Have we become a nation of kittys

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Saw this Saturday but got wrapped up in tree cutting so didn't post.
I grew up riding a bike. Rode one to and from shcool all the way through law school. Rode them to and from summer jobs. Rode them to friends houses. Never wore a helmet. Never got killed-not even once.
Saturday I see someone riding a bike wearing a helmet. On the helmet is a strobe light. He is wearing one of those highway worker lime green vests with the reflecting tape. This is in broad daylight.
I see little kids riding their bikes under the supervision of momma wearing their little helmets. What happened to the days when you and your friends rode in packs? When you had your little brother sitting on the handle bars with his feet on the axle screws (you learned real quick to keep your heels out of the spokes). They have taken the fun out of riding a bike for cryin' out loud!
We have become a nation of kittys.

 

[gamedic]

I ride a bike a lot. I ride for exercise and also commute to work. I wear a helmet and have a strobe on the back of my bike. The helmet and the strobe are a pain. The helmets hot and the strobe requires batteries, but I'm no longer 10 foot tall and bullet proof. I wear them for protection just like I carry a gun for protection. There are 10 times as many cars on the road as there were when I was a kid riding with my friends. Not only are the roads more crowded, but everyone driving those cars are distracted by cell phone calls and text messages and the fast food they are eating as the drive down the road. I would love to leave that helmet at home, but if I'm laid up hurt by some distracted driver then who will pay my bills and keep the family fed?

 

[tomtheturner]

Maybe a nation of "tigers" that represent the people that do not watch out for children on bicycles. I have watched numerous times of children being almost hit by a speeding car that was not being careful.

It is sad, but that is only one example of how "times have changed," and in this example not for the better.

Best Wishes,
Tom

 

[Alnamvet68]

The wussification of America has been happening for over 20 years. I still mountain bike, and I still don't wear the "gear". I can't even ride with the local clubs because they require members to wear helmets.

 

[doublesharp]

Rush calls it the chicification of America.

 

[Hillbilly77]

It's definitely a different world than it used to be.

I still have a road-rash scar on my lower back from wiping out on my bike over 20 years ago. No helmet, no knee pads, no bubble wrap, etc.
I got up and walked it off. I was more bummed out that my bike was broken.

I actually saw one of those hysterical "helicopter-mom" types panic that her son might be getting wind-chaff.
Wind-chaff?! Are you freaking kidding me?! Fresh air is gonna hurt the kid? >>SIGH<<

Yup, I think we might just be doomed.

 

[NCTexan]

I understand precautions when riding on the streets. However, I wonder when I see the frantic mom getting an NFL grade helmet on her 6 year old for his scooter in their own driveway.

There's prudent caution for today's realistic dangers... but it is now overwhelmed by the frantic urge to over protect. The latter is brought on by our "nanny state" government and the wussified main stream media.

 

[Lost Lake]

I fully agree Cajun....

We are being 'protected' by others that know what is best for us. I fight back! To heck with your plastic helmet! Let the air blow through your kid's hair and give them some grand memories like you had!

We had Jarts! Remember those lawn darts we'd throw way up in the sky and try to dodge as they came down? Fun right?

That protection has morphed from bike helmets to regulating super-size sodas, to 7 round magazines, and now I heard on the news that some law maker is pushing a bill requiring a set percentage of groceries bought with food stamps be officially deemed 'healthy food'.

No Nacho cheese for you lady, you've exceeded your lawful quota of snacks for the month. Please pick an item from the fresh fruit isle, but no kiwi or pineapple because the government just changed the nutrition ratings on those two fruits.

Over regulation..... What happened to the idea of freedom and live and let live?

 

[Old TexMex]

Kittys get eaten by coyotes.

 

[gm272gs]

I was going to post something here worth reading, but it was 7,211 characters. It was quite good, though.

 

[Old TexMex]

Maybe a nation of "tigers" that represent the people that do not watch out for children on bicycles. I have watched numerous times of children being almost hit by a speeding car that was not being careful.

It is sad, but that is only one example of how "times have changed," and in this example not for the better.

Best Wishes,
Tom

Tom, I get what you mean there. Seems like so many people just don't care about what they do in relation to other people. Willing to take risks, but more willing to risk other peoples life or freedom. I guess they figure it'll all be taken care of by the ones that make the rules...
We're livin' in a population that is, on many levels, unable to differentiate the real from fantasy. That's why serious, real threats are ignored while silly, unrealistic " dangers" are causing near panic behavior.
Wonder who stands to gain from the farce?

 

[wbraswell]

I have motorcycles. I ride with a helmet when I ride, it's my choice, I don't believe in helmet laws, I have picked my face up off the pavement. I am thinking of getting a bicycle, just a plain old 26" med. frame, wide seat type. I have a quiet enough neighborhood. I ain't wearing no pansy-*** helmet, period!

 

[M29since14]

I think we have sissified ourselves a bit in quite a lot of ways, but don't be ragging too hard on the bicycle helmets! The one you see below probably saved me at least from a concussion, and may have saved my life. One Sunday my friend says, "Let's ride out to the orchard." It was just sprinkling rain and a little cold that morning. We figured the rain would stop but when we left my thought was, wear the helmet, or wear a hat with a bill to keep the rain out of my eyes? For some reason, I went with the helmet.

The spill took a little skin off here and there but didn't break any bones, ruined a decent riding jacket too, but more important, it convinced me that wearing the helmet was not such a bad idea. Better cracks in the helmet than in your skull.

It's a different world these days. Traffic is heavier, people are more inconsiderate of others, and above all everyone is in such a heck of a hurry! I guess I have to disagree with you. I'm all for teaching the kids to wear helmets. The helmet won't save them from every incident. Riders still die with a helmet on their head. But it just might be able to save you. I'd like to stack the odds in my favor, if I can. My kids both grew up riding with a helmet, and were doing so before the one you see came to grief.

 

[BigBill]

Kittys get eaten by coyotes.

Not mine. After losing some to yotes I have learned not to trim there claws. So they can run up a tree if danger happens to be nearby. I haven't lost a cat since but there tearing up my moms old furniture i inherited. I need to make them a scratch pole next.

Cat language;

We had a blackbear in the yard one night and my cats were outside croutched low and looking in 360 degrees with there heads all the time. This is there danger is nearby sign. Plus the yard had a foul oder too. If were down wind of a bear we will smell it first before we see it. Now if you look your cat in the eye and squint at them they will squint back to you.

Orginal topic;

When my son wanted a dirtbike i figured getting him all the safety gear means we spend less time in the hospital with him. I was right.

 

[jaykellogg]

I no longer ride my bicycle. I was going down hill when my front tire dripped into a depression caused years earlier when someone didn't remove a tree stump and paved over it. I went over the handlebars and woke up in the hospital two days later with a broken eye socket, my left eye hanging out and brain fluid coming out. I had a broken collarbone and three broken ribs. Over the next few months my left side became paralyzed and then recovered. At one time I couldn't touch my left thumb and index finger. I had a helmet, but I was only going to ride two miles and throw the bike in the back of my truck and drive home. I didn't have the helmet on. I used to ride quite a bit. I did century weekends (100 miles). I have had people in cars deliberately force me off the road.

My grandson rode down over his steep front lawn and into the house. He had a helmet on. He spent two days in the hospital. He is fine now.

Wear a helmet or don't, but never criticize someone else who does.

 

[Rule3]

I rode a motorcycle all through College. I also rode dirt bikes.
Laid the motorcycle down going maybe 30 mph in the rain, had a full face shield and chin type helmet. Whole side was so scratched and the chin guard cracked. Whole side of my face would have been ripped off and a broken jaw or worse.

Rode a road bicycle for many years, damn straight I wore a helmet. No spandex but did wear gloves

I do not believe in helmet laws, it's up to the individual.

Yep, as a kid we some how survived. Used to hang on the back of cars on our homemade skateboards.

Plus be a MAN and don't wear safety glasses with power tools

 

[labworm]

When riding my bicycle, I always wear a helmet, my choice.
I guess I'll be in the wuss group.

When I was a kid I never wore a helmet.
But now, I like to protect my squash.

 

[bpeddicord]

Since I have a bad knee and can't jog as much as I used to, I turned to bicycle riding for additional exercise. I started wearing a helmet a couple years ago after some ignorant fool hit me in the back of the head with a plastic Pepsi bottle thrown from a passing truck. Even though it was almost empty, it hurt like hell (mostly from the truck doing over 60MPH as he threw it at me). I was so mad that I didn't even think of getting the tag number of the truck. There are so many people on the road texting, talking on the phone, playing with the GPS, and some who simply hate bicycles or motorcycles. So, now when I ride, I wear a bright vest, have a strobe light on the back of the seat, wear a helmet, gloves, and carry my M&P 9MM compact. Then there was the story about the car load of drunks who threw their beer cans, beer box, and paper bag which contained $120 in 20s at me; but that's a different and long story!

 

[carpriver]

I think that people now have to protect themselves from each other. People don't obey the laws, I most states the speed limit is a residential area is 25mph; people don't obey the speed limit. people don't think they have share the road with bikes and motorcycles. And people don't pay attention when they drive. People have forgot to respect each other, it have become a self centered world.

 

[Bill Bates]

I hate helmet laws and seatbelt laws but when I ride my bicycle I wear a helmet and I always wear my seatbelt and require my passengers to do the same. Being prepared for the possibility of something bad happening isn't being a wuss, it is being smart. I just think it should be a personal choice kind of thing, like concealed carry.

 

[Mule Packer]

About 40 years ago, I rode my bike to work. Then one afternoon, while peddling home, some pimply-faced teenage punk tried to "bump" me with his little "rice-grinder" pickup. Yep, swung clear over to the edge and then turned immediately in front of me, trying to clip me a bit. Caused me to peel off into the gravel on the side of the road. I saw him look in his rear-view mirror, laughing his head off. Trying to impress his girlfriend I guess. That's probably the closest I've ever been to "road rage." Probably a good thing I wasn't carrying.

Anyway, that cured me from riding my bike to work. Never did wear a helmet, pads, nose guard, or shin guards.

 

[cussedemgun]

Yep, I too remember - - -

They have taken the fun out of riding a bike for cryin' out loud! We have become a nation of kittys.

I too rode a bike for 1/2 my life before I saw a 'bike helmet' & that included a few miles on a motorcycle. In them days, there was no air bag or seat belt in my car either.

The last 50 years we have been trying to be our brother's keeper to the point of enough safety gear so as to idiot proof everything. Do you remember back when a driver or rider was responsible for their own safety?

We have gotten so good at protecting idiots from their own follies, it's no wonder we are becoming a nation of idiots.

I am for removing air bags & seat belts from cars & replace them with a shotgun barrel in the steering column. I bet drivers would remember their oldie time manners pert-quick.

Guarenteed to end road rage if nothing else!

 

[Xfuzz]

My niece was dressing her boys 6 and eight to ride thier bikes
while at my brothers place on the lake.
Country road ...no traffic.
She had em suited up like they were gonna go play hockey.
I laughed and she was P.O.ed.

I remember standing in the front seat of the car at about 6 years old...
Steel dashboard with the oldman blastin down Telephone Road swillin a beer......times have changed indeed.

 

[keith44spl]

Never let my youngin's ride bikes on the road.....Jest too darn dangerous!






.

 

[perrazi]

when i grew up riding biles,there was no such thing as helmets for bikers. did see a couple of junior high football players wereing theirs when riding bikes though. think that was because it was easiest was to carry it. we used to catch a ride on the back of the city buses too. if bike helmets existed elsewhere,they didn't in our town. this whole wussification process started longer ago than 20yrs too.

 

[vigil617]

Helmets are like self-defense pistols, my friends.

You never need one 'til you need one.

 

[tomtheturner]

We purposely bought a house that sits on a cul de sac, so that when our children were young they would have a safe place to ride their bikes, and big wheels. The neighbors were all considerate of each other and when anyone's children were on the street riding, playing ball, whatever everyone slowed way down, and were careful.

Now, 35 years later people from all over bring their children to our cul de sac to play, and ride their bikes, trying to find a safe place for their children. It is the only place in the area that is not a through street. We have to be very careful though. Delivery trucks {UPS} people who turn onto the street by mistake, teenagers can be speeding up our short street at any time.

Tom

 

[badge]

I don't like 'em but they will save you from a life of drooling and soiling yourself or worse. I feel it should YOUR choice to wear a helmet and not imposed upon you from the state. I wear a helmet ridin' the motor as I would have been forever changed had I not.

 

[chud333]

Broke my arm falling off a bike as a kid.
That is just part of growing up. I also
remember riding in the back window of dads
big old Chrysler on trips as it was a good place
to sleep and get away from my 2 brothers for
awhile. Safety knobs on doors and safety plugs
on electrical outlets on everything in the house
now are the norm. Trophies for all participants.
The dumbing down of America has been joined
by the same group that won't let kids be kids.
Sad state of affairs.

Chuck

 

[SW_shooter]

I would agree with the OP that it seems people are more protective and safety conscious than when I was a young lad. I grew up in a small midwestern town where I could ride my bike without a helmet. I rode all over town every day of the summer from home to the Municipal swimming pool to my friends homes and back to my own home. Never even worried about getting hurt. My friends and I did all sorts of crazy stunts on and off bicycles and safety was never a concern, we were young dumb and eager to have some fun.

Now it seems society is very safety conscious, (cajun may not appreciate this but...) I blame lawsuits and people suing for large settlements from companies who manufacture items. It seems every time a kid (or an adult) gets hurt they immediately blame the product or the manufacturer and sue. If and when I got hurt as a kid my dad would look at me and tell me how stupid I was for pulling such a dumb stunt (as he and mom fixed me up).