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
#4751
xtrajack
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,058
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Back in my first adult riding career (early '80's as a commuter/utility cyclist) I didn't wear a helmet, until one night, on my way into work, a rabbit came out of nowhere in the middle of a fast downhill run, right in front of me. After that, I decided that a hemet might not be such a bad idea.
When I started riding again in 2008, I found a vintage Bell Tourlite helmet that I am currently wearing.
I have heard that helmets should be replaced every five years, (personally, I think it is a marketing thing), so it can be argued that my helmet isn't really doing much to protect my head, but, I figure that it is doing more than a helmet that I won't wear. I don't like the looks of any of the currently available helmets. I wouldn't wear any of them.
edited to add:
I would ride without a helmet long before I would ride without a mirror.
When I started riding again in 2008, I found a vintage Bell Tourlite helmet that I am currently wearing.
I have heard that helmets should be replaced every five years, (personally, I think it is a marketing thing), so it can be argued that my helmet isn't really doing much to protect my head, but, I figure that it is doing more than a helmet that I won't wear. I don't like the looks of any of the currently available helmets. I wouldn't wear any of them.
edited to add:
I would ride without a helmet long before I would ride without a mirror.
#4752
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 231
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My stance is that it up to you whether or not to wear a helmet. However, if you don't wear one you should not use your insurance for any medical bills related to a head injury.
#4754
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
"If you don't wear a neck brace you should not use your insurance for any medical bills related to a neck injury."
And so on and so forth.
#4755
Bicikli Huszár
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 2,116
Bikes: '95 Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In fairness, I don't really think that everyone here is obsessed about helmets. It's just the conversation needed to be put in its own place because it never plays nice in public... like VC but less (maybe) vehement.
#4757
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 231
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#4759
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,974
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
#4760
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 38
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm still wearing my helmet so please spare me the hairy chested, knuckle dragging, hope I die witticisms.
#4761
Senior Member
Your complaints should be directed towards insurance companies. The fact that you've accepted how they do business is almost as pathetic as your notion everybody who rides without a helmet WILL crash WILL sustain head trauma and worst of all according to you WILL cause YOUR rates to go up. I would call you clueless but I know you've read the doctor's post on this thread where they say helmets don't help in head traumas. They help with head booboos. but it's all about you saving a dime with you. You don't care about the injured cyclists you care about a 25 cent increase in your costs.
I'm still wearing my helmet so please spare me the hairy chested, knuckle dragging, hope I die witticisms.
I'm still wearing my helmet so please spare me the hairy chested, knuckle dragging, hope I die witticisms.
Maybe you should direct your screed at member robble, who brought up insurance in the first place. I was merely trying to enlighten through example, using the same nonsense he first spouted.
Please point out where I said, "...everybody who rides without a helmet WILL crash WILL sustain head trauma and worst of all according to you WILL cause YOUR rates to go up." You may please quote directly from any post I've made, ever.
I care about cyclist safety. Helmets are a part of that, but a very minor part. I wear a helmet very nearly any time I ride a bicycle. I certainly don't count on it to keep me safe, except in the rarest of occasions.
You know nothing about me or what I do regarding cycling safety. I doubt you do more. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
I certainly do hope you die, but I also hope I die someday as well -- immortality does not appeal to me. May your death occur at a time when you are in a state of grace, at an apogee point in your life, after living however much life you prefer to live.
#4762
Bicikli Huszár
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 2,116
Bikes: '95 Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#4763
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 38
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've read too much of this thread and for all your flowery prose, consistency is not your strong suit. Most of time you are not arguing a position, you are just arguing.
#4764
Senior Member
The insurance gambit is especially offensive to me, so I commented on it in kind, trying to offer an illustrative refutation, which you completely misinterpreted.
I note that you got nothing, NOTHING, regarding my request that you cite where I said what you claim I said, nor are you interested in challenging my commitment to cycling safety. As expected.
I argue against hyperbole, but there are plenty here who enjoy engaging in such. You've proven to be one of them.
#4765
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
Even though he's wrong almost all the time...
#4767
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 231
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do people who choose not to wear helmets also choose to not wear seatbelts?
#4768
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,974
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
#4769
Bicikli Huszár
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 2,116
Bikes: '95 Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
No. I wear a seatbelt religiously. They come pre-installed in the car, there's no inconvenience for me using them, and they have a proven track record of effectiveness. In my case, all of those factors being different for bike helmets led to a different choice.
#4770
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,849
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12778 Post(s)
Liked 7,695 Times
in
4,084 Posts
#4771
Senior Member
I wear a helmet every time I ride a motorcycle.
I wear a seatbelt any time I'm in a car/truck.
I do not wear a helmet in a car, on the bus, on a train, on a plane, while walking, while showering, or while on a ladder.
#4772
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,687
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1126 Post(s)
Liked 253 Times
in
204 Posts
When national health insurance goes into full operation they won't have that choice about wearing a helmet, it will be required to wear a helmet or their head injuries won't be covered. So they might as well get use to the idea sooner rather then later.
#4773
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,849
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12778 Post(s)
Liked 7,695 Times
in
4,084 Posts
I did for nearly every ride I did in the 1990s.
I'm about 50/50 on lifetime MC rides, haven't been on one since the early 1990s, though.[/quote]
I usually do. I guess the last time without was in a 55 chevy with no belts[/quote]
Helmets are required for most auto racing and airplane racing, not for racewalking, shower or ladder racing, however. Not sure what current train racing regulations are like.
I'm about 50/50 on lifetime MC rides, haven't been on one since the early 1990s, though.[/quote]
I usually do. I guess the last time without was in a 55 chevy with no belts[/quote]
Helmets are required for most auto racing and airplane racing, not for racewalking, shower or ladder racing, however. Not sure what current train racing regulations are like.
#4774
Senior Member
Not sure if serious, tending to believe not...
I'd certainly fight this at the state level, no matter what.
#4775
Banned.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Uncertain
Posts: 8,651
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I see no reason why the US system wouldn't take a similar line.