I never wore a helmet as kid, when I rode bmx's and mtb, fell of way too many ramps and into trees all sorts, but as soon as a I bought my first bike back in December for the first time in 15 years, i knew I would for my 1 year old daughter and the missus, in all honesty I reckon the better half would have sabotaged my bike otherwise ;-)
To buy or not to buy...
- Thread starter Twilkes
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
Twilkes does at least work where someone's concerned with his welfare.
My views on helmets are in previous threads so I won't repeat them in full, I'll just say that in cold weather they're quite good for keeping the head warm and a scarf in place. In Twilkes' case if he's neutral over using a helmet it might be better to appease his colleagues.
I'm not interested in anecdotes , and that includes from A&E consultants. I can come up with a very good one of my own, but won't here (again see earlier threads), relating to an accident resulting in multiple fatalities, to illustrate how a helmet could kill. Irrelevant as it's anecdote not evidence. Neurologists, who end up dealing with some of the nastier results of accidents, don't all agree with helmet wearing.
One day we'll see someone doing some research and design work, and end up with helmets that don't have protrusions and extensions to catch on the ground and twist rider's heads off. I notice that BMX helmets are smooth and round so they can't catch and snag when a rider comes off.
We could all, of course, buy made to measure helmets with honeycomb aluminium shock absorbing material in them and a visor for eye protection, just like the pros use. Trouble is the starting price of £1500 (or so I've read).
In the meantime we all come under more and more pressure, mainly from ill informed judges and politicians and from insurance clerks who drive to work, sit down all day, and haven't been near a bike since they were 17, to wear a device which has no overall benefit (according to real research).
Cycling is very safe. The chances of getting a non-superficial head injury in a lifetime of cycling are minute. Helmet's aren't even sold for many activities more likely to result in head injuries. Sadly that's the reality but not the popular perception, even among many cyclists.
My views on helmets are in previous threads so I won't repeat them in full, I'll just say that in cold weather they're quite good for keeping the head warm and a scarf in place. In Twilkes' case if he's neutral over using a helmet it might be better to appease his colleagues.
I'm not interested in anecdotes , and that includes from A&E consultants. I can come up with a very good one of my own, but won't here (again see earlier threads), relating to an accident resulting in multiple fatalities, to illustrate how a helmet could kill. Irrelevant as it's anecdote not evidence. Neurologists, who end up dealing with some of the nastier results of accidents, don't all agree with helmet wearing.
One day we'll see someone doing some research and design work, and end up with helmets that don't have protrusions and extensions to catch on the ground and twist rider's heads off. I notice that BMX helmets are smooth and round so they can't catch and snag when a rider comes off.
We could all, of course, buy made to measure helmets with honeycomb aluminium shock absorbing material in them and a visor for eye protection, just like the pros use. Trouble is the starting price of £1500 (or so I've read).
In the meantime we all come under more and more pressure, mainly from ill informed judges and politicians and from insurance clerks who drive to work, sit down all day, and haven't been near a bike since they were 17, to wear a device which has no overall benefit (according to real research).
Cycling is very safe. The chances of getting a non-superficial head injury in a lifetime of cycling are minute. Helmet's aren't even sold for many activities more likely to result in head injuries. Sadly that's the reality but not the popular perception, even among many cyclists.
Interesting (old) article suggesting that those wearing helmets are more likely to have an accident: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/5334208.stm
Suggests that motorists think people who don't wear helmets are more unpredictable so give them more room. It also suggests that motorists give more room to female non-helmetted cyclists.
Whether the helmet offers any protection is another matter, just thought the twist on this article was a tad perverse really, i.e. motorists make an assessment on the level of consideration they show to cyclists based on what they look like/are wearing?!
Suggests that motorists think people who don't wear helmets are more unpredictable so give them more room. It also suggests that motorists give more room to female non-helmetted cyclists.
Whether the helmet offers any protection is another matter, just thought the twist on this article was a tad perverse really, i.e. motorists make an assessment on the level of consideration they show to cyclists based on what they look like/are wearing?!
bonker
Guru
This is a great thread.
After years of argument, advertising campaigns research and medical advice most (male) cyclists wear a helmet because their wife tells them to. This comes as a great comfort to me because after 30 years of cycling without a helmet I gave into the pressure too. I didn't have a helmet before but I had to buy one to take part in an Ironman -- schoolboy error.
Any women's view on this? I wonder if it works the other way around for women cyclists?
As for Twilkes, if you didn't think you should be wearing one you wouldn't have posted would you?
After years of argument, advertising campaigns research and medical advice most (male) cyclists wear a helmet because their wife tells them to. This comes as a great comfort to me because after 30 years of cycling without a helmet I gave into the pressure too. I didn't have a helmet before but I had to buy one to take part in an Ironman -- schoolboy error.
Any women's view on this? I wonder if it works the other way around for women cyclists?
As for Twilkes, if you didn't think you should be wearing one you wouldn't have posted would you?
biking_fox
Legendary Member
- Location
- Manchester
YOu of course don't have to wear one every day. Try it on the cold days to get used to it. Then if we do ever get a properly warm day, feel free not to wear it.
OP
OP
Twilkes
Guru
The number of times I've heard that phrase... 8-)
I tried a couple on, and will buy one. Not sure which yet. But I couldn’t help feeling that they were woefully inadequate for their intended purpose.
This is the one that stood out in a sea of Google Images - 'Yep, that's what a bike helmet should look like' - only to find it was a design concept, and nothing like it seems to have made it to production:
http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/Projects/Project.aspx?ID=1064&RegionId=9&Winindex=0
Interesting text too, although I'd not necessarily take all of it at face value.
