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The art of politics, and its unintended consequences
Economic vs political decision making For those frustrated after dealing with uncompromising bureaucrats and politicians who refuse to acknowledge the damage they have caused, the field of economics can explain how such disasters can happen, and the built-in incentives that prevent corrective action. There is a strange discrepancy between economic and political decision making, that…
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A funny parody of a fearmongering helmet ad
Listen to this. Contrast it to the original ad. A bicycle activist has created an amusing parody of a fearmongering ad commissioned by a government agency to promote bicycle helmets. The ad makes this extraordinary claim: “Don’t think that little ride to the shops warrants wearing [a helmet]? Well I’ve got news for you. Even on a short ride…
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Study reveals increased accidents and injuries after helmet law
Abstract The injury rate has tripled since the helmet law. By increasing the risk of accidents, helmets have made cycling more dangerous. blank A recent study reveals a steady increase in cycling injuries after the helmet law. Between 1991 and 2000, arm injuries doubled (indicating a doubling in accidents), while head injuries increased by 40%. A 1996 cycling…
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Trying to deny that the helmet law reduces cycling
Abstract Cycling was rising in Australia by 10% per year until the helmet law. Afterwards, it dropped by 30%. A government commissioned “study” has misrepresented a bicycle rally as a revival in cycling. blank Bicycle travel in Australia was increasing by 10% a year from 1986 to 1989, before the helmet law. After the helmet law, surveys showed cycling…
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Misguided doctors or marketing agents?
Abstract In the 1980′s, Bell, a helmet manufacturer, was keen to expand the market for bicycle helmets, its most profitable product. It approached the Snell foundation and offered funding for research on bicycle helmets. The Snell foundation chose avid helmet lobbyists to conduct this “research”. The helmet lobbyists initial “research” claimed that helmets reduce 85% of…
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My helmet saved my life!
Abstract After the helmet law, many cyclists insisted that their helmets had saved them. Yet cycling injuries tripled. Why? Because helmets increase the risk of accidents. What the data tells us Here are some stats on cycling death & serious injury for children in NSW, before and after the helmet law. Two years after the…