Years ago some children were killed on bikes.  So the governments, state and federal, passed laws that required children to wear helmets when they rode bicycles.  The laws were of course supported by helmet manufacturers but they had unintended consequences.  The laws were fought by the folks who oppose government imposed rules but in this case they lost.

What were the results.  Parents perceived that if a helmet was required to ride a bike then riding a bike must be dangerous so; many less children’s bicycles were sold.  And as a result many less children could enjoy the freedom of riding around.

Later they passed laws that required adults to wear bicycle helmets and since the state had now taken responsibility for protecting children we now have taken teeter-totters and merry-go-rounds out of playgrounds and they are working on removing the swings.   Leave us alone.

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