The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[hatler]

Oh god.

Beeb story on Branson's "life saving" helmet.

 

[EnPassant]

"I really thought I was going to die. I went flying head-first towards the concrete road, but fortunately my shoulder and cheek took the brunt of the impact, and I was wearing a helmet that saved my life."

So then Richard, if it was your shoulder and cheek, how exactly did the helmet...oh never mind.
First Great Western and BT internet for me now mate. And I'm going to use my Tubular Bells CD as a coaster, so there.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I was wearing a helmet that saved my life.

GC

 

[Tin Pot]

A few people have mentioned that helmets aren't tested to a good enough standard - does anyone have specific complaints and recommendations I could take up with the appropriate organisations?

 

[mjr]

So then Richard, if it was your shoulder and cheek, how exactly did the helmet...oh never mind.

He was wearing a very large helmet over his shoulder and cheek. That's why it all went dark suddenly and he failed to see the speed hump.

 

[mjr]

A few people have mentioned that helmets aren't tested to a good enough standard - does anyone have specific complaints and recommendations I could take up with the appropriate organisations?

Minor: recommend that the hemispheric anvil from the Snell tests is included in other tests.

Minor: recommend that the drop heights are increased to something that reflects the height of a real adult cyclist's head above the ground (2.1m, to allow for tall people?)

Minor: recommend a freefall with a horizontal component of 8m/s or so in order to better imitate a fall from a moving cycle and reveal any potential for road-snagging to damage/release the retention system.

Fundamental: recommend that realistic dummy crash tests are performed.

 

[ufkacbln]

Oh god.

Beeb story on Branson's "life saving" helmet.

Good news......


Previously the claim was that no-helmet wearers would end up being fed through a straw by their families

Here is proof that it happens to helmet wearers as well

 

[Fab Foodie]

Oh god.

Beeb story on Branson's "life saving" helmet.

Exactly ... States his shoulder and cheek took the brunt of the fall and then claims his helmet saved his life...,,

 

[ufkacbln]

Exactly ... States his shoulder and cheek took the brunt of the fall and then claims his helmet saved his life...,,

The very reasons why the British Dental Association wants greater facial coverage by helmets

 

[srw]

Minor: recommend that the hemispheric anvil from the Snell tests is included in other tests.

Minor: recommend that the drop heights are increased to something that reflects the height of a real adult cyclist's head above the ground (2.1m, to allow for tall people?)

Minor: recommend a freefall with a horizontal component of 8m/s or so in order to better imitate a fall from a moving cycle and reveal any potential for road-snagging to damage/release the retention system.

Fundamental: recommend that realistic dummy crash tests are performed.

Major: recommend that standards are based on population statistics, not on artificial tests.

 

[mjr]

Major: recommend that standards are based on population statistics, not on artificial tests.

Coo... so artificial tests only for new helmets and then annual relicensing (or not) based on the injury stats of its users? Mind.... blown!

 

[ufkacbln]

What is really needed is to forget cycling and analyse head injuries as a whole

Perform a national study on head injuries and analyse the results

Then match the factors of the accident and rate the helmet accordingly

A star rating should do it

Pedestrian protection rating *****
Minor cycle impact *****
Minor vehicle impact ***
Vehicle impact at speed *


.. and so on

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

But is Branson's irrational faith in his helmet proof of brain trauma?

 

[Tin Pot]

Minor: recommend that the hemispheric anvil from the Snell tests is included in other tests.

Minor: recommend that the drop heights are increased to something that reflects the height of a real adult cyclist's head above the ground (2.1m, to allow for tall people?)

Minor: recommend a freefall with a horizontal component of 8m/s or so in order to better imitate a fall from a moving cycle and reveal any potential for road-snagging to damage/release the retention system.

Fundamental: recommend that realistic dummy crash tests are performed.

Cheers

 

[Tin Pot]

Major: recommend that standards are based on population statistics, not on artificial tests.

What?