Hokiedad4

I saw a woman riding a pretty decent road bike with all the requisite gear, but with her helmet on backwards. I was tempted to ask but didn't say anything. Would you?

Are there any other safety related situations that would prompt you to say something to another cyclist?

Chris516

If it was a blatantly obvious situation like the one you described, I would. But if I saw a cyclist just wearing their helmet too far forward or too backward. I wouldn't always say something.

If I saw a cyclist without a helmet, I would just think they are being dumb.

If I saw a cyclist riding against the traffic. I would catch the guy and chew them out. Not just on the grounds of it being illegal. But also on the grounds that I wouldn't wish two(hydrocephalus, epilepsy) of the three(I also have a brain aneurysm) on them. But that that they are asking for them by riding against traffic.

AlmostTrick

Was she pretty? If so, then yes.

Matariki

Sure I would.

wphamilton

Nope. If I were talking to her already, then maybe I'd bring it up but no way would I approach someone for the sole purpose of informing her that she was wearing a helmet incorrectly.

I just finished a pleasant 30 mile ride with a head-band, no helmet. Her backwards helmet gives her a tiny safety improvement over my headband, given the also remote chance of an accident causing a head injury. Backwards, it looks a tiny bit sillier than it would look if worn correctly. None of that is worth being a busy-body.

mr_bill

You finished a 30 mile ride and did not die? Wow!

And everlasting gobstopper thread in three, two, one....

-mr. bill

rydabent

She may be somewhat new to cycling, and might appreciate you telling her rather than becoming an object of ridicule.

Shimagnolo

I saw the same thing once on a street corner in Boulder.
The woman was middle-aged.
I was tempted to say something, but didn't.

mr_bill

In the unlikely event that this thread doesn't get banished to the everlasting gobstopper thread.

HELL NO!

-mr. bill

wphamilton

I can imagine how it would go:

Hey your helmet's on backwards.
- so what's the difference?
It's not as safe.
- but you're not even wearing one, is that as safe?
That's 'cause it doesn't matter much. Um, they'll make fun of you.
- who will?
Anyone else wearing the mushroom hats.

Somehow it just doesn't make much sense to bring it up.

mr_bill

And you just can't keep it out of the helmet head thread, can you?

-mr. bill

kickstart

If I see somebody drop something, there's an obviously clear and present danger such as broken brake cable or something hanging loose I'll say something. Unimportant things that are simply embarrassing? maybe if I'm already interacting with a person, but not just at random.

I never attempt to correct behavior unless it's directly effecting me at that moment. Its been my experience that busybodies are typically rather clueless, self centered people, and their own behavior worse than those they're "correcting".

trackhub

I see at least one of these "Helmet on backwards people" per season. I have still not figured out how they manage to do it.
I have learned that the best practice is to simply not say anything.

10 Wheels

I know of one rider that turned his seat backwards...Said it felt better.

jhazel

One time riding with my granddaughter I had a passing cyclist point out that her helmet was way too loose. I hadn't noticed. I said "Thanks" and we stopped and adjusted the helmet. Sometimes people appreciate the information.

bikecrate

This might fall in the category of useful information like when someone lets you know your fly is down or you left your briefcase on top of your car. So I would probably say something like "did you know your helmet is on backwards". If they replied "yes, I prefer to wear it backwards" then I would leave it at that and not start a proper helmet wearing lecture.

baron von trail 

Done intentionally perhaps...fashion statement?

not unless it threatened me directly.

Yesterday, on my ride, two kids blew a stop sign and shot out in front of a speeding car. I expected them to go flying. The driver managed to swerve though and missed them by a hair. After, both kids looked like they saw a ghost. I figure that was lesson enough. No need for me to give my two cents.

indyfabz

My ability to spot backwards helmets is legendary among my friends. Just yesterday, while I was walking, I saw a guy riding against traffic with his helmet on backwards. He passed within three feet of me. The helmet had a visor, which I think was a first for me. I yelled to him that his helmet was on backwards, but I guess he didn't hear me. I always say something. I have even stopped and doubled back to tell parents about children wearing helmets backwards.

indyfabz

A noob with an old helmet I can see, but with today's modern locking systems it puzzles me. I probably see at least a half dozen a season. As I just noted in another post, yesterday I saw a guy wearing his visored helmet backwards. Seen lots of charity rides, where you often get less experienced riders.

Leebo

I was stopped for coffee when I saw someone with their fork on backwards, cardboard still on the top tube. Self assembled and test riding. I helped adjust it for him, thought it was way dangerous to proceed otherwise.

lostarchitect 

I have seen this a couple times. I said something and was met with a puzzled stare.

badrad

A while ago one of my commutes, I was stopped at an intersection waiting for the green, and a younger rider crept up behind me, and ran the red. I guess with the road noise and all he didn't hear or feel his wallet pop out of his back pocket. I yelled at him across the intersection which must have caught his attention and although he didn't turn around, just waved his hand at me - like flipping me off or whatever... By the time I got the green he was already near the end of the next block. He was probably thinking I was yelling at him for running the light, which didn't even bother me in the least.

So I just continued on my ride, the wallet still on the ground where he dropped it. Schmuck!