I say unusual in the sense of Japan seems to be the only one to have solved the issue of how do you transport 2 kids on a bike not with "big box" like the dutch and subsequently the entire western world but via 2 seats, they're apparently very popular over there as a means of transportation.

      • 7bicycles [he/him]
        ·
        1 year ago

        It’s drilled into every child

        yeah that must means it's a great idea then, otherwise why would we be doing it?

          • 7bicycles [he/him]
            ·
            1 year ago

            Yes? Do you think Big Helmet is propagandising people to wear a helmet?

            Why do you think neither the Dutch nor Japanese wear cycling helmets much, bud? It's not big helmet, but it is a very convenient victim blaming excuse for dead cyclists.

            There’s a significantly higher chance of survival and lower chance of brain injury when wearing a helmet while cycling. Moving at 19-26 km/h is a high enough speed to be at risk of brain injury.

            Yeah but people don't just keel over on a bicycle for no reason. There's significant risk of brain injury if you just fall over when walking, are we expecting people to wear helmets walking now?

            There's a reason people crash on bicycles by themselves and it comes down to shitty infrastructure, not personal ineptitude.

            Then there’s the risk of collision with cars.

            your average styrofoam bicycle helmet is tested for low speed self accidents, not collisions with cars. there's a reason motorcyclists dont wear them, it's not gonna do anything if you get hit by someone going 50kph in a 1,5 ton vehicle.

            Are you arguing that there is no risk involved in cycling?

            No, of course not. But the risks inherent for cycling for transportation are compareable to walking and the ones for cars are much higher due to higher speeds, but no one ever gets into their mind that a bit of styrofoam is gonna help there. It's a nonsensical argument to make. I wear a helmet, it's not like I'm opposed to them, but I do this because the infrastructure is shit, a problem which japan doesn't really have in that regard.

              • 7bicycles [he/him]
                ·
                1 year ago

                You keep coming back to the fact that people already have straps and airbags in the car, but car accidents still cause lots and lots of head injuries to people. So they should wear helmets, right? You could mitigate that. If not, why not?

            • dumpster_dove [he/him]
              ·
              1 year ago

              I can say from personal experience that the cycling infrastructure in Japan is kinda shit, but of course it depends greatly on how far you're going and what area you're in.