View Full Version : Cycling partner with no helmet
A friend who has recently taken up cycling wants to ride with me. However, last time he showed up without a helmet. I offered him one of mine, but he refused. I know it will be his brains that get splattered in an accident, not mine. So my question is, should I care and should I insist?
DataJunkie
05-10-06, 01:54 PM
His problem. I assume he is an adult.
I assume he's a mentally competent adult? Only a stupid interfering nag would even mention the lack of a hat.
-=Łem in Pa=-
05-10-06, 02:00 PM
How would you react if you rode to a restaraunt
and he told the waiter not to bring you any meat
'cuz he didint want to see your heart splattered inside
your chest?
why do you have a poll with such ridiculous options if you actually care what other people think?
ignominious
05-10-06, 02:08 PM
Unless you are under compulsion of law, respect their right as an adult to make their own decisions. Bear in mind, literally millions of people ride bicycles without helmets every single day to no detriment.
BTW, your poll is rather biased and loaded. If you want genuine opinion in your poll then don't gear the answers towards one option. Not wearing a helmet is not "wanting to kill yourself" but actually considering the risks and other factors and comeing to a fair and reasonable decision. This incidentally is why I didn't answer it.
Yeah, if "he wants to kill himself," get him a psychologist, not a helmet. What a dweeby poll.
BTW, your poll is rather biased and loaded. If you want genuine opinion in your poll then don't gear the answers towards one option.
Of course it is biased. I do have my own opinion you know. But I am not going to force it on my ride partner if folks have good reasons for why I shouldn't. After all, if I weren't biased, I wouldn't have posted the question in the first place would I?
ignominious
05-10-06, 02:21 PM
Of course it is biased. I do have my own opinion you know. But I am not going to force it on my ride partner if folks have good reasons for why I shouldn't. After all, if I weren't biased, I wouldn't have posted the question in the first place would I?
Being biased is one thing, using that bias to seek the opinion of others is something entirely different. You could benefit from learning to diffrentiate between the two.
If you have to ask, you already know the answer to your question.
I think I know two cyclists who will soon be looking for new riding partners: The nagger and the naggee.
What a dweeby poll.
Thanks for your brilliant insights into cycling safety and responsibility. Your opinion was very helpful. :rolleyes:
lyledriver
05-10-06, 02:32 PM
One thing you could do, is ride some trails that make him wish he had a helmet.
I think I know two cyclists who will soon be looking for new riding partners: The nagger and the naggee.
Not necessarily. Believe it or not, I have exercised great restraint in my comments to him. I express myself much more belligerently online. So far it seems that most are of the opinion that it should stay that way.
Are you prepared to comply with whatever demands he has of you? If not, why not?
Maybe he thinks you should only wear bright yellow jerseys, shorts, shoes and full fingered gloves.
Are you prepared to comply with whatever demands he has of you? If not, why not?
Maybe he thinks you should only wear bright yellow jerseys, shorts, shoes and full fingered gloves.
I think there is a distinct difference. Wearing a helmet is not simply a matter of fashion. And I have not demanded anything of him yet. Just wondering if I should.
Tom Stormcrowe
05-10-06, 02:45 PM
I think there is a distinct difference. Wearing a helmet is not simply a matter of fashion. And I have not demanded anything of him yet. Just wondering if I should.
My take, instead of insisting, why not gently suggest and then if he refuses, well, it's his head! :) When you do, just tell him it's because you value his friendship and would hate to see him injured. If you DEMAND he wears a helmet, you'll find yourself short 1 friend, likely!
I-Like-To-Bike
05-10-06, 02:46 PM
Yeah, if "he wants to kill himself," get him a psychologist, not a helmet. What a dweeby poll.
Or point him to a poll maker who is cruisin' for a bruisin' and should be electronically killed.
I-Like-To-Bike
05-10-06, 02:50 PM
I think there is a distinct difference. Wearing a helmet is not simply a matter of fashion. And I have not demanded anything of him yet. Just wondering if I should.
I know what I would demand of you in return but you probably would find it difficult to do by yourself.
I know what I would demand of you in return but you probably would find it difficult to do by yourself.
Maybe you would be willing to help. :eek:
I-Like-To-Bike
05-10-06, 03:04 PM
Maybe you would be willing to help. :eek:
Maybe you can use your helmet instead and put it where your polling ideas belong.
I am the lone dissenter. I would not ride with that helmetless person. :p
you guys make me ashamed to be a miyazaki fan.
Keith99
05-10-06, 03:20 PM
If I call the OP a Safety Nazi will this thread die or get closed?
Cyclaholic
05-10-06, 03:33 PM
I am the lone dissenter. I would not ride with that helmetless person. :p
Choosing to not ride with him is different to the op's option of demanding that he wear a helmet.
Choosing to not ride with him is different to the op's option of demanding that he wear a helmet.
Actually choosing not to ride with him is the same thing as demanding he wear a helmet or else...
After all, this is a free country. He is free to wear a helmet or not. And I am free to choose not to ride with him if he doesn't. What did you think I meant when I said "insisting?" Certainly nothing physical, I hope.
you guys make me ashamed to be a miyazaki fan.
Well, you should be!!! ;)
One question, is he carrying the weed? If so, shut up and ride.
If not ditch him.
closetbiker
05-10-06, 04:19 PM
He's an adult and should be able to make his own choices.
You might also like to know,
cycle helmets are principally concerned with protecting from falls from a cycle without any third party involvement and generally at lower speeds. They are intended for use by pedal cyclists on ordinary roads, particularily by young riders in the 5 years to 14 years age group, but which may also be used off road. It is not intended for high speed or long distance cycling or for riders taking part in competitive events. The fact is, cycle helmets are the most fragile type of safety helmet. In todays road traffic accidents, it's not unlikely for a helmet to be subjected to severity loads greater than it is designed to cope with.
Don't fool yourself, it's not a magic hat.
I know it will be his brains that get splattered in an accident, not mine.
Um, actually, you don't know that.
Helmets aren't magical hats of invulnerability. You can still get in an accident, and even get your brains splattered.
Although, your brain spray would have little chunks of polystyrene foam mixed in. So, from an artistic standpoint, there's always that advantage.
- Jeff
He's an adult and should be able to make his own choices.
Don't fool yourself, it's not a magic hat.
I very rarely see riders without helmets, so I am surprised by the comments posted here, to say the least.
After all, how many times have I heard the "Helmets save lives" slogan.
Hawkear
05-10-06, 04:43 PM
I see fewer than 1 in 100 riders without helmets, so I am surprised by the comments posted here, to say the least.
After all, how many times have I heard the "Helmets save lives" slogan.Choosing to wear a helmet is different than forcing that choice upon another.
closetbiker
05-10-06, 04:48 PM
After all, how many times have I heard the "Helmets save lives" slogan.
probably as many times as you've had listening to someone who doesn't know what he's talking about.
cyclezealot
05-10-06, 04:57 PM
I did not respond to the poll because I did not like the wording. But, it is a legitimate concern.
First of all. Think such a person would not make way to our group, because they would not feel a part of the group. If they did. They might not be hounded constantly , but our feelings would be known sometime, during each and every ride.
We all might have to see his/her brains scattered about the asphalt. No thanks.
I might ask if he forgot it - once. After that, I'd ignore the issue. I will not however, move my motor vehicle unless everyone is seat belted. Again though, I am unconcerned with the restraint status of people in other vehicles. I do always wear a helmet when riding as well. Whether you do or not is only your concern.
Are you prepared to comply with whatever demands he has of you? If not, why not?
Maybe he thinks you should only wear bright yellow jerseys, shorts, shoes and full fingered gloves.
I think there is a distinct difference. Wearing a helmet is not simply a matter of fashion. And I have not demanded anything of him yet. Just wondering if I should.
Maybe he sees the bright yellow thing as a safety issue. I guess you think being more visible to motorist as only a fashion statement. Again, are you prepared to comply with his demands?
closetbiker
05-10-06, 06:22 PM
A friend who has recently taken up cycling wants to ride with me. However, last time he showed up without a helmet. I offered him one of mine, but he refused. I know it will be his brains that get splattered in an accident, not mine. So my question is, should I care and should I insist?
If these guys were friendly to you and wanted to ride with you, but only if you didn't wear a helmet, would you go on that ride?
http://www.hickoksports.com/images/lemond_greg.jpg
http://mi.oakley.com/media/brochures/news/armstrong/main_lance_image.jpg
http://www.fotodatabase.nl/foto/Fotografen/ProShots/Wielrennen/Coureurs/Pantani-Marco/Pantani-Marco.jpg
http://www.terra.es/personal/cadcad/imagenes/migueli.jpg
http://www.uci.ch/data_2001/road/worlds/pixbin/ttm_JanUllrich5.jpg
If these guys were friendly to you and wanted to ride with you, but only if you didn't wear a helmet, would you go on that ride?
Nice pics.
However, since this is evolving into an anti-bike helmet thread, let me address those pics one by one.
1. Taken before helmets came into general use
2. Publicity shot for advertising v. actual riding
3-5. Taken in a closed race in which there is no traffic to contend with and racers are traveling up hill at relatively low speed.
Keep in mind, if you fall off a relatively short cliff with deep mud at the bottom and your helmet snags onto a mighty branch, you can and will HANG YOURSELF. So keep this in mind the next time you're wondering if a helmet will help you or kill you.
A helmet will not protect you in that situation. I repeat, the HELMET will NOT PROTECT YOU in that situation.
joejack951
05-10-06, 06:39 PM
3-5. Taken in a closed race in which there is no traffic to contend with and racers are traveling up hill at relatively low speed.
Funny that you'd say that with a picture of Jan in there, you know, the pro who crashed into the back of his own team car.
Using automobile traffic as a defense for wearing a helmet is not going to get you anywhere. Even the smallest car can easily crush a cyclist.
side note: I would make Greg take off those goofy sunglasses before I'd be seen in public with him.
cyclezealot
05-10-06, 06:40 PM
It's true. Most of us are libertarian at heart. To each his own. Usually.
Hate to be judgemental. But, some of our personal experiences-are just personal. I feel a helmet saved me from a much worse injury. One's personal experiences rules one's convictions. No one will convince another otherwise. Helmets should be a matter of personal choice. Just we don't want our friends and co-riders hurt unnecessarily before our very eyes.
Another point. The major tours now require helmets, I think. Won't see pros riding helmetless in the big tours anymore.
closetbiker
05-10-06, 06:40 PM
Nice pics.
However, since this is evolving into an anti-bike helmet thread, let me address those pics one by one.
1. Taken before helmets came into general use
2. Publicity shot for advertising v. actual riding
3-5. Taken in a closed race in which there is no traffic to contend with and racers are traveling up hill at relatively low speed.
not really, and the point is, if the partner was "cool" enough, would the requirement be dropped? I think so.
I-Like-To-Bike
05-10-06, 06:49 PM
I very rarely see riders without helmets, so I am surprised by the comments posted here, to say the least.
After all, how many times have I heard the "Helmets save lives" slogan.
http://deephousepage.com/smilies/jerkit.gif
I think what's ridiculous is a lot of people who say helmets don't really work all that well and don't believe in them also believe in washing their hands after taking a pi** or s**t, I mean, is that really necessary??
Whatever's on your hand after you wipe your ass is probably no dirtier than the computer keyboard at work anyway.
I-Like-To-Bike
05-10-06, 07:02 PM
I think what's ridiculous is a lot of people who say helmets don't really work all that well and don't believe in them also believe in washing their hands after taking a pi** or s**t, I mean, is that really necessary??
Whatever's on your hand after you wipe your ass is probably no dirtier than the computer keyboard at work anyway.
Have you taken a poll on this subject with helmet skeptics? Ridiculous is right!
Have you taken a poll on this subject with helmet skeptics? Ridiculous is right!
I'm not sure I want to know the results of THAT one. :p
Cyclaholic
05-10-06, 07:09 PM
If these guys were friendly to you and wanted to ride with you, but only if you didn't wear a helmet, would you go on that ride?
I would wear my helmet and tell them that they can come for a ride with me if they so choose and I couldn't care less if they wear their helmet or not.
Irecognise Armstrong but whose the rest of those guys? the third one down looks like Ghandi :p
chipcom
05-10-06, 07:33 PM
Wearing a helmet is not simply a matter of fashion.
Considering the effectiveness of a helmet in anything but a slow moving fall-down-go-boom, yes it is simply a matter of fashion. Indeed, that's what really burns you up, not that he might get hurt, but that you won't look cool riding with him. Yeah, you'll deny it, but I got your number and I know it.
chipcom
05-10-06, 07:39 PM
I very rarely see riders without helmets, so I am surprised by the comments posted here, to say the least.
After all, how many times have I heard the "Helmets save lives" slogan.
Perhaps you need to open your eyes and pay less attention to slogans. Riding safely, according to the rules of the road (OMG I sound like HH) saves lives, helmets only come into play after things go wrong. Pay more attention to riding in a manner where you are not putting yourself at excessive risk and less attention to a freakin plastic hat.
You know, I don't diss folks for wearing helmets, why is it that you goodinskis can't return the courtesy when an adult makes a personal decision not to wear one?
chipcom
05-10-06, 07:42 PM
Nice pics.
However, since this is evolving into an anti-bike helmet thread, let me address those pics one by one.
1. Taken before helmets came into general use
2. Publicity shot for advertising v. actual riding
3-5. Taken in a closed race in which there is no traffic to contend with and racers are traveling up hill at relatively low speed.
Are you freakin kidding? Man, what color is the sky in your world?
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