View Poll Results: Helmet wearing habits?
I've never worn a bike helmet
178
10.66%
I used to wear a helmet, but have stopped
94
5.63%
I've always worn a helmet
648
38.80%
I didn't wear a helmet, but now do
408
24.43%
I sometimes wear a helmet depending on the conditions
342
20.48%
Voters: 1670. You may not vote on this poll
The helmet thread
#1426
No one carries the DogBoy
There are irrational people on every side of every issue. Most people are sane and hold their positions for reasons. My $.02 is that helmets do afford some protection, and I do wear one 95% of the time I'm on a bike. I do not think a helmet is an invicibility shield.
So, while I say that, I was hit by a car a couple of days ago. I was wearing a helmet. No part of my helmet or head contacted either the vehicle or the ground. So while I was wearing one, I don't think it made a lick of difference in this particular case. I think that's what I hear most from the lid-less folks: helmets do not protect you from the most serious situations...collisions. I happen to believe they are a great help for the most common, falling from the height of the riding position to the ground. Same thing with MC helmets, they are designed to protect you from a fall height of about 5 - 6 ft tops. About the only thing that protects you in high speed impacts are God (if you so believe) or random chance (if God isn't your deal.)
So, while I say that, I was hit by a car a couple of days ago. I was wearing a helmet. No part of my helmet or head contacted either the vehicle or the ground. So while I was wearing one, I don't think it made a lick of difference in this particular case. I think that's what I hear most from the lid-less folks: helmets do not protect you from the most serious situations...collisions. I happen to believe they are a great help for the most common, falling from the height of the riding position to the ground. Same thing with MC helmets, they are designed to protect you from a fall height of about 5 - 6 ft tops. About the only thing that protects you in high speed impacts are God (if you so believe) or random chance (if God isn't your deal.)
#1427
Senior Member
See things as you like but MHLs require people to believe 1) cycling is dangerous and, 2) helmets are effective in eliminating and/or significantly reducing that danger.
When helmet support reaches the point at which the lidded cyclists are disparaging the lidless, MHLs are only a short step away
When helmet support reaches the point at which the lidded cyclists are disparaging the lidless, MHLs are only a short step away
Because the vast majority of the world does not have MHLs, most of the public believes 1) cycling is not dangerous, and 2) there's basically no need for helmets.
And you peddle fear of MHLs -- which don't exist and are unlikely to be enacted in most places -- like you claim helmet manufacturers and safety groups peddle fear in the name of helmets.
#1428
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And you have disparaged the lidded!
The vast majority of cyclists (in the US) disparage no one else one way or another!
#1429
Senior Member
I'll make an attempt to disparage no one here but must point out that the debate centres on 2 central issues; that 1) cycling is dangerous and, 2) helmets are effective in eliminating and/or significantly reducing that danger.
I would assume to a person thinking about the issue objectively this is obvious, but I do understand that others are not being objective in their views, so I thought it was worth the time to make the point
I would assume to a person thinking about the issue objectively this is obvious, but I do understand that others are not being objective in their views, so I thought it was worth the time to make the point
Last edited by closetbiker; 02-16-12 at 12:39 PM.
#1430
Senior Member
So...
Because the vast majority of the world does not have MHLs, most of the public believes 1) cycling is not dangerous, and 2) there's basically no need for helmets.
And you peddle fear of MHLs -- which don't exist and are unlikely to be enacted in most places -- like you claim helmet manufacturers and safety groups peddle fear in the name of helmets.
Because the vast majority of the world does not have MHLs, most of the public believes 1) cycling is not dangerous, and 2) there's basically no need for helmets.
And you peddle fear of MHLs -- which don't exist and are unlikely to be enacted in most places -- like you claim helmet manufacturers and safety groups peddle fear in the name of helmets.
#1434
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As a cyclist, I'd like cars to not have seatbelts, airbags, ABS etc., as it is well known that risk compensation will make drivers take more chances.
#1436
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I also realize that other people's decisions about what safety gear to use (or not to use) in their cars is none of my business, so I don't yell obnoxious things at them as they drive by, or start insulting threads about them, or beat them over the head with endlessly regurgitated statistics intended to make them do what I think they should.
#1437
Bicikli Huszár
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My point is that you need to differentiate clearly between two types of issues. One: do helmets help protect the head or not? Two: do helmet laws or promotional efforts discourage ridership? The latter issue is fundamentally different in kind; it's a psychological/sociological/political issue since it centers on personal choice, not whether a physical device can mitigate impacts. You need to differentiate, too, between whether helmet compulsion or promotion might merely decrease ridership or whether it impacts overall population health: obviously, someone can enjoy other forms of exercise if they choose not to cycle.
The problem inherent in that line of reasoning is that you say or imply that some groups are portraying cycling as more dangerous than it really is, but they could turn around and say you are portraying it as less dangerous than it really is. Whose perception is right? At the end of the day, it is a simple fact that X number of people are killed or injured cycling every year. Merely stating that, whether you compare it to other activities or not, is not fear-mongering in any sense. The reality is that cyclists can get hurt or killed; they need to know that so they can make an informed decision, just as if they were preparing to undertake any athletic activity or use another type or transport.
You may not want to compare cycling's risk to other activities, anyway:
This is a common one.
https://cyclehelmets.org/1026.html
Last edited by sudo bike; 02-18-12 at 04:23 AM.
#1438
Bicikli Huszár
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Apparently not, because even closetbiker has said that helmets are designed, tested, and somewhat effective (at least) at dealing with simple and minor injuries. As I said, and I'll repeat, no one is really denying this. What the discussion is about is whether there is net benefit, whether they are as effective as many claim, and what place, if any, should they have in cycling.
Last edited by sudo bike; 02-18-12 at 04:25 AM.
#1439
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This is intriguing as we've already had at least two sets of statistics posted that show cycling about on par with walking and driving, and under showering. I've honestly not bothered to look through these numbers, but I'll take your word for it that they say what you say they do. Just don't take it as truth... other numbers bear out a very different conclusion. You can use the search function if you want to find them again... I just don't have the energy to devote to leg-work on this subject as it obviously doesn't matter. So, take that for what you will, I guess.
This is a common one.
https://cyclehelmets.org/1026.html
This is a common one.
https://cyclehelmets.org/1026.html
(I've seen the page you link. That site has an agenda to push, so its figures and arguments all bear extra scrutiny and further independent research.)
#1440
Senior Member
Same thing happened here when the people pushing for a helmet law provided "evidence" that head injuries for cyclists were "in fact" worse for bicyclists than motorcyclists.
This lack of objectivity is astounding
#1441
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Is cycling dangerous-------no. Why do I wear a helmet? Accidents do happen. Good thots, safe riding, and the feeling of invincibility cannot and will not prevent accidents. I do not believe all those against helmets throw away any and all safety devices in their lives. My helmet is simply a safety device for cycling that once it is on completely forgotten. Also as I have stated before the safety aspect is NOT the only reason for wearing a helmet. There is sun protection, a place to mount a mirror, and in my case a place to mount a visor.
I still say arguing against such a simple thing is really nuts. Anti helmet people need to get a life. Their bleating against helmets are falling on deaf ears.
Is cycling dangerous-------no. Why do I wear a helmet? Accidents do happen. Good thots, safe riding, and the feeling of invincibility cannot and will not prevent accidents. I do not believe all those against helmets throw away any and all safety devices in their lives. My helmet is simply a safety device for cycling that once it is on completely forgotten. Also as I have stated before the safety aspect is NOT the only reason for wearing a helmet. There is sun protection, a place to mount a mirror, and in my case a place to mount a visor.
I still say arguing against such a simple thing is really nuts. Anti helmet people need to get a life. Their bleating against helmets are falling on deaf ears.
#1442
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#1443
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Is cycling dangerous-------no. Why do I wear a helmet? Accidents do happen. Good thots, safe riding, and the feeling of invincibility cannot and will not prevent accidents. I do not believe all those against helmets throw away any and all safety devices in their lives. My helmet is simply a safety device for cycling that once it is on completely forgotten. Also as I have stated before the safety aspect is NOT the only reason for wearing a helmet. There is sun protection, a place to mount a mirror, and in my case a place to mount a visor.
I still say arguing against such a simple thing is really nuts. Anti helmet people need to get a life. Their bleating against helmets are falling on deaf ears.
Is cycling dangerous-------no. Why do I wear a helmet? Accidents do happen. Good thots, safe riding, and the feeling of invincibility cannot and will not prevent accidents. I do not believe all those against helmets throw away any and all safety devices in their lives. My helmet is simply a safety device for cycling that once it is on completely forgotten. Also as I have stated before the safety aspect is NOT the only reason for wearing a helmet. There is sun protection, a place to mount a mirror, and in my case a place to mount a visor.
I still say arguing against such a simple thing is really nuts. Anti helmet people need to get a life. Their bleating against helmets are falling on deaf ears.
But I do think the admission that cycling is not particularly dangerous is a good step for you lot. It severely undermines the "idiot/organ donor/Darwinism" attacks, if nothing else.
#1447
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Yes. I'm a big proponent of replacing airbags with 6" spikes.
Link to the study in question, for those that follow links: https://media.fietsersbond.nl/botsvri..._accidents.pdf
Last edited by Six-Shooter; 02-18-12 at 11:50 AM.
#1448
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#1449
Senior Member
Nice edit. I was going to go down a different road, but now I'll change tack.
Perhaps you could show me where those posted links in post 1424 allow for exposure rates in order to see the issue of injury in context and perspective (as you said you presented them)
It was because I looked at the links that I pointed out they didn't, but maybe I missed something.
You remind me, in a way, of a local helmet use advocate when he said people should be a bit more relaxed about the minor injuries people will inevitably suffer when riding their bikes.
He said, he wasn't trying to "bubble-wrap" society but when I mentioned that almost all the falls people have from their bikes result in these minor injuries (he agreed this is what happens) he made an about face and said, any injury has the potential to become a serious injury, so therefore we should wear helmets at all times.
(Gee, that sure sounds like he's trying to "bubble-wrap" cyclists to me)
He placed more faith in the results of a single series of small case control studies than the results of what has happened with mass helmet use, or with other studies that come to different conclusions.
He is, in other words, a believer and no amount of information has swayed his opinion otherwise.
At least, not so far. There still is a possibility he can change his opinion, but I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for it.
Perhaps you could show me where those posted links in post 1424 allow for exposure rates in order to see the issue of injury in context and perspective (as you said you presented them)
It was because I looked at the links that I pointed out they didn't, but maybe I missed something.
You remind me, in a way, of a local helmet use advocate when he said people should be a bit more relaxed about the minor injuries people will inevitably suffer when riding their bikes.
He said, he wasn't trying to "bubble-wrap" society but when I mentioned that almost all the falls people have from their bikes result in these minor injuries (he agreed this is what happens) he made an about face and said, any injury has the potential to become a serious injury, so therefore we should wear helmets at all times.
(Gee, that sure sounds like he's trying to "bubble-wrap" cyclists to me)
He placed more faith in the results of a single series of small case control studies than the results of what has happened with mass helmet use, or with other studies that come to different conclusions.
He is, in other words, a believer and no amount of information has swayed his opinion otherwise.
At least, not so far. There still is a possibility he can change his opinion, but I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for it.
Last edited by closetbiker; 02-18-12 at 03:26 PM.
#1450
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I also realize that other people's decisions about what safety gear to use (or not to use) in their cars is none of my business, so I don't yell obnoxious things at them as they drive by, or start insulting threads about them, or beat them over the head with endlessly regurgitated statistics intended to make them do what I think they should.