Wear a helmet or not?

[Nob]

Re:

In Victoria Australia it law that you must wear a recognized cycle helmet no matter who you are when riding a bike on roads or trails so is a non issue as to whether you should or not wear one.
With more cars on roads & more inexpierenced drivers on the roads it pays to protect yourself these days when riding a bike.

 

[legrandefromage]

Cycling as a passtime dropped in Australia after that law was introduced.

Riding out on my own, I've never worn one but as before, in groups or anything competitive I have one available.

And as before, the helmets are tested in a very limited way, its on the various threads, under certain circumstances they can actually add to an injury.

I could slip off a curb walking to the shops or get hit on the head many unique and interesting ways but while its still a choice I wont wear one.

Cycling is not dangerous but the danger comes from those who want it to appear to be and monetise something either through litigation/ ambulance chasing or by selling products that are not really fit for purpose.

The sights shouldnt be aimed at the cyclist for what they do but at the behaviour of other road users.

They are the ones in charge of tonnes of metal, adverts seem to encourage crap driving with vehicles darting in and out of traffic, apps and screens to distract the driver from the road around them.

Heres where to direct the education. But no, its protect the driver and attack the cyclist at every available opportunity

Other countries seem to do a good job of it, why cant the UK?

 

[Pionir]

That's one of the most valid points. Spend whatever you need to spend in order to get something comfortable. Cheap is OK as is expensive

 

[Pionir]

LGF: sorry, I disagree. My two biggest crashes were both my fault and didn't involve anyone else. To say cycling isn't dangerous is just wrong.

I agree other cars make it more dangerous than it needs to be, but it doesn't mean we can't try to make it a little safer for us.

As I said before, it's your prerogative to wear or not wear one, but don't try and convince me it's all a conspiracy to sell me a crash helmet!

 

[legrandefromage]

As usual, the focus is on what you want to read an not what the point was intending

it's all a conspiracy to sell me a crash helmet!

Thats no where near the mark and no one is advising against wearing one just that they are not as safe as they'd have users believe.

Here's a (USA) good bit, better than my crayon and coffee fueled rants from my rubber room

http://bicyclesafe.com/helmets.html

 

[Pionir]

I don't think anyone thinks they're invulnerable in a crash helmet (if they do then they're fools) but if there's just a 0.01% chance it could make the difference between living and dying, I'll take it.

Think of it like child seats in cars. I grew up (probably like most on here) without even a seat belt in the back seat, but how many here would do the same for their kids/grandkids. I know I wouldn't.

 

[legrandefromage]

I don't think anyone thinks they're invulnerable in a crash helmet (if they do then they're fools) but if there's just a 0.01% chance it could make the difference between living and dying, I'll take it.

Think of it like child seats in cars. I grew up (probably like most on here) without even a seat belt in the back seat, but how many here would do the same for their kids/grandkids. I know I wouldn't.

Not even close - speed with mass turns people into projectiles, irrelevant to cycling. Nobody wears helmets whilst driving to work* despite a rock hard wall of glass inches from the heads.

* Motorsport doesnt count - they are driving at work

 

[legrandefromage]

Heres some more bumf to read, not seen this one before, again USA but still relevant to the whole helmet thing.

http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1068.html

Oooh and a good quote:

Even if helmets are effective, it does not follow that all cyclists should wear them. Racing car drivers wear helmets, but not people driving to work. The difference is the level of risk. For the same reason, racing cyclists and mountain bikers often choose to wear helmets, but riding down a quiet road to the corner shop is a generally safe activity. Driving and cycling have similar risks per hour of serious head injury.

 

[Pionir]

Ok you convinced me with a 25yr old study, I'm going to stop wearing my helmet now!

 

[kingbling]

^^^^ LMFAO LGF you do dig up some crap