Safety First, unless it costs to much - Helmets

When it comes to bicycling it never ceases to amaze me how many bicyclists won’t take even the simplest and affordable precautions to help reduce their own risk of injury. Or the reasons they will come up with so they can talk themselves out of some of the most common sense means to protect themselves from injury.

I’ve ridden a bicycle prior to helmets being any everyday part of bicyclists lives. The first helmet I owned was a Bell Biker, this was the first commercially produced helmet for the everyday rider in 1975 and I bought one a few years after they came out. These were not the most attractive of helmets; it looked like you were wearing a white mushroom cap.

Now helmets come in a wide range of colors, styles, and prices. And yet the excuses for not wearing one continue to prevail. Here are some of the most common ones I have heard and my responses towards them.

Helmets are to hot to wear – Maybe back in the day of the Bell Biker, now helmets come so well ventilated there is no difference between riding without one. Besides what’s a little sweat compared to a brain injury

Do not provide any real protection – Really?? If you really want to find out ask an emergency room doctor or nurse. Broken bones will heal, brain injuries take very little to happen and you won't even realize how badly you are hurt. Lets remember Natasha Richardson died while skiing on a beginners slope when she bumped her head. Broken bones may need only a few weeks to heal followed by a few months of physical therapy. Brain injures can require hundreds of thousands in medical bills, years physical therapy, and can remain permanent. Ask yourself this do you have one million dollars and friends and family who are willing to devote years of support while you are in therapy helping you do the simplest of tasks, like eating with a fork or tying your shoes.

I can’t afford one – With companies like Wal-Mart selling helmets you can easily afford to buy one.  Still can't afford one, bring your own coffee instead of going to Starbucks or bring your own lunch for a week. The money saved will easily allow you to purchase a helmet.

I am not going to get hit by a car – In all my years of bicycling getting hit by a car has been the least of my worries. There are plenty of other significant factors that can contribute towards an accident whether you are riding on a street or trail. Including: Debris, potholes, trolley tracks, pedestrians, dogs on leashes, children, and other cyclists.

If you drive a car and wear seat belts wearing a helmet while bicycling won't kill you.

A Call to Arms – After Action Report

Councilman Bill Greenlee has agreed to table his bill requiring a vote from the Philadelphia City Council on the installation of bicycle lanes, for the moment. While consistency and transparency was the battle cry of Council members Green, Greenlee, and DiCicco when it came to installing new bicycle lanes. Obfuscation and opacity was the process used in the attempt to move this bill forward.

The Time Line

This bill was presented Thursday May 26, on the verge of the Memorial Day weekend in the hopes that no one would notice it. When the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia did, the bill was moved to a fast track vote for June 2, announced on May 31, again trying to take advantage of the Memorial Day weekend. When that didn't work the bill was moved from being last on the agenda to the middle of the agenda, during the committee meeting.

The Response

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia should be commended for making effective use of e-mail ad social media to get the word out that created over 400 e-mails to Streets Committee members. As well as Twitter to update and alert anyone planning on attending the meeting on June 2.

The Committee

During the actual meeting Council Members Green, Greenlee, and DiCicco were dismissive and contemptuous of anyone who came to speak, including the representative from the mayors office. 60 of the people who came to speak were not considered part of the general public and were instead referred to as members of the BCGP. DiCicco claimed he only got negative comments about the bike lanes and Green said bike lanes have nothing to do with traffic or public safety.

What would I do?

Its only a matter of time before Councilman Frank DiCicco finds another patsy. This is his second attempt to dismantle bicycling infrastructure and try to pass punitive bills against cyclists and I'm sure it won't be his last. I still believe that in the future any response should include a Courteous Mass protest ride past the home of a bills sponsor and includes a stop at a nearby post office for everyone to mail letters to the council members involved. Along with a media alert to ensure that their actions can't be hidden from the public.

A call to arms

A call to arms

In 2009 Philadelphia City Councilmen Councilman Frank DiCicco attempted to introduce a bill that would have levied excessive fines and bicycle confiscation, far in excess of what automobile drivers might have to face. In addition requiring everyone owning a bicycle who is over the age of 12 to register their bicycle with the police department at a cost of $20.00 per bicycle. Fortunately nothing came of it.

Now City Councilman at Large Large William K. Greenly has decided to make it next to impossible to create bicycle lanes. By introducing a bill that would require Philadelphia's City council to approve any future bicycle lanes, co-sponsored by Council members Darrell Clarke and Frank DiCicco. It appears that bicyclist and bicycle infrastructure have become the political low hanging fruit of the Philadelphia City Council an easy way to score points with local voters while achieving no benefit. Requiring City Council approval of all new bike lanes is bad policy because City Council approval is not needed for new vehicular travel lanes, crosswalks or bus stops.

Do you really want something that will have long term impact to the city of Philadelphia in the hands of a group of people who are only concerned about the next election so they can keep their jobs instead of qualified traffic engineers. Philadelphia has bad track record with it's elected officials and government agencies. We've seen city council members abuse the DROP program and the Philadelphia Housing Administration and the school system are both under federal investigation for abuse of power and misappropriation of funds. The Philadelphia City Council keeps trying to engage in brinksmanship almost like a game of Russian roulette in The Deer Hunter and intimidate bicyclists throughout Philadelphia.

So what would I do?

While the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is asking people to e-mail City Council members, what is really needed is a visible public response, one that can not be ignored. I would create a Courteous Mass Ride, a group ride that obeys the traffic laws so the ride becomes a parade instead of peloton. Each rider would bring a letter addressed to Councilmen William Greenlee, Darrell Clarke and Frank DiCicco. it would depart from City Hall the route would pass by Councilman Greenlee's home and then over to the post office at 900 N. 19^th St. in Philadelphia where the letters would be mailed. If you take this approach it could take 15 to 30 minutes for the entire mass to pass his house and with advance notice to the media would make a great photo opportunity. Similar rides could also be created for the bills sponsors.

Any volunteers who want to annoy some sacred cows?

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