Won't You Be My Nanny State?
Via Overlawyered, an elderly Citi Bike rider is blaming his injuries in a crash on the city for not making helmets mandatory for the NYC bike-sharing program.
Rebecca Harshbarger writes for the New York Post:
Ronald Corwin, a 74-year-old Connecticut man, says he lost his sense of taste and smell in the 2013 Manhattan crash, when he hit a concrete wheel stop on the East Side and landed on his head. He wasn't wearing a helmet at the time -- but says the city is at fault for not making him wear one.Mayor Bloomberg opposed 2012 legislation that would have made helmets mandatory and said pedaling without a helmet is safer than walking or driving.
The city comptroller had urged the city to support the legislation, noting that cyclists are not wearing helmets in 97 percent of crashes.
I biked all over New York City, and wore a helmet, even without the mayor or anybody making me. Why? Because, being over 4 years old, I recognize that heads smash like cantaloupes on pavement.
At a certain point in life, you need to be your own mommy.
If you can't be responsible for yourself at 74, you shouldn't be out riding a bike on the streets of New York; you should be in a nice facility where kind nursies will come around to help you fasten your diaper in the morning.
I dropped a hammer on my foot, and there was no warning label on the hammer to not drop it on my foot. Can I sue Estwing (for making the hammer), Home Depot (for selling such a dangerous item), and while I'm at it, Chase for approving the charge?
Oh, and Obama for not making sure such a label was required by law. (I just wanted to be the first to blame Obama for this one too)
drcos at January 9, 2015 6:50 AM
The ironic thing is that in most areas that do have biker helmet laws, people born before 1970 or so are usually grandfathered and don't have to comply. Where I live, it would be legal for me to ride a bike without a helmet, if I desired to do so.
Oh, and drcos: OSHA will be along shortly with new regulations mandating that all hammers be undroppable.
Cousin Dave at January 9, 2015 9:45 AM
The trick is to know that there is no hammer
Ltw at January 11, 2015 12:09 AM
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