That's the opinion of Vancouver's City Council, which has just released a survey on various hazards around and about Vancouver, including (laughably) cyclists not wearing a helmet. While I think it's dumb to get on your bike without head protection, it certainly isn't on par with smoking crack, committing property crime, or oh, I don't know, driving your SUV in a reckless manner that endangers other drivers, pedestrians, and yes, cyclists.
But my ranting is strictly amateur hour compared to my hardcore cyclist friend Jen, who is guest posting her opinion on this latest bit of bike-hating nonsense from Vancouver's enlightened despot rulers. Jen's rant begins....
I can not believe that "cyclists not wearing helmets" is listed as a public disorder item! Who designed this survey? How could this possibly be on a list that includes open drug use and aggressive panhandling? It is difficult for me to even take this seriously - or the current council if they were involved in this survey design.
I live in South Granville and have chosen to ride my bicycle everywhere I go. It is not because I am poor or don't have a license, it is because I have a social conscience and I am very concerned about our environment and the current “car culture”. Everyday I either witness or are subjected (and I MEAN everyday) aggressive or ignorant people in cars. These people are DANGEROUS. They could KILL some innocent person. And the worst part is I don't even get the feeling that this is a big deal for many of them. I often witness people in cars run stop signs, make right hand turns at red lights without stopping first, turning left at intersections and cutting off cyclists that are going straight and have the right of way...etc. etc. These people are OFTEN on cell phones, chatting away, or are simply just acting either out of aggression or stupidity. What is the city doing about these people? What about the people that have ultra loud mufflers on their cars that wake entire neighbourhoods at night as the rip up the streets? How can you seriously compare this to someone that has made the PERSONAL choice not to wear a helmet? These people are not hurting anyone - even themselves! I do wear a helmet, but sometimes I forget to bring it with me. I can not believe that this could be considered and act of public disorder!
I would also like to say that I have been an avid cyclist since I was 8 years old and have only been wearing a helmet since I turned 32. Amazing isn't it. That NO ONE was impacted negatively by this, that I didn't injure myself or anyone else. Funny thing is, I know an ENTIRE generation of people my age that share the same story. It is no doubt incredible all of us didn't perish long ago due to not wearing our helmets. We are however noticing higher levels of cancer and asthma than ever before. Hmmm, could this be due to naked-headed cyclists or pollution from automobiles!
Finally, I would like to address the fact that cyclists are constantly vilified. While I admit there are aggressive cyclists, they are few and far between and very unlikely to kill someone with their bicycles. I have been yelled at because I am not wearing a helmet, have not come to a full stop at stop signs, and occasionally have had to ride on a sidewalk to get to or from the bike lock up. I would like to note that NONE of these cases put me or ANYONE else in any danger. Furthermore, not one single person was ever threatened by my actions nor was I ever abusive. Why, I must ask, do cyclists who are simply trying to make a positive difference in a crazy world have to put up with constants threats, negative comments and abuse? In my mind, cyclists should be thanked. Thanked for taking the time and effort which means there is one less car out there pumping out noise and pollution and that everyday there is just that one little tiny spec more of clean air for everyone to breath. Wouldn’t it be nice if we once again could live in a world where cyclists didn’t have to wear helmets to give them nominal protection against drivers? The scariest drivers are the ones that seem to think that the designated bike routes are simply made for them to SPEED through so they can miss the “rest of the traffic” and the lights! THIS item should certainly be on the list of items of most concern regarding public disorder.
I will end this rant with a story about a family from California that I briefly met this summer down at Granville Island. They were obviously upper class, wealthy American tourists and they were so impressed with the bike routes and how many people they saw cycling around our city with so much “natural beauty”. (I wasn’t even on a bike when I met them so they had no idea that I was a cyclist myself) What they couldn’t believe was the literal zoo of traffic that they encountered on Granville Island. They said it was unbelievable that such a “progressive” city would allow so many cars in this small space when it would be so much nice if it were “car-free”. They didn’t mention how shocked and disgusted they were at how many people weren’t wearing bike helmets however….
The situation on Granville Island has amazed me as well. I witness the cue of cars puking out exhaust while the occupants sit frustrated in their seats, glaring at the next guy that is also searching for a parking spot. No wonder these people hate cyclists. When they see me sail by on my bike with the wind in my hair, coast up to a lock up, hop off, and head in the market – it must leave them with a disquieting feeling that they likely just aren’t willing to confront.