An Old Argument

AN OLD ARGUMENT

Seldom has an article generated more response than did the story about helmet research in the April issue. We can’t remember when we received more letters, or had a clearer division of reactions.

Other researchers and safety people and riders with personal or close experience with helmets liked the story. Some readers didn’t agree with the methodology of the study, and some didn’t like a few of our phrases. Fair comments, all.

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What surprised us, though, were letters which didn’t make the distinction made in the story, that whether helmets work is a separate matter from whether all riders should be required to wear helmets.

Separate questions. To oppose drunkenness is not to favor prohibition. To suggest that smoking is not a healthy habit is not to make cigarettes illegal.

For the record, as a matter of policy, this magazine opposes mandatory helmet laws.