Touring and Helmets

[Tony]

Only when required by law, so "yes" in Australia, "yes" in Slovakia, etc, "no" everywhere else.

 

[Cathryn]

There's no logic to this but I tend not to wear one when on tour. I'd never ride without one in the UK but have this conviction that foreign roads (especially French ones) are safe. Mad, I know.

However I always carry one and if the road is busy and I feel it's safer, I wear one. I always wear a helmet when going down a mountain (even at my slow speeds) and when it's raining.

And if my Mum asks, I ALWAYS wear one.

 

[Tony]

If your Mum asks, you weren't here, and we didn't....

 

[andym]

I'd never ride without one in the UK but have this conviction that foreign roads (especially French ones) are safe. Mad, I know.

Actually, if you take road fatalities as the measure of safety then British roads are some of the safest in the world (only Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands have lower rates). The fatality rate in France is significantly higher.

But of course there is a world of difference between commuting to work in a town or city and riding a deserted road in the countryside.

 

[HJ]

Why bother, the things are pretty much useless anyway...

 

[dragon72]

Why bother, the things are pretty much useless anyway...

Well, protection from injury aside, I find that they are quite good at keeping my head out of the sun with more ventilation than a hat provides...

 

[snorri]

But of course there is a world of difference between commuting to work in a town or city and riding a deserted road in the countryside.

Yes, with 3 out of 4 deaths taking place in the countryside it's a lot more dangerous, but I suppose the perceived danger is less.


http://www.dontriskit.info/country-roads/home/

 

[MarkF]

Nope, never wear one.

 

[ufkacbln]

Actually, if you take road fatalities as the measure of safety then British roads are some of the safest in the world (only Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands have lower rates). The fatality rate in France is significantly higher.

But of course there is a world of difference between commuting to work in a town or city and riding a deserted road in the countryside.

Not for vulnerable road users IIRC

If you take typical stats (as here then we come out quite poorly - according to this selection, only Italy and Austria are worse for cycle deaths per 100 million kilometres

 

[jay clock]

Yes. and it is the law in Spain. I take it off on long very steep climbs on very hot days. I like the peak for shading the eyes and I think I look even cooler with it on than not

 

[theloafer]

last july one person on our tour of the alps came off going down the glandon he recons his lid saved him....

 

[Crankarm]

Why bother, the things are pretty much useless anyway...

Con-tro-vershal .......

I wear mine all the time.

 

[andrew_s]

I got one for Spain. It spent most of the time attached to the top of my rack.
No helmet otherwise.

 

[Crankarm]

last july one person on our tour of the alps came off going down the glandon he recons his lid saved him....

!

 

[TheDoctor]

I've never, ever had a crash where one would have helped me, unless I was wearing it on my shoulder.