Helmets in the news again

[Origamist]

From this morning's Gaurdian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/aug/11/healthandwellbeing.transport/print

 

[yello]

I read it earlier. It's a bit of a wobble through the arguments, trying to be balanced but a kind of directionless, maybe-it-does maybe-it-doesn't, airy-fairy piece of writing that either avoids, or dares not have, an explicit conclusion.

I didn't like the emotive use of 'brain spilling', and the implication that somehow helmets might do some good against a motor vehicle (oh, and he's actually straight up wrong about France's hi-viz requirements).... but other than that, it's a fairly lame opinion piece.

 

[Bodhbh]

So I should throw my helmet in the skip and buy a stylish cycling wig instead. :/

 

[Keith Oates]

Stick with the helmet and you'll be right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[liquidindian]

I get the feeling that this has been discussed to death on these forums, so this point has probably been made before - the reason I wear a helmet is to give off the message that I am a Cyclist and Fellow Road User, not one of the idiots who tear about the pavement on a too-small BMX, knees around their chin.

 

[hackbike 6]

So I should throw my helmet in the skip and buy a stylish cycling wig instead. :/

Good idea

 

[jashburnham]

His point about Oz is incorrect as well - he fails to mention that the enforced helmet law led to a decline in cyclist numbers - hence the decline in injuries.

 

[snorri]

- the reason I wear a helmet is to give off the message that I am a Cyclist and Fellow Road User,

The reason I don't wear a helmet is to give off the message to other road users that I am a normal human being just like their friends and family, and not some anonymous creature from outer space who can be tumbled across the tarmac without injury.

 

[srw]

His point about Oz is incorrect as well - he fails to mention that the enforced helmet law led to a decline in cyclist numbers - hence the decline in injuries.

No he doesn't. He says that cyclists went down a third and injuries less than that.

 

[jashburnham]

Apologies, speed reading eh!

 

[AndyM78]

This just seems like a pointless article to me, anyone who has had to "step off" a bike in times of crisis will know that a lid will protect you more than a liberal coating of hair gel! The concept that using a helmet gives you an extra sence of security thus making you take unnecacary risks is crazy, maybe if i was covered top to toe in bubble wrap but a helmet will not help keep the skin on my knees and my bones in one piece!! I'll be wearing my bonnet with pride!

 

[yello]

The concept that using a helmet gives you an extra sence of security thus making you take unnecacary risks is crazy

Is it?

 

[AndyM78]

Well i sure don't feel invincable with a polystyrene pot on my head!

 

[BentMikey]

You might think risk compensation is a crazy idea, but it's well known and documented.

 

[snorri]

AndyM78, Google "Risk compensation", read the results and draw your own conclusions.