INFORMEDdebate
YES
Should adult cyclists
from members:
Brant Handel
have to
Langley, BC
wear
Something as simple as putting on a
helmet to save your
life should be a
“no-brainer!”
helmets?
Sandi Neufeld
Winnipeg, MB
Most provinces require
children to wear helmets
when they ride bicycles.
Adults are role models
for children. Adults ride
in higher-risk situations. It
is the government, vis-a-vis taxpayers, who foots
the bill for these injuries.
Adult cyclists, by and
large, are given a choice
Rwel Cubid
Calgary, AB
as to whether or not
to protect their
heads. In December
Head injuries are
the most common
injury in Canada, and
helmets can reduce
this risk.
2006, the Ontario
Legislature passed a
motion calling on the
provincial government to make
NO
helmet use mandatory for all
cyclists in Ontario.
JUPI TER IMAGES
from members:
Proponents say that helmet use by
children has resulted in a significant decrease in
Bill Weston
Roxboro, QC
bicycle-related injuries, while bicycle-related injuries in
adults have gone up. Adult cyclists are more likely to ride
It should be
their choice.
in heavy traffic or less than ideal conditions, they add, so
helmet use is just as necessary for them as for children.
Opponents say the risks to adult cyclists are exaggerated and
that accident statistics have been manipulated to support the
arguments of those favouring helmet legislation. Head injuries,
Jonathon Penner
Steinbach, MB
they add, are far more prevalent among motorists, yet no one
has suggested that people be forced to wear helmets in cars.
Adults are old
enough to make
their own choices
and also suffer the
consequences.
What do you think?
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
• www.safety-council.org/info/sport/helmets.html
• www.cagecanada.ca/index.php?pr=Helmet_Laws
• www.carsp.ca/bicycle_helmets.htm
Terry Alfred
Nanaimo, BC
I don’t want to mess
up my hair.
14 The Costco Connection JULY/AUGUST 2007
