To buy or not to buy...

[Jdratcliffe]

This^^

I never used to (except for racing,) but when I became a father, my wife insisted!

+1

 

[DWiggy]

I always wear mine, feel quite naked without it on (a bit like my glasses ), I often find myself travelling 30+mph downhill and would rather my helmet bash the floor instead of my sweed!

 

[Lee_M]

do what you want, but I wear one and tbh I rarely think about it, I forget I have it on, and it certainly doesn't bother me.

Not sure how people can 'hate' them

Also never noticed my head getting hot because of it either

Personally I'd rather have the additional protection on my noggin (however minimal it is) as I know how hard the ground is

 

[Lance Jack]

I worked for Royal Mail for a while. One day they said you are being issued a helmet and will have to wear it, failure will be an interview without coffee and repeat offences mean a one way ticket to the dole queue. This was endorsed by our union so people had to do it. It didn't bother me, just to keep the peace I wore it. Now, I wouldn't ride without it, my daughter and wife both have one and thats how we ride. I wouldn't have worn one by choice, I was pushed into it. Now I feel naked with out.
The funny thing is, they got rid of all the bikes and they now work in pairs from a van.

 

[Twilkes]

The funny thing is, they got rid of all the bikes and they now work in pairs from a van.

I believe the same thing happened with prostitution - such is the way of the world.

Will have a look around and see what's available - lots of polystyrene helmets look pretty useless, but in my mind I have visions of those rubber epilepsy helmets that people wear, or maybe a rugby head protector. Who decided that a huge piece of polystyrene and plastic was the best solution?

 

[Twilkes]

I mean, seriously, what is this meant to achieve?

Unless her head really is that shape....

 

[slowmotion]

I usually wear one. I have no idea if it makes riding safer, and I don't really care either way. It's just a habit. It's really great to take it off in hot weather and feel the breeze in what's left of my hair though. I never wear one in the Netherlands....neither does anybody else. If it makes people that you like feel better, why not?

 

[dodd82]

As a real newbie to cycling, I find the helmet debate interesting. I hadn't even realised there was a debate to be had!

Is there a good thread to read to understand fully the rationale behind advocating not wearing a helmet?

 

[Twilkes]

There is a helmet section in the Campaigning message board, but it’s ‘interesting’ to say the least…

I don’t think anyone is advocating not wearing a helmet, i.e. trying to persuade others not to wear them, but some choose not to do so for a number of reasons. If a helmet was undetectable while wearing it, didn’t have to be carried around, didn’t mess up hair or trap sweat, didn’t get bugs stuck in it, and had proven protection/injury reduction in likely biking scenarios, then I’d imagine almost everyone would wear it. But it doesn’t exist. After a websearch, the only helmet I got enthusiastic about buying was a concept/competition winner, and not actually on the market. I’m still looking though.

In the image above, the helmet has doubled the size of the woman’s head, making it a larger target for impact. It sits too high on her head, is likely to slip on impact from most directions, which leaves her with a tourniquet around her neck and a large lump of plastic likely to get stuck/dragged along.

 

[Col5632]

I never used to wear a helmet when i was younger either and i think i started wearing one as my ex insisted that i do but now i dont think i would go out without one and most of the guys on the forum rides i have attended wear one also. (not that is a reason to get one)

 

[4F]

I don’t think anyone is advocating not wearing a helmet,

I wouldn't be so sure about that, take a look at rotational injury's caused by wearing a helmet.

At the end of the day the choice on whether you want to wear one or not is yours, and yours alone.

 

[ufkacbln]

I worked for Royal Mail for a while. One day they said you are being issued a helmet and will have to wear it, failure will be an interview without coffee and repeat offences mean a one way ticket to the dole queue. This was endorsed by our union so people had to do it. It didn't bother me, just to keep the peace I wore it. Now, I wouldn't ride without it, my daughter and wife both have one and thats how we ride. I wouldn't have worn one by choice, I was pushed into it. Now I feel naked with out.
The funny thing is, they got rid of all the bikes and they now work in pairs from a van.

Interesting case study

HSE refused to endorse helmets as PPE so Royal Mail sneaked it in as Uniform Policy


Friend of mine had been refused permission to wear his own and despite arguing that the cheap rubbish chosen by Royal Mail offered less protection he had to wear it

 

[Recycle]

Friend of mine had been refused permission to wear his own and despite arguing that the cheap rubbish chosen by Royal Mail offered less protection he had to wear it

Never seen our postie wear a helmet.

 

[vickster]

You have convinced yourself you don't want to wear one, talk to your wife and check your life insurance is up to date (not due to the helmet but cycling generally). There are lots of different styles, go to a large LBS and have a look .
I wear one, as it makes ME feel safer - I look daft (although mine is rounder and not pointy), and I get helmet hair, but on the plus side my hair gets far less knotty on a windy day

I am convinced of the benefits - having seen plenty of interviews with A&E consultants who say that based on the injuries they see on a day to day basis in cyclists, they wouldn't consider letting their loved ones ride without a helmet nor would they do so themselves. Enough proof for me

It sounds like your objections are as much aesthetic / practical than refuting the safety aspect - discuss these with your loved ones

 

[dodd82]

For me it's quite simple; if my head hit's the tarmac, I'd rather be wearing a helmet.

I'm sure there are arguments for and against, and people are entitled to their opinions, but it's not a complex issue for me.