com about how you feel about bike helmets. Either way, you are still allowed and welcomed to join. I imagine that you could probably even find someone to loan you a helmet without too much trouble.
It’s not that they don’t want you there. They have a dress code. If you are curious as to why that is, you could probably ping someone from the overall (national) ride coordinators. Or you could post something on tucsonvelo.com about how you feel about bike helmets. Either way, you are still allowed and welcomed to join. I imagine that you could probably even find someone to loan you a helmet without too much trouble.
Oh, I know exactly why it is, that’s pretty obvious. They’re doing it to cater to the popular misconceptions of a mostly ignorant public that safety is a consumer product that you can buy and strap on, then forget about. They’re afraid that the message will be taken less seriously if we don’t adhere to the non-cycling public’s misinformed idea of how “safe” cyclists are supposed to dress. It’s that old “perception is more important than reality” nonsense again. And it’s not that I don’t have a helmet to wear, it’s that I feel that kowtowing to the helmet=safe/helmetless=unsafe simplistic public polarization instead of nipping it in the bud now through education is a mistake that is only going to come back and bite us in the long run. The majority of the non-cycling public also feels that it’s safer for us to ride on the sidewalk, but thankfully this ride doesn’t cater to *that* myth, and it shouldn’t cater to the helmet one either.
So will I still be “allowed and welcomed to join” if I insist on riding helmetless? If the answer is no, then I still say it’s a shame that they are choosing to exclude me, as well as many others, I’m sure, that you’ll never hear from (and will just never see) who feel the same way.
Oh, I know exactly why it is, that’s pretty obvious. They’re doing it to cater to the popular misconceptions of a mostly ignorant public that safety is a consumer product that you can buy and strap on, then forget about. They’re afraid that the message will be taken less seriously if we don’t adhere to the non-cycling public’s misinformed idea of how “safe” cyclists are supposed to dress. It’s that old “perception is more important than reality” nonsense again. And it’s not that I don’t have a helmet to wear, it’s that I feel that kowtowing to the helmet=safe/helmetless=unsafe simplistic public polarization instead of nipping it in the bud now through education is a mistake that is only going to come back and bite us in the long run. The majority of the non-cycling public also feels that it’s safer for us to ride on the sidewalk, but thankfully this ride doesn’t cater to *that* myth, and it shouldn’t cater to the helmet one either.
So will I still be “allowed and welcomed to join” if I insist on riding helmetless? If the answer is no, then I still say it’s a shame that they are choosing to exclude me, as well as many others, I’m sure, that you’ll never hear from (and will just never see) who feel the same way.
Well, this is an interesting point.
It’s a public ride, organized by the
BAC, comprised of government-
appointed citizens in an advisory
capacity. I really don’t see how
they can make requirements that
supersede City ordinance or State
law…that’s discrimination.
Well, this is an interesting point.
It’s a public ride, organized by the
BAC, comprised of government-
appointed citizens in an advisory
capacity. I really don’t see how
they can make requirements that
supersede City ordinance or State
law…that’s discrimination.
I’ve got an email in to the leader of the ride asking if they will turn away riders who aren’t wearing a helmet and what the reasoning is behind the requirement.
I’ve got an email in to the leader of the ride asking if they will turn away riders who aren’t wearing a helmet and what the reasoning is behind the requirement.
Re: 8 above
There is only a request for having
headlights; required by law for
a night ride.
Yet helmets are mandatory; not
required by law–go figure.
Riding without lights at night,
Riding against traffic and
Riding on the sidewalk.
Collision data bear this out, that
these behaviors increase the
likelyhood of “incidences”
happening. Their connection to
safety is reflected in laws.
Helmets have no bearing on whether
incidences occur and may only have
an effect on the degree of injury.
So they are of interest to
insurance companies looking to
reduce their obligation. You know,
insurance companies could afford
to put a light on every bike. But
their interest is not in reducing
incidences (real safety). In fact,
increased incidences can be sold
as a greater validation for their
existence.
Hence the skewing of ‘safe’ to helmets
rather than to lights.
BTW-if your only light is on your helmet,
you can be cited for riding without a light.
The law states it must be attached to the bike.
Re: 8 above
There is only a request for having
headlights; required by law for
a night ride.
Yet helmets are mandatory; not
required by law–go figure.
Riding without lights at night,
Riding against traffic and
Riding on the sidewalk.
Collision data bear this out, that
these behaviors increase the
likelyhood of “incidences”
happening. Their connection to
safety is reflected in laws.
Helmets have no bearing on whether
incidences occur and may only have
an effect on the degree of injury.
So they are of interest to
insurance companies looking to
reduce their obligation. You know,
insurance companies could afford
to put a light on every bike. But
their interest is not in reducing
incidences (real safety). In fact,
increased incidences can be sold
as a greater validation for their
existence.
Hence the skewing of ‘safe’ to helmets
rather than to lights.
BTW-if your only light is on your helmet,
you can be cited for riding without a light.
The law states it must be attached to the bike.
Re: Headlights Afixed
Yes. And for more information on this and other traffic laws concerning bicycles…
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/28/00817.htm&Title=28&DocType=ARS
Re: Headlights Afixed
Yes. And for more information on this and other traffic laws concerning bicycles…
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/28/00817.htm&Title=28&DocType=ARS
I’ve always liked the part about it being prohibited to equip your bike with a whistle. Like if I have a plain old pea-whistle hanging from my handlebar on a string, I can get a ticket. I always think of the training scene in “Triplets of Belleville” where the old lady follows behind the bike-racing grandson keeping up just fine on a kid’s tricycle constantly tweeting on that whistle. *She’s* the one that should’ve entered the race, as she’s obviously in far better shape than he was.
I’ve always liked the part about it being prohibited to equip your bike with a whistle. Like if I have a plain old pea-whistle hanging from my handlebar on a string, I can get a ticket. I always think of the training scene in “Triplets of Belleville” where the old lady follows behind the bike-racing grandson keeping up just fine on a kid’s tricycle constantly tweeting on that whistle. *She’s* the one that should’ve entered the race, as she’s obviously in far better shape than he was.
[…] Ride of Silence got a lot of comments over the fact that they require a helmet to ride. I emailed the Tucson organizer asking whether […]
I have mixed feelings about the ride. I want to remind motorists to be careful and to honor fellow cyclists who have been injured or lost their lives. But what I want most of all is MORE cyclists and walkers using the streets. Emphasizing the small danger over the large benefits might not be the best thing.
I have mixed feelings about the ride. I want to remind motorists to be careful and to honor fellow cyclists who have been injured or lost their lives. But what I want most of all is MORE cyclists and walkers using the streets. Emphasizing the small danger over the large benefits might not be the best thing.
Here elaborates the cake-like.com matter not only extensively but also detailly .I support the write’s cake-like.com unique point.It is useful and benefit to your daily life.You can cake-like.com go those sits to know more relate things.They are strongly recommended by friends.Personally