Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
Why are UK cyclists fixated on helmets
- Thread starter steveindenmark
- Start date
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MontyVeda
a short-tempered ill-controlled small-minded troll
- Location
- Lancaster... the little city.
...
[QUOTE 2980869, member: 45"]UK cyclists aren't fixated on helmets, you lot are.[/QUOTE]
it has been a while since we've had a helmet debate though.
I'm often asked when the subject of cycling is brought up "Do you wear a helmet?". I'd prefer to be asked "Where do you cycle too?", "what kind of bike have you got?", "Do you wear lycra or are you 'normal'?", but the helmet question does come up first and foremost quite often.
When in the states a couple of years ago, my cousin mentioned that she doesn't ride her bike any more because "we're supposed to wear a helmet these days" so I guess it's not just a UK thing.
[QUOTE 2980869, member: 45"]UK cyclists aren't fixated on helmets, you lot are.[/QUOTE]
it has been a while since we've had a helmet debate though.
I'm often asked when the subject of cycling is brought up "Do you wear a helmet?". I'd prefer to be asked "Where do you cycle too?", "what kind of bike have you got?", "Do you wear lycra or are you 'normal'?", but the helmet question does come up first and foremost quite often.
When in the states a couple of years ago, my cousin mentioned that she doesn't ride her bike any more because "we're supposed to wear a helmet these days" so I guess it's not just a UK thing.
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
That's internet bullying that is. If you wear a helmet it will deflect the blows
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vickster
Legendary Member
@MontyVeda There's a whole section of them
http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/helmet-headphone-debates.19/
http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/helmet-headphone-debates.19/
Helmets, there is no argument, I mean, everyone should have one
Sorry if you've seen it before but then again, I've read all this before so who gives a shoot. Why isn't this in the 'stupid section that I ignore' part of the forum.
And by the way: I've told him if he goes over 12mph it's not going to save him but does he listen....
Sorry if you've seen it before but then again, I've read all this before so who gives a shoot. Why isn't this in the 'stupid section that I ignore' part of the forum.
And by the way: I've told him if he goes over 12mph it's not going to save him but does he listen....
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
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MontyVeda
a short-tempered ill-controlled small-minded troll
- Location
- Lancaster... the little city.
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
If I may use this opportunity to spoil this spiffing thread with SCIENCE...
I've noticed there's been quite a few people who've said "My helmet cracked, so it must have saved me". That's unlikely to be true. A material can absorb impact energy in two ways. It can bend in a ductile fashion, as metals do. That's how a car's crumple zone functions - there's a lot of metal that bends and deforms in a collision. Or it can crack. A crack absorbs energy because it creates a new surface area - and surfaces always energy associated with them. Think of the surface tension of water, and how surface tension maintains a soap bubble. Helmets are made from expanded polystyrene, a brittle material that cracks in impact. You want it form many small cracks which create many new surfaces - that'll absorb the most energy. If it has visibly cracked, then it has failed - as that crack will have absorbed very little energy... leaving the majority to be transferred straight to your head...
There is remarkably little evidence to support the idea that helmets provide a meaningful protective role: the very best studies we have show no benefit at all. The plural of "anecdote" is not "data". If you want, I can demonstrate how not wearing a helmet saved my life - I've even got the actual maths to prove it...
I've noticed there's been quite a few people who've said "My helmet cracked, so it must have saved me". That's unlikely to be true. A material can absorb impact energy in two ways. It can bend in a ductile fashion, as metals do. That's how a car's crumple zone functions - there's a lot of metal that bends and deforms in a collision. Or it can crack. A crack absorbs energy because it creates a new surface area - and surfaces always energy associated with them. Think of the surface tension of water, and how surface tension maintains a soap bubble. Helmets are made from expanded polystyrene, a brittle material that cracks in impact. You want it form many small cracks which create many new surfaces - that'll absorb the most energy. If it has visibly cracked, then it has failed - as that crack will have absorbed very little energy... leaving the majority to be transferred straight to your head...
There is remarkably little evidence to support the idea that helmets provide a meaningful protective role: the very best studies we have show no benefit at all. The plural of "anecdote" is not "data". If you want, I can demonstrate how not wearing a helmet saved my life - I've even got the actual maths to prove it...
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
No.
I just can't take you elves seriously. Shouldn't you be fighting balrogs or something?
He's a wise old elf... usually found winding up Nanny Plumb and running the toy factory,
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
Well, I agree with the "old" bit...
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
Disqualified. You didn't talk about the SCIENCY bit, and linking to some poxy website doesn't count either (and I've read it before, anyway.. )
Shouldn't you be getting the harp out and singing about Elvandar about now?
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
Getting worse? I admit that I'm not sure I really want to know the answer, but how are you going to manage that? You're going to need more than a bmx and a hoodie for that trick, you know....
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
So as I post this, we are at over 8 pages.
Simple answer is cyclists are gutter scum.
Simple answer is cyclists are gutter scum.
