Every hour or so I scan my feeds that provide me with cycle information on any known or relative subject, including ones that shouldn’t see the light of day. But as with most other things, they do.
Paradoxically, it’s good that it’s above ground, so you can spot it and report about it. Case in point: a UK online petition that was submitted at the official site of the Prime Minister’s Office, “to Make it LAW that bicycle helmets should be compulsary for all riders.”
This ill-informed petition creator/woman/civilian named Joanne Connell-Davies goes on to say:
“I believe this would prevent many serious injuries. Most children see wearing a helmet as uncool. However, if it was LAW and everyone had to wear one, then they would have to also. This would take any embarrassment away from wearing one (emphasis is mine). Wearing a helmet, is equally as important, as wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle. It saves lives.”
She already has some 4 co-signers! I’m outraged! Nah..not really, just saddened. Dear UK readers of Amsterdamize, if you happen to know Joanne, please refer her to me, or do your own bidding, will you? But, let’s show how civilized cyclists are, ok? No need to put that muzzle on her just yet…we have until March 8th 2009 to change her ways. Or tell her to go shop for some highly fashionable, hardly embarrassing helmets. It will safe face, both ways.
Joanne, if I get to be so lucky and you’re reading this, please, for the sake of everyone around you (who believe in choice, common sense, empirical evidence aka science and know how to differentiate between emotions and facts), please, prettyplease-with-a-cherry-on-top, go here, here, here or here…or here, here, here or here…to educate yourself and see what I’m talking about.
Cheers big ears.
Speaking of which, I wonder how Boris Johnson would respond to this ludicracy, but I think I know…
Update: at least the Prime Minister’s Office is taking note(s):
Allow me to partly strangle and paraphrase U2’s “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” and sing along with me:
Yes…
I cant believe the news today
Oh, I cant close my eyes and make it go away
How long…
How long must we sing this song?
How long? how long…Cause tonight…we can be as one
Tonight…Broken dreams in childrens minds
Zealous moms roam all the streets
But I wont heed the battle call
It puts my back up
Puts my back up against the wallHelmets, bloody helmets
Helmets, bloody helmets
Helmets, bloody helmets (helmets bloody helmets…)
(allright lets go!)And the battles just begun
Theres many lost, but tell me who has won
The trench is dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apartHelmets, bloody helmets
Helmets, bloody helmetsHow long…
How long must we sing this song?
How long? how long…cause tonight…we can be as one
Tonight…
Tonight…Helmets, bloody helmets (tonight)
Tonight
Helmets, bloody helmets (tonight)
(come get some!)Wipe the tears from your eyes
Wipe your tears away
Wipe your tears away
I wipe your tears away
(helmets, bloody helmets)
I wipe your blood shot eyes
(helmets bloody helmets)Helmets, bloody helmets (helmets bloody helmets)
Helmets, bloody helmets (helmets bloody helmets)
(here I come!)And its true we are immune
When fact is fiction and tv reality
And today the millions cry
We eat and drink while tomorrow they pryThe real battle yet begun (helmets bloody helmets)
To claim the victory Cycle Chic won (helmets, bloody helmets)
On…Helmets, bloody helmets
Helmets, bloody helmets…
WHAT TO DO NOW?