Wear your helmet...??

[highlandsflyer]

On a wet downhill stage of the TDF doing 50kph+ nose to tail and elbow to elbow with others it's a no brainer. Even if the riders didn't think so for a long time.

Try that again in MPH.

 

[Woz]

Interesting the "an intrinsic part of their image" comment. Yes it's true, but it was very likely due to helment wearing being an intrinsic part of their pay check too. Bell certainly doesn't make a secret out of it:

http://www.bellbikestuff.com/history_nf.html

Bell cashed in at the right BMX and MTB time in the USA with the right sponsorhip. Add a whole bunch of lobbying for legislation, and our youthfullness for flash MTBs and want to look like the pros from across the pond is where we are today.

At the time most cyclists in the UK were happy with a twead hat and on the continent a cloth cap to keep the sun off for UV protection...so what happened? Did cycling suddenly become more dangerous? Did media and occasional shock stories scare people to rush out and buy a / any lid just as long as it was an helmet? Are the majority of people actually aware of the helmet limitations and test procedures (if any)?

What knarks me is this default "Cycling = Wear a Helmet" logic that somehow got into the fabric of most modern societies, rather than using damn plain common sense and assessing risks, consequences and mitigating them on a case to case bases.

Follow the money, find the truth. It's on Bells homepage.

Let the great debate continue!

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Bell + Steve McQueen

Doesn't get much cooler than that

 

[lumos2000]

with the majority of accidents taking place in the home im suprised most of you have the courage to get out of bed

 

[We_are_Stevo]

It's that old chestnut again; you never want it until you need it - then you'll miss it if you haven't got it...

 

[26er]

I've noticed that wearing helmets make people ride lot more aggressive, especially so all these commuters trying to shave off millisecs on their daily race to/from their bleedin offices. I wonder what it is that makes them think they can blow me off the bike lane just bc they're wearing helmets. Can it be that I'm riding at least their speed with a smile on my face and the wind in my hair. I seriously doubt that. I think it's more bc wearing helmets make people take bigger risks, show lot less respect for others and ride irresponsibly in general.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

I've noticed that wearing helmets make people ride lot more aggressive, especially so all these commuters trying to shave off millisecs on their daily race to/from their bleedin offices. I wonder what it is that makes them think they can blow me off the bike lane just bc they're wearing helmets. Can it be that I'm riding at least their speed with a smile on my face and the wind in my hair. I seriously doubt that. I think it's more bc wearing helmets make people take bigger risks, show lot less respect for others and ride irresponsibly in general.

............Rubbish! :roll:

 

[Raging_Bulls]

............Rubbish! :roll:

Actually ... no. I'm often wondering why it's always the guys with helmets who think that stopping in front of a red light is merely a suggestion.
It's always those helmetwearers who have a habit of riding right next to a busy sidewalk at high speeds too. You barely ever see a normal cyclist do that.

 

[The Ken]

Sorry but I agree with stevo, it is just a brash generalisation, members of both groups do these things. I for one never jump a red light and I always wear a helmet.

 

[tintin40]

Sorry but I agree with stevo, it is just a brash generalisation, members of both groups do these things. I for one never jump a red light and I always wear a helmet.

I agree. Must never generalise. I always stop at lights. One time i stopped at a light i got hit from behind by a car. Got a nice pay off from the insurance company.
Oddly i've been ridden in to from behind more by other cyclists who think i'm not going to stop at the lights. Then realize to late that i have stopped Had i nice bit of 'cycle road rage' the last time it happened as he thought it was my fault :evil: He soon saw the error of his ways and it makes sense to stop at lights.