California Supervisor Chris Norby likely should have hit the verbal brakes before his let loose with an astonishing recent comment.
Addressing the issue of childhood obesity at a Board of Supervisors' meet after a “Conditions of Children” was read, Norby said he would like to see more children exercising. But he believes part of the problem is that kids are under age 18 are required to wear helmets.
It's a wild opinion. Wonder what the politician thinks about childhood brain injuries?
Roman Mica at www.everymantri.com has the full report. It's an unbelievable tale.
Comments
Really not a "wild" claim at all. The more you add rules, regulations, and restrictions, the less likely kids (and adults) are to want to do it.
Mandatory helmet laws have a place, but maybe only until 12 or 14.
The link from helmet compulsion to reduced cycling uptake and subsequent higher obesity levels is well documented. Much less easily proven is the link between increased helmet use and reduced brain injuries; some small scale studies show a drop but the large scale data from Australia and New Zealand (where helmets were made compulsory) shows no statistically significant change.
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