Commuting - Hockey Helmet instead of bike helmet

Any reason why I shouldn't use a perfectly good hockey helment instead of buying a new bike helmet? thanks

1. Ventilation.
2. It may not be designed for the same kind of impact.
3. Cruel children and their stinging insults.

Hockey helmets are not designed for bicycle-type impacts and do not meet the impact protection requirements of the bike helmet standard.
Plus the constant obvious reminders like "hey, do yo realize you're wearing a hockey helmet" and any other stupid comments you will have to put up with.

this is actually worth a little explanation. there are two basic types of helmet designs in sports with two different purposes. The first (of which a hockey helmet is an example) is designed to protect the wearer from repeated light blows to the head. As such it is made to ditribute the force of the impact over a larger area but without any damage to the helmet itself. These helmets (football, hockey, lacrosse, etc) have a hard outer shell to dsitribute the force and a thick foam padding which compresses during the blow and then rebounds (the foam provides a greater deceleration distance for the blow, thus reducing the force on the head).
A bike helmet, in contrast, is designed to protect the wearer from one single, violent blow (instead of repeated light shocks). as such it is designed to absorb that impact but at the expense of the helmet itself. WHile bike helmets have some spreading through the use of the outer shell, their primary function is the crush and shatter to absorb the energy of the impact. So after one crash, a bike helmet needs to be replaced.
all in all, bike helmets should not be replaced with hockey helmets, unless you';re bmx-ing or something where you expect a lot of blows to the head. A hockey helmet will not be effective in a very violent collision.

A hockey helmet will give better protection than nothing. Since cycling isnt a dangerous activity, I say use the hockey helmet until you can find/afford a cycling helmet thast you like. What sort of helmet do you use when you climb a step-ladder?

If it's cold where you are, a hockey helmet should help keep your head warm. It may not be as effective as a bike helmet in violent collisions, but any helmet's better than no helmet. BTW, I just picked up a multiple impact helmet so I don't have to toss it everytime I land on my head. It also has a clip on the back to hold on to ski goggles and protects the back of the head more than most bike helmets. It's gonna be my my multi-sport helmet and winter bike helmet.

Which team? Matching jersey? It could work in Toronto during the playoffs. Provided we make the playoffs.

I thought every team in hockey made the playoffs...

Also, when you ride your bike, your back is hunched over and your head is tilted upward, so the back of your head is closer than usual to your shoulders (unless you have a very upright riding position, like on a cruiser). Bike hlemets accommodate this by not coming down too far in the back, but a hockey helmet might press against the back of your neck uncomfortably.

Wearing the hockey helmet may make you want to tear off your riding gloves and fight with every car that cuts you off. Serving all those 5 minute major fighting penalties could really add time to your commute. Save yourself the time and buy a bike helmet.

Also, your state laws (depending on your state) may specify certain certifications for a bicycle helmet. Certification that a hockey helmet would not go through the expense of performing for a secondary usage...

From a safety standpoint, I don't know, but agree with the one comment in the thread that any protection is better than none.

I'll buy that hockey helmets maybe come little too far down back of the neck.

But other than that, the rest is nonsense. It's got good ventilation. If you sweat a lot, just wear a coolmax liner like pro hockey players do. People talking about law requirements are not even sure what the law says.

You may get a lot of attention but personally I think it looks cool.

Community Bicycle supply here has a bunch of assorted helmets in a big bin near the front door, including several hockey lids. I suspect they're messenger loaners for when the city feels like cracking down on licensing reqs. One day I'll think to ask.

only if you rock the full cage face guard

Carry a hockey stick when you ride. It's convenient for swiping at cagers and sticking in the spokes of knaves. And the clear face guard doubles as eye protection from bugs and pucks.

This was my playoff bike a few years back. I got some positive comments. ;)

http://www.zweknu.org/uploads/playoff-bike-small.jpg