The Jolly
I know that bike helmets are essential and absolutely prevent head injuries when a child falls off a bike (assuming it fits properly and buckled, etc.)
But would a kid stand a chance if hit by a car and wearing a helmet?
In case your're wondering this question was prompted by an 8 year old being killed on his bike yesterday. He was riding with his father but he had no helmet on when a van struck him. :'(
Really? A helmet only protects the head? Well who whuda thunk it?
For chrissake, I know that. He died of a head injury. I'm asking if helmets are designed to protect in a big impact like that.
It's only dubious to a moron. I have my own child and these issues are important to me.
Answer
Sorry to hear of the accident, that's sad. I'm not good at delivering bad news, so please bear with me on this
Whilst it's tempting to say that "a helmet would have saved his life", it's not always the case. Bike helmets are made of polystyrene foam which is supposed to absorb some of the impact - essentially flattening the roundness of the head to make a bigger contact point at the point of impact, thus reducing the forces on that part of the head. As bicycling is an aerobic exercise (as opposed to motorcycling, which involves you sitting on the motorbike and not much else, at least activities-wise), a bicycle helmet needs to be ventilated or we'd overheat and pass out.
A bike helmet is supposed to be able to reduce injuries to a person falling off their bike from a height of <4 feet at a speed of <12mph. This essentially means a kid falling off his/her bike without any additional forces being exerted, as you've mentioned.
In the case of a van hitting the kid, this immediately takes the helmet out of its certification zone. This hurts to say this, but it's unlikely that the helmet would have made much difference given how they're designed to operate. One other thing to be aware of is that many helmet-certification tests allow the helmet to be taped to the test rig as well as strapped how it should be worn. This is clearly not something we'd do, and nor are we supposed to do it. When independently tested by a UK consumer magazine, many helmets failed to meet the standard (in this case EN1078, for Europe) they were supposedly certified to.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
are eletrical bikes legal ro drive>?
ernestmisy
I saw a cool electric bike you can also pedal, Is it street legal do I need Insurance and plates?
Answer
In 2001, the U. S. Congress passed Public Law 107-319 which exempts electric bicycles under 750 watts/20 mph from the definition of a motor vehicle only "For purposes of motor vehicle safety standards...", which means that the manufacturers of these bicycles don't have to meet federal equipment requirements, and are instead governed by the manufacturing requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act. There is no mention of exemption from other federal, state, and local traffic laws, or exemption from the definition of a motor vehicle for other purposes.
Various states have passed their own laws. California law states that no driver's license, license plate, nor insurance is required. You must be 16 years or older and wear a standard bicycle helmet. Electric bikes are subject to all the rules of the road, and additional laws governing the operation and safety of electric bicycles may be extended by state or local governments. It's legally a bicycle, so you can use it wherever and however you can use a bike. Washington law is similar.
If you live in a state that lacks basic electric bike legislation, consider this. Although riding your electric bike may be illegal, so is jay-walking. Generally speaking, 1) police don't know the exact rules, 2) police expect electric bike and scooter riders to wear a bicycle helmet, 3) most electric bikes look to the casual observer like ordinary bikes, and 4) if you get ticketed, just go to court and plead your case; judges usually let you off with a warning. And start working your state legislature to enact an electric bicycle law similar to California's.
Here's the Florida law:
(2) BICYCLE.--Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. No person under the age of 16 may operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle.
In Illinois, however, the e-bike limit is 25mph. Again it's treated like a bicycle, so you can legally use it on bike trails. But this shows that rules vary from state to state. Check your state laws.
For other states, check the Cornell University Law website for traffic law (including pedestrian laws) for most U.S. states or your state laws.
In the UK, an e-bike must conform to the EAPC regs, which means: To clear any confusion regarding the UK taxation of Electric Motor Cycles (Bikes and Trikes), the regulations are that Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC), including those fitted with auxiliary electric motors, are exempt from all registration and licensing requirements provided that the following conditions are met:
In the case of a bicycle, its kerbside weight must not exceed 40kgs, or in case of a tricycle it must not exceed 60kgs (including batteries)
Both bicycles and tricycles must be fitted with pedals by means of which they can be propelled.
The output of the electric motor fitted must not exceed 0.2kW in the case of a bicycle and 0.25kW for tricycles and it cannot propel the vehicle when it is travelling at more than 15mph.
There must be a switch that, when released by the rider, cuts the power to the motor.
Conform to these regs and you can ride an electric bike without needing a licence, tax disc, insurance, etc, etc. Otherwise, it should be registered as a motor vehicle, and you'll have lots of fun paperwork to deal with - and you'll have to wear a proper motor cycle helmet.
In Quebec, Canada regulations require kids to be 14+ years old, with a valid moped license (basically proof of street smart). Adults don't need anything, but all must wear a bike helmet.
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Are there special insurance requirements?
No insurance is required to ride an e-bike. However, if you want to insure it against theft, check your current homeowner's insurance policy. An electric bicycle may be covered. To determine coverage, check with your insurance company or agent.
Is an electric bicycle considered a zero emission vehicle?
Yes. While some communities only define ZEV's as car replacements, others are looking for alternative ways to reduce sources of mobile pollution. Electric bikes have qualified for electric vehicle credits in some communities. Check with your local environmental management group for clarification. Every time you take a short trip on your electric bicycle rather than a car, you delete a cold start that would have added a significant amount of pollution.
What are the laws regarding mopeds?
Most motor vehicles must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Motorized bicycles (mopeds) are exempt from registration (sec. 4020), but must display a special plate issued by the department (sec. 5030). EABs do not even have to display the plate (sec. 24016(b)(3)).
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