Pros and Helmets

[Mugshot]

Why do the pros wear helmets, is it because they keep on falling off?

 

[ianrauk]

Because they were told to.

 

[mcshroom]

Because the rules say they have to. Before the UCI brought in the rule most didn't.

 

[MikeW-71]

Because they have to, it says so in the racing rules.

EDIT: double-sniped

 

[Hacienda71]

I have met a few pro riders who don't wear helmets on training rides. Pretty sure it is a UCI requirement to wear them in competition. CTT don't insist on it for TT's in the UK.

 

[mcshroom]

Whether they have improved things or not is aslo questionable
http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2011/6/21/pro-cycling-and-helmets.html

 

[Mugshot]

Whether they have improved things or not is aslo questionable
http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2011/6/21/pro-cycling-and-helmets.html

That was an interesting but rather depressing read. A couple of the comments did raise what I had thought though, i.e.There's no mention of number of riders, number of races, or whether there are now higher averages or more hazardous courses.

 

[mcshroom]

Which is why I won't say they are worse, only questionable. They unfortunately are not a ringing endorsement of mandation.

 

[Mugshot]

Which is why I won't say they are worse, only questionable. They unfortunately are not a ringing endorsement of mandation.

Agreed.

 

[Mugshot]

It was thrown at me last night by one of my pro-helmet chums;
"Well I bet Sky have done their research!"
I was pretty sure it was the UCI that told them to wear them, and that they are sponsored by the helmet makers and that their introduction is relatively recent, so that's what I said. Wasn't absolutely sure though.

 

[Rooster1]

is it because... oh no, stop myself

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

...introduction is relatively recent.

Since 2003

 

[Brandane]

Why do the pros wear helmets, is it because they keep on falling off?

Because they get paid a lot of money to wear them. They then become fashionable and slaves to fashion won't go on a bike without one, under the misapprehension that they will somehow protect them from head injuries in the event of a crash. IMHO..

 

[Dan B]

Why do the pros wear helmets, is it because they keep on falling off?

It would be interesting to calculate the accident/km ratio for, say, TdF participants over the length of the event and compare to commuting/utility cycling rates. I would not be surprised if it were an order of magnitude higher

 

[mcshroom]

1:5 of the riders fell off on stage 5 alone