Why isn't there a mandatory helmet law for bicycle riders under the age of 16?

Question

With the whole "Big Ben" controversy still ringing in our ears, I was shocked to find out that Arkansas and 12 other states do not require children under the age of 16 to wear helmets when riding their bicycles.

Over 85% of the people killed in 2003 on bicycles weren't wearing a helmet. I realize more people were killed on motorcycles, but isn't one death of a child or loved on on a bike just as important?

I will be contacting my elected state officials to propose such a law, and encourage all of you to do the same....

Answer 1

Darwin's a real bastard. Cars weigh 2,000 pounds and up, and some can achieve really high speeds, and their brakes aren't magic. If you die in the process of sailing over the hood of a car, no little foam hat is going to help you. If you want safer bicycling, petition your city council to support building bike paths, and reforming driving laws to give more consideration to bicyclists, and preventing idiots from getting a license in the first place.
That'll do your average bicyclist more good than a suit of armor...

Answer 2

Because a lot of people, like myself, don't think the government should be parents to children. I rode my bike growing up and never wore a helmet, nobody did, and everyone's fine. I mean, what else? Are we going to pass a law that says kids have to wear helmets when sledding, it's more dangerous than riding a bike. WHat about if they're wrestling around, should we pass a law that htey have to wear mouthpieces?? it's not the government's job to pass a million laws to keep people in line.

Answer 3

It’s a legitimate use of state power to mandate that cars have working brakes because if my car has poorly functioning brakes, I risk the lives of others and I have no right to do so. If I don’t require my kids to wear a helmet this should be well within my rights. As to the idea that a lack of helmet use is a growing public health issue that costs us all billions of dollars every year, that is not a problem of liberty. It is a problem of socialism. No human should be coerced by the state to bear the medical expense, or any other expense, for his fellow man. In other words, the forcible use of one person to serve the purposes of another is morally offensive.
I personally wear a helmet each time I ride; it’s a good idea. However, because something is a good idea doesn’t necessarily make a case for State compulsion. The justifications used for helmet laws easily provide the template and soften us up for other forms of government control over our lives and our children.
For example, my weekly exercise routine consists of two days strength training and three days aerobic training. I think it’s a good idea. Like helmet use, regular exercise extends lives and reduces health care costs. Here’s my question to you and others who sanction the helmet laws: Should the government mandate daily exercise for the same reasons they cite to support mandatory helmet use, namely, that to do so would save lives and save billions of health care dollars?
If we accept the notion that government ought to protect us from ourselves, we’re on a steep slippery slope. Obesity is a major contributor to hypertension, coronary disease, and diabetes, and leads not only to many premature deaths but also to billions of dollars in health care costs. Should government enforce, depending on a person’s height, sex, and age, a daily 1,400 to 2,000-calorie intake limit? There is no dietary reason to add salt to our meals. High salt consumption can lead to high blood pressure, which can then lead to stroke, heart attack, osteoporosis, and asthma. Should government outlaw adding salt to meals?

Answer 4

I really wish you wouldn't do that! If you want your child to wear pads and a helmet and what ever other safety gear is out there then fine, but let me decide what is right for me and mine. I am not saying it is a bad idea, just not something the government needs to get into, aren't they involved enough already?

Answer 5

Its a good idea and is a law in my area but you have to get the police out of the donut shops or off their cell phones ( that they're not supposed to be using while driving) to enforce the laws. Our State legislature makes laws that are difficult or impossible to enforce. IE the NYS Cell phone law.

Answer 6

I'm 17 i dont ride a bike anymore but i did alot when i was young and i never hurt my head and neither has anyone i know so i don't see it as a big problem. It should be the parent's job to enforce.

Answer 7

In New York, there is such a law, but it is only enforceable if the parents can actually see the kid. Once the kid is out of view, there is nothing that can be done.

Answer 8

Its a good idea. Here in Australia people of "all" ages are required to wear a helmet.

Answer 9

Wouldn't it be easier just to prohibit them from riding bicycles ? or ban bicycles ? or ban 16 year-olds generally ?

C'mon folks, let's get the safety factor up to 100% !!

Answer 10

Because there head and brain are still soft and the might injory it and cause the to became disibalite and things that are not good.