David Martin <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<BCEF7D4E.1782D%
[email protected]>...
> On 11/6/04 3:12 pm, in article [email protected], "JohnB"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > However, I think the issue should be more along the lines of it allowing
> > them to do their bit to make cyclists safer, without cyclists having to
> > have working brakes.
>
> Or looking where they are going..
>
> ..d
It might be the case that the family are misguidedly doing something
they think will help other cyclists because they feel some guilt for
the boy being killed whilst riding an unsafe bike without a helmet.
They are however doing the least helpful thing by giving cash to
Behit.
A more helpful approach might be to use cash raised to pay a bike
mechanic and have regular free bike checks carried out at local town
centres. I believe many kids bikes are not maintained well if at all
as non-cyclists are used to cars with annual service periods.
I have first hand knowledge of 2 child cycle road accidents. One
caused by brakes so badly out of adjustment that the blocks almost
missed the rims altogether (compounded by the teenager riding off the
pavement into the road without looking). The girl hit the side of a
passing car with only minor bruises.
The second a serious head injury when a teenager lost control on a
steep downhill due to the poorly maintained brakes and hit a tree.
I know this is anectdotal but it is common sense that an
accident prevented is better than mitigating (or not) the consequences
of an accident.
Iain C
