snell@utzoo.UUCP (Richard Snell) (03/11/86)
luria@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU (Marc Luria) writes <12160@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> >I'm looking to buy a bike to replace my bike that was >stolen last month. I decided on a mountain type bike since >I mainly ride in the city on bumpy roads, and I like the seating >position with the upright handlebars and smoother ride. Also, >I want to put a child seat on for my son, and feel more secure with >the fatter tires. I don't really see myself going for extended trips >in the wilderness, but would still like a sturdy bike. (...) jzold@bbncca.ARPA (Jamie Gold) responded with <1740@bbncca.ARPA> >Don't take this personally, but as an ex-cabdriver, I think >people who use baby seats on the back of bicycles are NUTS! >(...) I *know* using these seats is expeditious, but I still agree with Jamie Gold. The child has virtually no protection. Those crummy little helmets you can buy for a child will do little in an accident to prevent head trauma. When the helmet (assuming one is worn) hits the ground, it comes to an abrupt halt. The head then hits the helmet, and comes to a somewhat less abrupt halt. The brain then hits the inside of the skull, and gradually comes to a halt, after being bounced around. Neurological damage is rather easy to acquire. Such damage is permanent. Scrambled brains are forever. Your brain is pretty fragile. The brain of an infant in a bike seat is no less so. You may be the most defensive bicyclist in the world, but there are too many people in cars who might as well have found their driving license in a Crackerjack box. Feelings of security wrought by "fatter tires" will not change that. -- Name: Richard Snell Mail: Dept. Zoology, Univ. Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A1 UUCP: {allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!snell