The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[Rusty Nails]

We do all need to remember that accidents - and impacts - come in many flavours. Nevertheless, I shall comment on this specific issue:


Actually, I think we're all quite good at this. Imagine we're standing on a safe surface (trampoline, wodevva ..) I challenge you to hold your hands by hour sides as I gently topple you over sideways.
When you land on your hip/shoulder/etc, I'd wager that most times your average neck muscles will keep your head from impact. On the occasions it *does* hit something, it will be a lot more gently than your shoulder hits.

No superhuman powers required!

I have had many falls on my bikes when I avoided my head hitting the floor.

I have had two falls when I didn't, travelling at a greater speed.

Once my head hit metal railings at the side of the road. No damage to me, except scratches on the helmet.

Once I fell, hit my head on the road taking a chunk out of my helmet and waking up as the paramedic put me into the ambulance on the way to hospital where I was diagnosed with concussion and bleeding on the brain. No damage to the surface of my head, just the helmet.

I doubt in either of the last two I would have somehow avoided hitting my bare head.

 

[matticus]

Rusty,
Is that not covered by my first sentence?
"We do all need to remember that accidents - and impacts - come in many flavours."

 

[Dave Davenport]

I have had many falls on my bikes when I avoided my head hitting the floor.

I have had two falls when I didn't, travelling at a greater speed.

Once my head hit metal railings at the side of the road. No damage to me, except scratches on the helmet.

Once I fell, hit my head on the road taking a chunk out of my helmet and waking up as the paramedic put me into the ambulance on the way to hospital where I was diagnosed with concussion and bleeding on the brain. No damage to the surface of my head, just the helmet.

I doubt in either of the last two I would have somehow avoided hitting my bare head.

Are you sure you're cut out for this cycling lark?

 

[Rusty Nails]

Rusty,
Is that not covered by my first sentence?
"We do all need to remember that accidents - and impacts - come in many flavours."

I agree. That is why I wear a helmet when I am out on the road bike or on mountain bike trails, but not necessarily if I pop over to the shops.

Not necessarily logical, I know, but logic can be over-rated.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Are you sure you're cut out for this cycling lark?

I've often wondered that. Two torn ligaments and one concussion since I started cycling again 11 years ago after a break of almost 40 years! I've virtually given up off road mtb riding these days and I think that at 74 I'll stick to the road, although not literally I hope.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I've often wondered that. Two torn ligaments and one concussion since I started cycling again 11 years ago after a break of almost 40 years! I've virtually given up off road mtb riding these days and I think that at 74 I'll stick to the road, although not literally I hope.

74! I stopped mountain biking at about 44, I think the final straw was crashing into a chalk bank at 20mph which resulted in just about my entire lower body going black/purple (yep, that bit as well, although disappointingly it didn't get any bigger) and being barely able to walk for several days.

 

[matticus]

since I started cycling again 11 years ago after a break of almost 40 years!

Go on - tell us how many gears your bike had 51 years ago!

 

[Rusty Nails]

Go on - tell us how many gears your bike had 51 years ago!

Single fixed-gear initially, which I upgraded to 12. My first ever road bike, for passing my 11+, was a 4 SA geared Raleigh and I was secretly disappointed that my Dad hadn't bought me one of those fancy derailleur gear bikes.

 

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/a...sts-urged-to-wear-helmets-as-road-deaths-rise

 

[GetFatty]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/a...sts-urged-to-wear-helmets-as-road-deaths-rise

Holy thread revival Batman.

 

[raleighnut]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/a...sts-urged-to-wear-helmets-as-road-deaths-rise

Surely it would be far more useful prosecuting car drivers more harshly for hitting a vulnerable road user instead of the "well it could happen to any driver" attitude that courts take.
In my opinion anyone driving a vehicle that strikes a cyclist or pedestrian should instantly be banned and forced to take an 'advanced' driving test before being allowed to drive again.

 

[Slick]

Surely it would be far more useful prosecuting car drivers more harshly for hitting a vulnerable road user instead of the "well it could happen to any driver" attitude that courts take.
In my opinion anyone driving a vehicle that strikes a cyclist or pedestrian should instantly be banned and forced to take an 'advanced' driving test before being allowed to drive again.

I agree, but that article relates to a country that already has tha presumed liability thing and some obviously think its a good idea.

 

[mjr]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/a...sts-urged-to-wear-helmets-as-road-deaths-rise

What a terrible one-sided article. No balance in the Guardian?

 

[mjr]

I agree, but that article relates to a country that already has tha presumed liability thing and some obviously think its a good idea.

Every country will contain some motorists who would be happy to see fewer cycling.

 

[matticus]

If this was the UK, just one extra death caused by a driver would quickly result in a new law to punish drivers.

RIght?