General Cycling Discussion - Motivation to wear a helmet

I'm starting this thread of all the dumba$$es like me who aren't wearing helmets.

No digicam so I can't take a picture of the big fat knot on my head or the blood coming out of it.

Was doing about 15mph, came to a part of the sidewalk where the sidewalk had buckled up about 1 foot. Took the jump and did a hop up it, got about 2.5 or 3 feet total in the air but didn't land it. Rolled, hit head pretty hard, ended up in a high traffic street but jumped up and out of it pretty quick, at least it felt quick.

Now I have to true up two wheels, front had to have the brake disconnected as I almost taco'd the wheel.

Oh, and, buy a helmet before I try any more stupid crap like that again.

Thank god you're alive... Honestly, if I have to convince someone to wear a helmet, I won't, they're told enough to make decisions for themselves.

More convincing: I watched a 7 year old child fall off a bike, when it wasn't moving, and crack a new helmet!

rykoala,

Glad to hear, it sounds like your OK!

I for one am just tired of the Helmet discussions. Convince Me Why I Should, why I don't, why I do, yadda yadda yadda yadda.

To me helmets are like religion, you practice yours, I'll practice mine, and I won't inflict mine on you, and I expect the same in return.

Glad also however to hear, you may be converting to my religion! LOLOL..... I remember back in the days when they were styrofoam held together with who knows what. Wore one then, wear one now, and won't let my kids ride without one. I know for a fact mine saved me from who knows what looking at the helmet afterward, and knowing that could have been my skull reaffirmed my position!

My problem is my kids have become zealots, and comment when they see folks riding without a helmet, I am trying to teach them it is a persons prerogative if they are an adult, and their parents choice not to require it, if that is the case.

I've broken enough helmets that I won't ride without one. Period. Not around the block, not to the store, nowhere. Death and brain damage aren't things I have any intention of volutarily increasing my risk for any time soon.

More convincing: I watched a 7 year old child fall off a bike, when it wasn't moving, and crack a new helmet!

lord knows i dont know about the stresses of a bicycle helmet... and maybe cracking is the best way to distribute and dissipate the impact... but an average monkey like me wonders how weak and cheap these things are made to have cracked during such an impact... maybe they made it that way so you have to buy new helmets? or am i too delusional

Everyone should.

The outside shell is light and mainly for looks and allow the helmet to slide on the impact surface, the styro foam is the main protective agent, so yes the outside cracks easily, if it were thicker it would weigh more and less people would wear them.

lord knows i dont know about the stresses of a bicycle helmet... and maybe cracking is the best way to distribute and dissipate the impact... but an average monkey like me wonders how weak and cheap these things are made to have cracked during such an impact... maybe they made it that way so you have to buy new helmets? or am i too delusional

Yes they are designed to crack, crush and break apart to dissipate impacts. Just as all cars have crush zones to dissipate crash energy, think of your helmet that way.

You should always buy a new helmet if you land on your head-even if it doesn't look like the helmet sustained any damage.

redfoolj: You need to have a grasp on physics to understand how fast a person falls from a standstill. Bike helmets have to lightweight for efficentcy, unlike motorcycle helmets where the rider does have to do as much physical exertion. All bike helmets are made for one time use. Use means hitting something with it, not wearing it. All helmets sold in the USA must meet the same CPSC standred regardless of price.

Feeling much better today. I fixed my bike so it rides now (had to put two new wheels on, as my front was bent beyond repair and I had a spare for the rear, so no need to re-true the rear.) Did my morning commute and my sore shoulders/neck didn't hurt so bad, and the bump on my head is nearly gone.

Anyhow I hope my post helped somebody decide to get a helmet. As soon as I have $20 I'm going to get one. Just gotta get one that'll fit my big fat head LOL.

Thanks for everyones replies, I enjoyed reading them very much :)