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
#7276
Cycle Dallas
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Land of Gar, TX
Posts: 3,777
Bikes: Dulcinea--2017 Kona Rove & a few others
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 197 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
5 Posts
I may be wrong here, and may be projecting the constant (more than once per day in season) harangues from cyclists met on the road onto this thread. But without scrolling back, I'm fairly confident that more than one posters here has characterized "anti-helmet" posts very negatively.
I don't think most here ask bare-headers to justify their decision to not wear a helmet. It's more common and probably understandable that they be asked to back up any claims when trying to convince others to not wear a helmet.
This goes both ways. A helmeteer is rarely asked to justify why they choose to wear a helmet. However, when they try to convince others to wear a helmet, they are understandably asked to back up any claims.
#7277
Senior Member
Characterizing "anti-helmet" posts very negatively is not asking for justification. Similarly, characterizing "pro-helmeters" as hair-shirt nannies is rather negative, but these are also not asking for justification.
I don't think most here ask bare-headers to justify their decision to not wear a helmet. It's more common and probably understandable that they be asked to back up any claims when trying to convince others to not wear a helmet.
This goes both ways. A helmeteer is rarely asked to justify why they choose to wear a helmet. However, when they try to convince others to wear a helmet, they are understandably asked to back up any claims.
I don't think most here ask bare-headers to justify their decision to not wear a helmet. It's more common and probably understandable that they be asked to back up any claims when trying to convince others to not wear a helmet.
This goes both ways. A helmeteer is rarely asked to justify why they choose to wear a helmet. However, when they try to convince others to wear a helmet, they are understandably asked to back up any claims.
#7278
Senior Member
An ER doctor who lives near me has this opinion.
An ER doc who is against bike helmet laws? | Musings of a medical heretic
An ER doc who is against bike helmet laws? | Musings of a medical heretic
#7279
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,932
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26251 Post(s)
Liked 10,233 Times
in
7,102 Posts
An ER doctor who lives near me has this opinion.
An ER doc who is against bike helmet laws? | Musings of a medical heretic
An ER doc who is against bike helmet laws? | Musings of a medical heretic
...jeez, digger, the guy's nickname is "bighead", as in Chris "Bighead" Milburn. How do you think it got that way ?
__________________
#7281
Senior Member
Yeah, and if your nickname is "bighead" then you are not allowed to state any opinion, and internet pundits will certainly discount it with extreme prejudice and malice. On the other hand, reading the Dr's opinion piece, there really nothing new or original there that has not been hashed and rehashed here.
#7282
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I wear a helmet when cycling even though there's no law saying I have to. I have a very good understanding of the protective capabilities of bicycle helmets. I know from my personal experiences riding and crashing motorcycles that a motorcycle helmet can provide useful protection if you crash. Also, that there is no correlation between the effectiveness of motorcycle helmets and bicycle helmets.
There's a big difference between cycling and motorcycling, between bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets. I don't compare the protective qualities of one against the other because it would be ludicrous. I wore a bicycle helmet out of habit because I came from a motorcycling background, but was soon here disabused of the notion that bicycle helmets provided even a fraction of the protection a MC helmet does.
Still, what meager protection a bicycle helmet might afford in the rare case that I crash on a bicycle, and in the rarer case that said crash involves a headstrike, is worth it to me.
There's a big difference between cycling and motorcycling, between bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets. I don't compare the protective qualities of one against the other because it would be ludicrous. I wore a bicycle helmet out of habit because I came from a motorcycling background, but was soon here disabused of the notion that bicycle helmets provided even a fraction of the protection a MC helmet does.
Still, what meager protection a bicycle helmet might afford in the rare case that I crash on a bicycle, and in the rarer case that said crash involves a headstrike, is worth it to me.
John
#7283
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here is a photo of the cover of the City of Corvallis' Bicycle Ordinance & Handbook from about 1971. I think this is where a lot of people who post against helmets want us to go. There is only one problem with this, and that is that when you look at the number of bicycle fatalities during that time, they are higher in the USA than today. But look at where other countries are in their fatalities. It is not that they wear or don't wear helmets, but that the bicycling infrastructure is so different that their fatality rates are lower.
(From the Bicycling and Walking in the United States, 2012 Benchmarking Report.)
John
(From the Bicycling and Walking in the United States, 2012 Benchmarking Report.)
John
Last edited by John C. Ratliff; 03-27-14 at 10:12 AM.
#7284
Senior Member
I am not sure who these anti-helmet people who post here are, I have seen few truly anti-helmet posts. As far as "where they want us to go" do you mean somebody wants us all to go to Corvallis? I've not seen that suggestion in this forum. Or are you referring to a obviously posed publicity shot for a publication? Looks fine to me, no traffic, family bicycle outing Hard to believe you take issue with that, but I guess you find it inappropriate somehow.
And the graphic clearly shows that helmet use is not a solution to fatalities. and so**********
My observation is that helmets are useful in some (few) relatively minor accidents, if the cost of a helmet makes sense to an individual thats fine, but if not thats fine too. But then I am not a coldly logical as some.
And the graphic clearly shows that helmet use is not a solution to fatalities. and so**********
My observation is that helmets are useful in some (few) relatively minor accidents, if the cost of a helmet makes sense to an individual thats fine, but if not thats fine too. But then I am not a coldly logical as some.
#7285
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 885
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 150 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
since it turned into a 'us vs them' thing ima jump the bandwagon for fun and giggles too
pro helmet wants this:
anti-helmets want this:
pro helmet wants this:
anti-helmets want this:
#7286
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,952
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,517 Times
in
1,031 Posts
Where in the NL did you or some other photographer ever find so many people wearing helmets? As recently as my last visit 3 years ago, I can't recall seeing more than one or two in an entire day. Nor all the bike specific gaudy colored clothing. Where was this photo taken? England perhaps?
#7287
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am not sure who these anti-helmet people who post here are, I have seen few truly anti-helmet posts. As far as "where they want us to go" do you mean somebody wants us all to go to Corvallis? I've not seen that suggestion in this forum. Or are you referring to a obviously posed publicity shot for a publication? Looks fine to me, no traffic, family bicycle outing Hard to believe you take issue with that, but I guess you find it inappropriate somehow.
And the graphic clearly shows that helmet use is not a solution to fatalities. and so**********
My observation is that helmets are useful in some (few) relatively minor accidents, if the cost of a helmet makes sense to an individual thats fine, but if not thats fine too. But then I am not a coldly logical as some.
And the graphic clearly shows that helmet use is not a solution to fatalities. and so**********
My observation is that helmets are useful in some (few) relatively minor accidents, if the cost of a helmet makes sense to an individual thats fine, but if not thats fine too. But then I am not a coldly logical as some.
I was referring to the time period, not the place. Being from Eugene, I think there are only a few times you would go to Corvallis, and that is when the Ducks are there!
This isn't an "us against them" situation. It is an awareness that we are actually getting somewhat better from a fatality standpoint in the USA, in part due to helmet usage. I could have been one of those statistics some years ago now, with either a SDI (serious disabling injury) or fatal results from a bicycle accident. Either way, it would have ended my bicycling and probably my career. You can check back if you want specifics on the previous threads.
Part of it is awareness that infrastructure is important. Those in the photo above who were riding in Europe were riding on bikeways that were separated from the traffic, and crossing at a bike crossing point from what I can see. This is an important part of that equation--getting the infrastructure. Here in Beaverton, Oregon we have Bike Beaverton A Guide to Bike Routes maps, which we are currently redoing. They show bike routes with bike lanes, lower traffic through streets, moderate traffic through streets, high traffic through streets, caution areas, multi-use paths, and also show which way is uphill. These are all color-coded. This is one example of how we can better educate bicycle users obout route selection. Those did not exist in the 1970s.
As for helmets during a bicycle event, here's the Portland, Oregon Bridge Pedal 2005.
John
Last edited by John C. Ratliff; 03-27-14 at 12:18 PM. Reason: add photo of Bridge Pedal
#7289
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
So I respectfully submit my own version of your post:
Pro-helmet:
Anti-helmet:
#7290
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 885
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 150 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Where in the NL did you or some other photographer ever find so many people wearing helmets? As recently as my last visit 3 years ago, I can't recall seeing more than one or two in an entire day. Nor all the bike specific gaudy colored clothing. Where was this photo taken? England perhaps?
i like the helmet free picture more
#7291
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 885
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 150 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#7292
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,952
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,517 Times
in
1,031 Posts
I figured England would be the likely suspect for helmet wear in Europe.
I too prefer a cycling environment without all the fear driven drama.
Pictures below taken while waiting through a few traffic light cycles while standing at a corner in Gouda.
I too prefer a cycling environment without all the fear driven drama.
Pictures below taken while waiting through a few traffic light cycles while standing at a corner in Gouda.
#7293
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
John
Last edited by John C. Ratliff; 03-28-14 at 01:29 AM.
#7294
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd trade the bicycling infrastructure that is present in Gouda, The Netherlands for a helmet if I could. Instead, I must cope with a culture in the USA which promotes auto-mobility and crazy driving behavior. Since I am 68, I probably would still use a helmet when on my upright bikes, but with the recumbent and that infrastructure, a helmet would be less needed. I went to Google Maps to see where Gouda was, and got an interesting street view.
John
#7295
Senior Member
I thought I'd capture this one before you change it...there is nothing respectful about this at all. It appears from the way you express yourself that you have never served in the military of the USA. Therefore, you really don't know what it is that you are implying; you have no concept of who Hitler was, and what he is a symbol of. I find it very repugnant and insulting.
John
John
But who is the other dude? John Locke or what?
#7297
Senior Member
Nope, not an american. European. I have only a glacing interest with 'murrican history (even though you don't even have castles) but I don't know the faces of most of the notable dudes.
#7299
Senior Member
Jefferson was a notable historical character no doubt about that and the name should ring a bell with anyone. However Locke is also a notable philosopher (one of my favorites).
You should not however assume knowledge about the american history on my continent since for us it's just not that relevant. We have so much of our own stuff. Like you could do a life's work with just how the two legal systems split and are so different today even though both (civil law, better, common law, worse) have the exact same heritage. And that's just law. there's a thousand different specialities so you can imagine how busy we are.
oh how I wish I was able to post P&R
#7300
pro in someone's theory
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 3,236
Bikes: FTP
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I was assuming the opposite which was why I tried to clarify what Six jours intended. He might have meant that both pro and anti- helmet people hate the British.