I cannot speak for others, but I was involved in a bike crash in which the helmet kept a minor closed head injury from being a very bad closed/open head injury.
So you repeated the experiment with and without the helmet, and you did it a statistically valid number of times?

Helmets are comfortable (I actually like wearing my TSG Evolution because it's so comfortable, I can happily wear it for 4-5 hours at a time without even thinking of taking it off once), they do protect people and I truely believe they can save lives. So why not wear one?!

I have absolutely no problem with this -- as long as you are talking about yourself and not "everybody".

I have absolutely no problem with this -- as long as you are talking about yourself and not "everybody".

Yes, I am talking about myself. Personally I'm a very strict helmet wearer. I won't even sit on a bike without wearing one and I have to say, I prefer it when people I ride with wear one as well (which for the most part they do). If someone I'm riding with doesn't have a helmet I'll always offer to lend them one of mine. If they don't want to wear it, that's entirely their choice. I used to be quite forceful in my insistance people I'm with wear a helmet, but there really isn't any point. If people don't want to wear one, it's their choice to make and it isn't my place to tell them they're wrong.


That said there's a group of friends I ride with and we've all agreed that when riding together helmets must be worn, and if anyone wants to join us they must wear a helmet as well. If they want to ride without a helmet on their own that's fine, but when riding as a group a helmet must be worn.

I put mine on when I do hardcore MTBing but don't bother for commuting or light trail.

I'm curious those of you who mentioned you've hit your head many times. I must've fallen off my bike 100 times when I was a kid and never once fell on my head, I alawys just instinctively put my hands out to catch myself, even when I was 5. Are you not able to do that for some reason, or were your falls just so incredibly sudden that you didn't have time?

That said there's a group of friends I ride with and we've all agreed that when riding together helmets must be worn, and if anyone wants to join us they must wear a helmet as well. If they want to ride without a helmet on their own that's fine, but when riding as a group a helmet must be worn.
So what would you do if a helmetless guy started following you?

Precisely, wearing a helmet is so easy to do. If you find one that fits well they really are comfortable to wear and should you fall, you really do value it when you've just hit your head hard and you're looking at a very dented, scratched or cracked helmet thinking 'what if I hadn't been wearing that'.

Helmets are comfortable (I actually like wearing my TSG Evolution because it's so comfortable, I can happily wear it for 4-5 hours at a time without even thinking of taking it off once), they do protect people and I truely believe they can save lives. So why not wear one?!

Because, in general, if a helmet is comfortable enough to wear every ride without thinking about it, it's probably also rather expensive and a good portion of the people I know who ride bikes for transportation/utility can't afford them?

Personally, I have a Bell Solar, which is pretty lightweight, and more comfortable than any helmet I've had before... and affordable at around $30... but I would never call it 'comfortable' to wear for hours without ever thinking of taking it off... in fact, I much prefer riding without it and only wear it on organized rides that require it, or if I'm riding in the mountains where descents of 30 minutes or more at 40+ mph are not at all uncommon.

Because I commute on a military base, I have to wear a helmet. So I do.

So what would you do if a helmetless guy started following you?

Knock 'em down to teach 'em a lesson about riding safely, is my guess. :lol:

Knock 'em down to teach 'em a lesson about riding safely, is my guess. :lol:

:thumb:

Knock 'em down to teach 'em a lesson about riding safely, is my guess. :lol:

If a helmetless guy started following us we'd just stop and not ride any further until he either put a helmet on (we simply don't ride if someone isn't wearing a helmet) or buggered off. If he didn't do either of those, then we'd knock him off. :p

If a helmetless guy started following us we'd just stop and not ride any further until he either put a helmet on (we simply don't ride if someone isn't wearing a helmet) or buggered off.

I sure hope I get the chance to ride with you guys some day. I'll bring a Campy cap and a book, and we can stand around in the gutter all day long. :lol:

I'm not big on the whole "helmet" thing... I mean... if some "driver" runs me over and kills me... you know... he'll probably get a nasty ticket and his insurance will make him take a defensive driving course so he'll flee the scene more quickly next time and maybe... feel a twinge of guilt for 15 minutes during christmas... and then... my life will have amounted to something.

Helmets are great for mounting front/rear lights, attaching earmuffs for winter, keeping your head dry in the rain, and keeping the sun off your head. Safety enhancement is minimal, but I haven't found a better way to accomplish all of the above than using a helmet. Especially if you ride multiple bikes, mounting your lights to your helmet makes it easy to move them from one bike to another.

I always do, but I'm not convinced it's stupid not to. I wear one out of habit, and it's a habit I intend to keep. Also, my helmet has a rear view mirror on it, which I rely on.

I always do, I am an aggressive rider and have been down and hit and have slammed into pavement with the helmet on thus saving from concussions :)

If bicycle helmets are so essential for safety then why don't Europeans wear helmets in similar numbers as Americans do? The only cyclist I've seen wearing helmets in Europe are of the serious variety; not the person cycling to work and from work, or to the corner store. I know some will say that European roadways are more cycling friendly. And that is true. But why are people still insisting on wearing helmets on dedicated walking/cycling trails? Perhaps it's because the average American bicycle rider is a poor cyclist who is likely to hit a tree even with no cars around?

I personally think Americans have been duped into an unnecessary level of safety by helmet manufactures and busy-body legislatures. The manufactures make the money. And the law-makers get to point out how they "made a difference " in the lives of their constituents.

Start down the helmet use road and the board may wind up like this:



http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=96298

If bicycle helmets are so essential for safety then why don't Europeans wear helmets in similar numbers as Americans do? The only cyclist I've seen wearing helmets in Europe are of the serious variety; not the person cycling to work and from work, or to the corner store. I know some will say that European roadways are more cycling friendly. And that is true. But why are people still insisting on wearing helmets on dedicated walking/cycling trails? Perhaps it's because the average American bicycle rider is a poor cyclist who is likely to hit a tree even with no cars around?

I personally think Americans have been duped into an unnecessary level of safety by helmet manufactures and busy-body legislatures. The manufactures make the money. And the law-makers get to point out how they "made a difference " in the lives of their constituents.
It just takes one bad crash to have a permanent and devastating brain injury. I've met a number of brain injury survivors (including at least two who were injured while cycling) and I wouldn't wish their lives on anyone.

If bicycle helmets are so essential for safety then why don't Europeans wear helmets in similar numbers as Americans do? The only cyclist I've seen wearing helmets in Europe are of the serious variety; not the person cycling to work and from work, or to the corner store. I know some will say that European roadways are more cycling friendly. And that is true. But why are people still insisting on wearing helmets on dedicated walking/cycling trails? Perhaps it's because the average American bicycle rider is a poor cyclist who is likely to hit a tree even with no cars around?

I personally think Americans have been duped into an unnecessary level of safety by helmet manufactures and busy-body legislatures. The manufactures make the money. And the law-makers get to point out how they "made a difference " in the lives of their constituents.

I will say I basically always wear one, but mainly my reason is because it is the law for my kids to wear one (under 18) and I want to model that for them and set a good example. However, I'm very interested in the more European style of utility cycling than what I've always seen as cycling in the US. I am new to "utility" cycling, so am wondering if someone would mind pointing out the arguments against helmet wearing. Do they ever cause more injury than prevent? I guess I'm thinking like some have said that if I get slammed into by big car, it isn't going to do a bit of good, but if I fall off and knock my head on pavement, it might not hurt to have one on. Curious if I'm wrong in that assumption.

Thanks all,
Kim:)

I will say I basically always wear one, but mainly my reason is because it is the law for my kids to wear one (under 18) and I want to model that for them and set a good example. However, I'm very interested in the more European style of utility cycling than what I've always seen as cycling in the US. I am new to "utility" cycling, so am wondering if someone would mind pointing out the arguments against helmet wearing. Do they ever cause more injury than prevent? I guess I'm thinking like some have said that if I get slammed into by big car, it isn't going to do a bit of good, but if I fall off and knock my head on pavement, it might not hurt to have one on. Curious if I'm wrong in that assumption.

Thanks all,
Kim:)

Anti-helmet advocates are generally opposed to helmet wearing because they don't like A.) messing up their hair, B.) looking "silly, scared, or different", C.) feeling obligated to change their habits, or D.) they truly believe helmets don't help. Unfortunately, many mask these true reasons by spreading anti-helmet FUD, claiming helmets are useless, and generally implying people who wear them are cowardly.

Kim, you are right in your assumption that the helmet more than likely will not help in a major crash with an auto, but it can help with low speed impacts, especially with pavement and other objects. I've had two low speed incidents in which the helmet protected my head. Both times, the front wheel of my bike got caught in a open joint running the longwise with the pavement. Both times, it was unavoidable, the result of being forced over by vehicles. Once, I wound up at the emergency room with pretty bad abrasions above the eye and some other facial damge, but no concussion. The helmet, though, was cracked. The other incident was one in which the helmet hit the curb, saving me from, at the very least, a nasty headache. I have my doubts there are any statistics showing helmets lead to more severe injuries.

It just takes one bad crash to have a permanent and devastating brain injury. I've met a number of brain injury survivors (including at least two who were injured while cycling) and I wouldn't wish their lives on anyone.

And how many Europeans have you met who wear helmets while cycling to work? Considering how anal and parental the EU is about virtual everything these days (even specifying the shape, colour, and size of fruits and vegetables that can be sold) you'd think if wearing a helmet while cycling was all that important it would be a law well before now.

The real danger to riders, and others, are with those who ride on sidewalks and in the wrong direction. Now the Europeans have laws against that. :thumb:

I agree. I personally have doubts as to whether helmets really make much difference in a serious accident, but they're a lot better than nothing at all, so I always wear one anyway. I don't think people are putting themselves in grave danger if they choose to ride without one.

+1

However, one more point: My helmet is bright yellow. That is probably 60% of the reason I wear it.

I've been a helmet wearer since 1990. I had a styling Bell Pro with the red and black lycra cover. I lasted me a few years until I whacked the front of my head and flattened it!! So I got another one........

Anti-helmet advocates are generally opposed to helmet wearing because they don't like A.) messing up their hair, B.) looking "silly, scared, or different", C.) feeling obligated to change their habits, or D.) they truly believe helmets don't help. Unfortunately, many mask these true reasons by spreading anti-helmet FUD, claiming helmets are useless, and generally implying people who wear them are cowardly.

This is almost entirely make-believe.

This is almost entirely make-believe.

Feel free to give your reasons for not wearing a helmet. I'm relating what I've heard from others, but it would be great to have some first-hand accounts from folks who choose not to wear in this thread.

I already have, as have others.

The real danger to riders, and others, are with those who ride on sidewalks and in the wrong direction. Now the Europeans have laws against that. :thumb:
We have laws about those things too. Most riders are pretty good about riding with traffic and staying off the sidewalks and riding in the direction of traffic. The ones who disregard those rules are in a tiny minority. They also tend to be the ones who disregard our helmet law.

Feel free to give your reasons for not wearing a helmet. I'm relating what I've heard from others, but it would be great to have some first-hand accounts from folks who choose not to wear in this thread.

I do not wear a helmet because I grew up not wearing a helmet and see no reason to change now. I lived in Belgium for many years and never considered wearing a helmet until I came back to the States. I couldn't believe the percentage of people cycling at 5mph (or less) in parks wearing helmets. I'm 45 years old and been in a few accidents [ two with cars] but I never had a head injury.

What I find amusing is how many Americans [especially with the mindset of this particular type of forum] like to point out how enlighten Europeans are in so many social and political aspects of society but fail to mention that people in Europe, as a whole, don't wear helmets when cycling.

So why do Americans feel the need to compel others to wear helmets when not wearing helmets is so European? :)

I already have, as have others.

That's great.

I do not wear a helmet because I grew up not wearing a helmet and see no reason to change now. I lived in Belgium for many years and never considered wearing a helmet until I came back to the States. I couldn't believe the percentage of people cycling at 5mph (or less) in parks wearing helmets. I'm 45 years old and been in a few accidents [ two with cars] but I never had a head injury.

What I find amusing is how many Americans [especially with the mindset of this particular type of forum] like to point out how enlighten Europeans are in so many social and political aspects of society but fail to mention that people in Europe, as a whole, don't wear helmets when cycling.

So why do Americans feel the need to compel others to wear helmets when not wearing helmets is so European?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I think it depends on where you go. In my experience, most folks, helmet-wearing or not, aren't out to convert the other half to their team. Much as in religion, most people are content to do their own thing. It's generally a smaller subset of people who evangelize in either direction. Personally, I'm pro-helmet, but besides my immediate family, I'm not out to get others to wear helmets. It's the same thing with seatbelts; I always wear them, but if someone other than my folks chooses not to, that's a personal deal.

If you're referring to situations where helmet use is the law, well, the law is the law. Protesting requirements there is like protesting seatbelt laws or speed limit laws or insurance laws. Riding a bicycle or driving a car on public land isn't a right; it's a privilege. As long as one does so, one must follow the rules of the road.

With regard to the issue of Europeans not wearing helmets, I've always seen that as an offshoot of infrastructure. Bring dedicated bike lanes, enforced speed limits, legal protection under the law, and a 33% cyclist density to the US, and people here will be far more likely to ride without helmets. But as long as it's much more dangerous to cycle in the US than it is to cycle in the EU, people will be more likely to wear helmets here. And as long as cycling in the EU is a much safer, accepted, protected, and otherwise normal activity there than here, fewer people there will see the need to wear helmets.

I couldn't believe the percentage of people cycling at 5mph (or less) in parks wearing helmets.

That's more than fast enough. If a six foot man standing upright looses blood pressure and falls on a concrete floor, the fall can do enough damage to cause permanent brain damage if not death. Your skull is weak, and even if it doesn't crack your brain will bounce off of it.

That's great.



Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I think it depends on where you go. In my experience, most folks, helmet-wearing or not, aren't out to convert the other half to their team. Much as in religion, most people are content to do their own thing. It's generally a smaller subset of people who evangelize in either direction. Personally, I'm pro-helmet, but besides my immediate family, I'm not out to get others to wear helmets. It's the same thing with seatbelts; I always wear them, but if someone other than my folks chooses not to, that's a personal deal.

If you're referring to situations where helmet use is the law, well, the law is the law. Protesting requirements there is like protesting seatbelt laws or speed limit laws or insurance laws. Riding a bicycle or driving a car on public land isn't a right; it's a privilege. As long as one does so, one must follow the rules of the road.

With regard to the issue of Europeans not wearing helmets, I've always seen that as an offshoot of infrastructure. Bring dedicated bike lanes, enforced speed limits, legal protection under the law, and a 33% cyclist density to the US, and people here will be far more likely to ride without helmets. But as long as it's much more dangerous to cycle in the US than it is to cycle in the EU, people will be more likely to wear helmets here. And as long as cycling in the EU is a much safer, accepted, protected, and otherwise normal activity there than here, fewer people there will see the need to wear helmets.

Okay, I understand it's far more dangerous on the street in American than in Europe. And I agree I go without a helmet at a greater peril here than in the Belgium. But I think it's juts plain silly to wear a helmet when one knows that they are ONLY going to ride on bicycle paths in a park.

By they way, I also think its a waste of time for most people to stretch before a walk. I mean they are just walking at a causual pace in many cases. I once ask a man who I knew was a walker , "Do you stretch before you get up from the sofa too" . He didn't appreciate my insight in the matter. I passed him three times before I finished my 1Ok Run. Oh, and I don't stretch before my run. I'm not running a sprint. So I prefer to loosen my muscles with a slightly slower pace. But I do stretch at the end of the jog.

That's more than fast enough. If a six foot man standing upright looses blood pressure and falls on a concrete floor, the fall can do enough damage to cause permanent brain damage if not death. Your skull is weak, and even if it doesn't crack your brain will bounce off of it.

Also true. Whether one wears a helmet or not may be a personal choice, but sadly, physics has little to do with choices. Most injuries at home occur from falls at standing height. And carpet is a lot softer than concrete. Ultimately, you don't need any forward motion on a bicycle (or on foot) to sustain irreversible brain damage from a fall.

I think in most cases of damage, actually, the skull doesn't fracture. The damage is caused by the brain smashing against the inside of the skull, which either leads to immediate damage, or to swelling (like a bruise), which then leads to damage, coma, or death, due to the limited space inside the skull. That's why you're always supposed to get any head injury checked out, even if you don't have visible bleeding/fractures. If your brain swells inside your head, it can kill you hours or days later.

That's more than fast enough. If a six foot man standing upright looses blood pressure and falls on a concrete floor, the fall can do enough damage to cause permanent brain damage if not death. Your skull is weak, and even if it doesn't crack your brain will bounce off of it.

Then all men, six feet and taller, should wear protective helmets on their heads at ALL TIMES when walking or standing.

Many years ago I was out on a seemingly innocuous errand in the city sans lid. I got a crazy hair to jump a ditch and did as much, yet in the landing I erred. I was used to biking up or down hills with consistent grade, yet a ditch has an opposite grade on both sides. I endo'd and broke my shoulder blade in several places. Had I hit my head I would either be dead right now or be a vegetable.

I wear a helmet. Always, always wear a helmet. I don't think you're stupid now for not wearing a helmet, but the very real possibility exists that you will be stupid in the near future. None of us wants that.

If we're discussing the differences between the rules in America and Europe, we need to remember two important factors.

First, Europe has a much more bike-friendly culture than America.

Second, I've heard American cyclists tend to travel a lot faster than European cyclists. (For those of you who live or have lived in both parts of the world, please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Many years ago I was out on a seemingly innocuous errand in the city sans lid. I got a crazy hair to jump a ditch and did as much, yet in the landing I erred. I was used to biking up or down hills with consistent grade, yet a ditch has an opposite grade on both sides. I endo'd and broke my shoulder blade in several places. Had I hit my head I would either be dead right now or be a vegetable.

I wear a helmet. Always, always wear a helmet. I don't think you're stupid now for not wearing a helmet, but the very real possibility exists that you will be stupid in the near future. None of us wants that.

So... because you did something idiotic we're always supposed to wear a helmet? Makes perfect sense to me. :rolleyes:

Then all men, six feet and taller, should wear protective helmets on their heads at ALL TIMES when walking or standing.

Pretty much, you freakishly large people absolutely cannot be trusted to stand on your own two feet.

Just as a funny side note related to this, I have blacked out and hit my head from standing more than I have fallen on a bicycle.

So... because you did something idiotic we're always supposed to wear a helmet? Makes perfect sense to me. :rolleyes:

And still didn't hit his head, mind you. :p

Well I don't intend to hit my head and I know about ditches.I've been doing the car free all my life. but I guess these amatures need that crutch.

So... because you did something idiotic we're always supposed to wear a helmet? Makes perfect sense to me. :rolleyes:

Everyone makes mistakes, everyone makes miscalculations. Smart people learn from them.

So you decide to do something silly and as a result break your shoulder blade. Yet your solution, rather than to avoid doing the thing which caused you injury, is to don a piece of protective gear that wouldn't have helped at all.

And you're the smart one?

So you decide to do something silly and as a result break your shoulder blade. Yet your solution, rather than to avoid doing the thing which caused you injury, is to don a piece of protective gear that wouldn't have helped at all.

And you're the smart one?

Hey, I'm just giving you an anecdote of something admittedly dumb that I did a long time ago. My point was that anyone can do something stupid and it's best to be prepared. That could be you, that could be a car, that could be another cyclist - it could be anyone. Nobody plans to crash - it just happens. You don't start out your ride thinking, "I'm not going to crash today" and then not crash because that's what your plan was from the get-go.

Learning from mistakes is a fundamental part of learning, but if you'd rather ridicule me go ahead.

Here is a little comedy relief from a heated discussion but dont worry it is helmet related!

http://www.killsometime.com/video/video.asp?ID=1265

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation
Changing your behavior based on perceived risk. <shakes head> You wear your helmet on the scary main road, but don't bother with it in town on the "slow" bike. Sounds rather silly in my (never-so) humble opinion.

I don't throw a leg over a frame unless I've got mine on. Post repair test rides included.


I heard of this as 'risk homeostasis' applied to skydiving, it was suggested to explain the fact that with some serious advances in safety (RSL, AAD, and better gear), the number of deaths per X jumps remained the same, but the manner of death was changing i.e. skydivers were/are getting themselves killed even after getting a good canopy deployed. Its a theory I personally believe, tho its disputed by some. That said I always wear a helmet as it gives me the confidence to bomb down the switchbacks with reckless abandon here at the CO Monument. I wear it always because its gotten to be a bit of a habit.

I finally voted 'occasion dependent'. When I test-rode my new bike, I didn't. When I went around the parking lot this morning, I didn't. But when I went down to the university and back, I did. I've put it on my saddle now, so I'll always remember to take it with me. Especially since my family's gone now, wouldn't be good to take the needless risk.

Learning from mistakes is a fundamental part of learning, but if you'd rather ridicule me go ahead.

As if I needed permission! :lol:

Nobody plans to crash - it just happens. You don't start out your ride thinking, "I'm not going to crash today" and then not crash because that's what your plan was from the get-go.

I don't know about that... just as an example:

I've never, EVER crashed or even come close when carrying groceries on my bike (two trips a week, MINIMUM for the last three years)

Considering that the vast majority of crashes are preventable (even two-vehicle crashes can usually be avoided by EITHER of the vehicle operators if they're paying attention and practising defensive driving) it's not really that far-fetched at all.



As for helmets... I have destroyed one helmet... it was in my pannier when I slid out on some ice and landed on that side of my bike... my head never came near the ground. :shrug: Smashed the helmet and broke it into pieces... maybe I should be posting about how my helmet obviously saved my bike from irreparable damage! ;)

Then all men, six feet and taller, should wear protective helmets on their heads at ALL TIMES when walking or standing.

I think the missing piece is that it's more difficult to balance on a bicycle than on your own two feet, so there's a greater chance of falling and needing the helmet.

Depends. There are people who essentially never fall off of their bicycles. Even assuming that a bicycle helmet would be effective in a fall -- and that's a big assumption -- the helmet is so unlikely to ever be needed for this fellow that, realistically, the increase is "safety" is too small to be calculated.

Now, there are plenty of folks that fall off of their bicycles on a regular basis, for whatever reason. Perhaps for them wearing a helmet makes a lot of sense. But arguing that the guy who never falls should wear a helmet because some other guy falls all the time is a bit silly: "I'm cold so everybody put on a sweater!"