A recent article from the Seattle Times details a new campaign being undertaken by bicyclist groups in the Seattle-area to abolish a King County law requiring helmet-wearing by bicyclists. The reason the groups cite for seeking repeal of the law is racism, explaining that minority cyclists are being victimized by “disproportionate enforcement of the law.” Systemic racism has seeped so deep into our institutions, and racism within police departments is so prevalent, a black or brown person can’t even ride their bike without worrying about a white supremacist cop jumping out of the bushes to pounce on them for not wearing a helmet.
Like so many accusations of racism from the left, the argument against bike helmet laws quickly becomes incoherent. Initially the contention appears to be that minorities are being targeted whereas white folks are getting off scot free. “Look, there’s a black guy riding a bike. Let’s get him!” After the assertion of disproportionate enforcement, the article claims, “Black cyclists received helmet infractions at a rate nearly four times higher than white cyclists.” There’s that problem of unequal outcomes rearing its ugly head once again. But then the issue of affordability is seamlessly inserted into the debate, with an interviewee of the article explaining, “Folks aren’t riding around without helmets because it’s fun. They’re doing it because helmets aren’t cheap.” So, wait a second, what’s the reason? Are black folks being given citations at a higher rate because cops are unfairly targeting them, or is it because they can’t afford helmets?
There are strong arguments to be made for opposing such laws, but playing the race card by pointing at some type of two-wheeled, watered down version of racist police brutality isn’t one them. And neither is the idea that helmets are unaffordable. Take a quick trip to Wal-Mart and you’ll discover that even the least-expensive adult bike available still costs about $100, where as a bike helmet can be purchased for under $15. If someone has enough money to procure a bike, logic would dictate they should also have enough money to buy a helmet.
The contentions of the anti-helmet law activists become even cloudier when we consider one of the solutions. In addition to ditching the helmet law, there should be a consideration of having the government provide the actual helmets. “Buy them a helmet and you won’t have to penalize them” advises the article’s interviewee. Therefore, consider the logic being promoted here: The government is racist because more non-white people get citations for going helmetless than white people, so let’s have that same government which we don’t trust buy us helmets. Make sense?
This latest claim of racist victimhood effectively illustrates three of the most blatant absurdities of leftist ideology:
- Individuals aren’t responsible for their own actions; ever
- The government is the solution to all of our problems, while simultaneously being the cause of all of our problems, and
- Taxpayer dollars are limitless, and probably grow on trees
Do opponents of the law present any evidence that the disparity in enforcement of the law is in any way based on race? Of course not, but then again they don’t need to produce evidence. And they don’t even attempt to make the case that black folks aren’t more likely to violate the law, because that point doesn’t matter.
If there are unequal outcomes, the cause is racism. The Derek Chauvin case for the death of George Floyd is just about complete, and not once has the prosecution given an iota of evidence showing that Chauvin’s actions were even remotely race-driven, yet the narrative of racism continues. The tragic death of Daunte Wright last week was clearly an accident with absolutely no indication that Wright’s race was a factor, yet the narrative of racism continues. And if black folks are more likely than white folks to get a ticket for not wearing a bike helmet, then that’s racist too; the narrative of racism continues.
In reality, we all make individual risk/reward assessments and make decisions based on those evaluations. In the case of bicycle helmets, there is an indisputable benefit of safety. If you get into a bicycle crash and you’re not wearing a helmet, your chances of a dramatic head injury increase exponentially. For some of us, the decision is easy. When I ride a bike, I wear a helmet. I have a big head, and when I put the helmet on I look like Kazoo from The Flintstones. But I’m not exactly a slave to fashion, so I don’t care, which means the only drawback to wearing a helmet is the comfortableness. I don’t find the helmet particularly uncomfortable, and I’ve got enough stuff to worry about without adding traumatic brain injuries to the list, so it’s a no-brainer. For others, however, they may feel differently. Maybe they have long-flowing hair they want to show off. Or maybe they find helmets to be itchy. Or maybe they just don’t like the government telling them what to do.
Whatever the reason, it’s an individual choice. We’re all responsible our own actions. Personal responsibility is fundamental, and that should be the approach to many such issues. If you don’t want to get COVID, you can get vaccinated, but there’s a potential risk with the vaccine. If you want to get rich quick, you can invest in certain penny stocks and hit it big, but there are potential risks in such investments. And if you want to ride your bike with the wind blowing through your locks and the sun shining on your cranium, there are potential risks there as well.
There’s an interesting irony with the anti-helmet law crowd’s solution of scrapping the law; they sound like libertarians, which tend to be the polar opposite of leftists. Similar to seatbelt laws, a true libertarian would never support a bicycle helmet mandate. It’s not government’s role to save us from ourselves. And herein lies the strongest argument for repeal. Let people make their own decisions; their own risk assessments. Individuals are responsible for their own actions.
The problem is that if you’re a race-baiting socialist, you only focus on outcomes. If the law is repealed, and more black folks wind up sustaining traumatic head injuries than white folks, that outcome will be racist and the government will have been at fault; systemic racism. If the government were to buy everyone ‘free’ helmets, and if black folks were still being disproportionately ticketed, then that outcome will still be unfair; systemic racism. Because when you view every aspect of society through the prism of race, and if you can simply point to anything you don’t like and call it racist without any accountability from a complicit media, nobody is responsible for their individual actions… provided they have the proper skin color.
Virtually every day we see episodes similar to this one in Washington; they are becoming disgustingly commonplace. Speedy Gonzalez is racist. Dr. Seuss is racist. Bicycle helmets are racist. The left has become so prolific at labeling innocent people and things as racist, the term itself has become utterly diluted. For the left, it seems, everything is racist. And if everything is racist, nothing is racist.
Photo by Jibanaskoo at Flickr.
Content syndicated from TheBlueStateConservative.com with permission.
First of all I did not know that there WAS a bicycle helmet law in Washington. (or is it just whacked out Seattle?) If they repeal this overreach of the safetycrats for bicyclists they should, therefore, do the same for motorcyclists. Let those who ride decide!!! It is, after all, racist to insist that anyone of color (red, white, black, brown or yellow) follow any of these stupid regulations. Now, the cops (at least the ones who still exist) can concentrate on enforcement of real infractions, such as burning, looting, and pooping in the streets.
I actually owe the existence of my left ear due to being smart and wearing a motorcycle helmet. Yes. My left ear! I was riding with a friend when a tire exploded. He managed to take the bike into a controlled slide (I have no idea how). I wear wearing a brain bucket and a leather jacket. Proper preventative care. Anything that buys me a few more seconds from cruel concrete is a good thing!
We must have skidded some eighty feet or so. Head hurt like hell, neck hurt like hell. There were scuff marks on the helmet, and the jacket was torn through and you could see my arm. Without a helmet, that might have been my ear. Without a jacket, that might have been my arm.
Safety is important. And vehicle insurance companies do charge fees based on the expectations that the driver / rider is driving and riding in a safe manner.
There are many many laws that are in place to protect us and keep us safe. Bike Helmet laws are one of them.
The matter is not if the government mandating helmets violates someone’s rights, but how much that right is going to cost the taxpayer. Not to provide a helmet but to tend to that person in the hospital, the rehabilitation services, the cost of the plate that needs to be installed to keep that brain from being squished out due to the piece of skull that had to be removed to east the pressure on the damaged brain.
Our medical system is becoming so advanced that we are saving a lot more traumatic brain injury patients than ever before. However the cost of saving that patient includes easing the pressure so the patient does not become more of a gork (yes that is the technical term for someone who can go from not being awake again…..ever, to someone who will never function as a normal or near normal human again……ever!). The cost of requiring a helmet motorcycle, bike, or otherwise is significantly less than the years of care required to support that non helmet wearing person.
Don’t care about the medical costs? Then how about the discomfort of all the people subjected to working or even just viewing the severely brain damaged lump of semi-human, recently functioning protoplasm. It’s an ugly sight and if you choose to not wear a helmet when doing any of those “dangerous” sports that require them, please be good enough to make sure your caregivers refrain from taking you out in public. I, for one have seen enough drooling, diaper wearing, contracted gorks who not only can’t feed themselves or even eat(feeding tubes look very uncomfortable and they stink) to last a lifetime!
So glad I am retired, but I will say anyone I know that is unwilling to protect the one thing that makes them human when risking their life(yes there are risks in everything however minimizing those risks is probably smart) is someone I would try to avoid, not because I don’t care but because I have seen the toll it takes on family and friends. How would you like having your 80 year old mother changing your diaper when you are 50?
Doesn’t matter, you won’t know so let others deal with it? Well you never know those drooling gorks may be alert and able to know they can’t move, talk, or even smile and I think that would be the greatest sadness knowing an extra 5 minutes to put on a helmet would make the difference between living and a long painful death where you know everything that is happening from crapping your pants to seeing the looks of disgust or pity on those around you and living a loving fulfilling life.
Be macho, I can now look away or walk in the other direction.
Repeal the law. A friend of mine is a transplant surgeon and his “mine” of body parts include young skateboarders, bicyclists, and backyard gymnasts. He indicated that more than 90% were not wearing protective equipment such as helmets. It is a personal choice for the individual to wear (or not) helmets. In a sadistic sense (my words), he hopes they do not force people to wear such, it makes the wait time for a donor much longer.
@Ivan Demoshits are the the party of TAKE!!! Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your speech from you – Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your ability to defend yourself, not from the criminal element but from THEM – Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your freedom to keep government out of your own home – Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your right to due process – Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your right of self incrimination away from us – Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your right of a speedy trial holding you in custody for as long as they want – Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your right of trial by jury with appointed pre-formed judgments of guilt (fourth amendment usurpation’s) by judges passing down opinions favorable to the Demoshits – Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your other rights not mentioned in the constitution at their direction – Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your guarantees by allowing individual states to USURP/SHRED Our Constitution to suit their own agendas. Demoshits will use their hatred to TAKE your money and give it to douchebags who don’t work or will NOT ASSIMILATE into the American Culture as DIRECTED by OUR Constitution!!!
The term racist (a made up word) was invented in 1927 by Leon Trotsky. The word was used to “intimidate” all dissenters of the communist party. Today LIEberal Demoshits use the term in an attempt to shut down those who disagree with them. As far as I am concerned they have over played this card
LIEberal Demoshits see racism where it doesn’t exist, fabricate it when they cannot find it, and ignore it within their own ranks!!!
The helmet laws are used-just as the WAR ON DRUGS- to disproportionately target blacks
If Kamala Harris was actually serious about Criminal Justice Reform-she would work to abolish drug laws
We went down the Prohibition Road before 1919- 1933-and it too us just 14 years to see we were doing
MUCH MORE HARM THAN GOOD. Treat all drugs like alcohol and cigarettes-yeah bad for you
but mostly NONE OF MY BUSINESS
Yeah good intentions-horrendous outcome.
LEO unions are quick to say “we just enforce laws” but they ACTIVELY lobby against criminal justice reform
Helmet laws fall into the same MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS CATEGORY
Yeah black people should push to abolish all drug laws-counter advertise and offer treatment
All those $150,000-$250,000 year jobs LEOs now hold-PRODUCING NOTHING NOTHING would be gone
all that Tax money could be put to better use
Oh I ride my bike every day-yes I wear a helmet-MY CHOICE MY BUSINESS
And no not wearing a helmet does not increase health care costs-in general serious accident-you die quickly
and life long medical costs and SS costs-are less-same story smokers-they die 7 years earlier-so their costs to GOV
our taxes-actually is less-in SS and in healthcare
You are an example of someone who acts like he knows something, but knows nothing, because he looks at it from a LEFTIST filter.
The War on Drugs is NOT a war on blacks. It is a war to SAVE Black Lives. Because who is one of the biggest groups affected by drugs? Blacks. Legalizing drugs won’t solve problems, it’ll just swap one problem for another. Just because a street drug is legal doesn’t mean the junkies can afford it. They’ll still be committing crimes to get their next fix. Which means, effectively, nothing has changed. The cop is still arresting the junkies for muggings and theft.
Helmets are essential. And while they don’t prevent deaths, there is the whole “ounce of medicine is better than a pound of cure.” You’re wearing a bike helmet and take a bad fall, its better to have a cracked bike helmet than a cracked noggin. So yes, insurance companies will look at you from the viewpoint of you’re not trying to be smart and stay safe.
Preventative care is always a good thing. Always.
And Prohibition had the right idea, they just went about it the wrong way. Think about just how many people die every day to drunk drivers. Alcohol is a problem, when its not used in moderation. Prohibition didn’t understand the idea of moderation.
The only area where we agree is we do need criminal justice reform. Our legal systems needs an overhaul. The system is too prone to corruption, because at the end of the day, the Police Department has ZERO protection from Corrupt Mayors and Unions have proven they’re not willing to protect the Cops from greedy, slimy, con artists who say the cops “hurt” them.
You’re just trying to make excuses, by using a liberal filter to say “its not your business.” Except that drunk driver who just hit Aunt Bertha is MY business. That junkie who mugged me, that is MY business. And what you’re proposing? It would Fix Nothing.
I have ridden , both a bicycle and motorcycle, and attribute my head still being attached to the helmet. The helmet is also referred to as a “skid lid!” “When you go down (sandy pavement, wet pavement, hardscrabble, etc.) the helmet, and the largest organ of your body, your skin, take the lion’s share of the injury. On a motorcycle, you wear rawhide leathers. On a bicycle, you wear a jersey. The jersey doesn’t prevent injury; however, the rider is not hurt as bad.
The same for the helmet. When I went down, the helmet absorbed the contact with the road. Had that been my head, I would now have a steel plate in my head if I had survived at all.
Wearing a helmet is a personal choice. If you choose not to wear a helmet, you should be able to demonstrate that you can pay ALL of your medical expenses!
I think they should do away with this law (except for kids under 10) that way we may be lucky and have some of the 7% fall and hit their heads. This may knock some sense into them. m. waters needs to ride bike all the time.
Wearing a helmet should be optional. If you think that you are such a good rider that nothing will ever pitch you off your bike or motorcycle and land on your stupid head, then go without one. In Florida we do not have to wear helmets on our motorcycles; however, the people who are not idiots and half brain dead, wear helmets. Your choice – your head!
As they say, pride comes before a fall. Some of the best stunt drivers in the world understand that things can and will go wrong. The smart ones? They make sure they have as many layers of protection between them and potential death as possible. The not so smart ones, they’re dead, crippled or maimed.
Tom, you should never ever go outside your safe house without encasing your empty skull for extreme fear of tripping on a cracked sidewalk, or stumbling on uneven ground while going on a hiking trip or engaging in some other life threatening risk like driving to the supermarket and not wearing your crash helmet. Normally adjusted people understand the risks in everyday activities but nevertheless engage in them. Without risk takers, trill seekers, pushing the boundaries we would not have had reckless people like the Wright brothers experimenting with their kite-plane, snowbound developers of Nordic skis, thrill-seeking inventors of skates/skateboards, etc. For the originators and their many aficionados over the decades/centuries the freedom to risk life and limb is a natural part of human derring-do. I did successfully survive my childhood, as all the kids in my block, by riding my bike hundreds of miles (also a paper boy) and not wearing a helmet but I would not have wanted any other way.
P.S. careful to keep your helmet on at all times, even at home because the roof could collapse on your delicate noggin.
could it be that there are more blacks riding bikes there . every thing is not racist. go buy one and obey the law . people just want the law to go away. but you better watch what you wish for. there are more whites killed by police than any other race. we understand if you put your self in that spot you get what you get.
As a police officer I’ve never enforced that law in my state, for either bicyclists or motorcyclists. Personally I’m a catholic Darwinist. Helmets prevent serious injury and death. If your don’t want to wear one that’s on you and your choice. Just make sure you sign your organ donor card so some nice person gets your much needed body parts.
Well said! I forgot about the Organ Donor Card! Their affairs should also be in order; unless, the rider wants to donate its estate to the state!
We need to provide bicycle helmets for all black people, either paid for by the government or by a charitable organization. It will protect them from head injuries when stopped and beaten by the systemically racist police.
I find it interesting that the police everywhere are systemically racist, even in Atlanta, GA, where the population is 52% black, the police force is 58% black, and since 1974 all the mayors and 7 of the past 9 police chiefs were black. Amazing how deep that systemic police racism is, isn’t it?
Let’s keep adding more parts to donor list
Ohh speaking of the lie called systemic racism. So I’ll out myself as older ,born in at the end of the 1960’s. The Democrats / social reform idiots would like us to believe there are more racist cops working now in 2021 than in the late 1960’s the decade of turmoil I was born in. This is where I love math, because it’s just a mathematical improbability that could actually be true. Especially with all these younger cops raised Sesame Street and Mr Rogers your ok I’m okay BS . The lie the media perpetrated and BLM wants you to believe.
I love the idea, helps with the whole thinning the population thing! Then we don’t need as many made up pandemics, and dangerous gene-therapy “vaccines” that don’t prevent transmission or infection.