Illegal to attach to bicycle helmet?
Illegal to attach to bicycle helmet?
I wanted to attach a homemade turn signal indicator to my bicycle helmet but I saw someone in a video (ironically about attaching a homemade signal indicator to your bicycle helmet) say "Never attach anything to the outside of your bicycle helmet." I'm trying to find exactly why they said this. Is there a legal issue involved in this? Does it just void the warranty on the helmet? Is it a known danger? All of the above? I see people who have attached cameras and headlights to helmets, even some specifically designed to be put on helmets. Why would they say that? Thanks. |
AFAIK it's not illegal.
If you believe a bicycle helmet will help you in the event of a crash (which can be debated), there's a possibility that anything on a helmet could hurt you. For instance, my light mount could reduce a light mount shaped dent in my skull; or a wire-mounted mirror might lead to the wire piercing the wearer's head. In either event, you'd have to hit your head just right (or just wrong). I suspect the maker of your video is engaging in amateur CYA lawyering. But I'm not going to tell you to attach anything to the outside of your helmet, either! |
If you do attach it to your helmet, attach it in such a way that it will brake away if it needs to.
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The stuff people find to worry about!
Even if it was illegal to do so (which I strongly doubt), the likelihood that you'd get a ticket for it is basically zero. ===============
Originally Posted by pdlamb
(Post 16399673)
...there's a possibility that anything on a helmet could hurt you...
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Turn indicators on a helmet are not going to be very effective. They're too close together to be clear to drivers and since bikes generally do not have turn signals drivers will not expect to see them; instead, they will think it is just another blinking light.
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Yes, its illegal. You will be arrested and fined. Find something else to worry about.
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Originally Posted by cplager
(Post 16399694)
If you do attach it to your helmet, attach it in such a way that it will brake away if it needs to.
Here is a video I made of the set up: What do you all think? |
Originally Posted by lhendrick
(Post 16399756)
Yes, its illegal. You will be arrested and fined. Find something else to worry about.
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Originally Posted by chillspike
(Post 16399766)
Well, I kind of used zip ties to attach it. Maybe I should use glue? But then I'd have to break off the battery housing to replace the battery.
Here is a video I made of the set up: What do you all think? It looks like no turn signal that any driver has ever seen. That is, it might work to be noticed but it likely work poorly as a turn signal (drivers will have no idea what it means).
Originally Posted by chillspike
(Post 16399775)
Originally Posted by lhendrick
(Post 16399756)
Yes, its illegal. You will be arrested and fined. Find something else to worry about.
|
1 Attachment(s)
If you're not even legally required to wear a helmet, how can it be illegal to attach stuff to it?
Your helmet was only tested as shipped, so it's possible that it would not meet certification if you attach things to it. Doesn't stop anyone though. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=358978 |
Originally Posted by chillspike
(Post 16399766)
Well, I kind of used zip ties to attach it. Maybe I should use glue? But then I'd have to break off the battery housing to replace the battery.
Here is a video I made of the set up: What do you all think? I wouldn't use glue, but get some industrial strength velcro tape. It will hold that, and would be easy to take off when you feel like riding less flamboyantly. |
Originally Posted by RPK79
(Post 16399737)
Turn indicators on a helmet are not going to be very effective. They're too close together to be clear to drivers and since bikes generally do not have turn signals drivers will not expect to see them; instead, they will think it is just another blinking light.
Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 16399869)
That's interesting.
It looks like no turn signal that any driver has ever seen. That is, it might work to be noticed but it likely work poorly as a turn signal (drivers will have no idea what it means).
Originally Posted by wphamilton
(Post 16399924)
I think it looks sharp, very Tron like. Turn signal, I don't know. Drivers might not be able to see it from behind and at certain angles, or might not see it as a turn signal. And if you're moving your head around, seems possibly problematic. But try it out, and to be sure, ask random drivers if they understood it. Politely that is.
I wouldn't use glue, but get some industrial strength velcro tape. It will hold that, and would be easy to take off when you feel like riding less flamboyantly. |
Originally Posted by wphamilton
(Post 16399924)
I think it looks sharp, very Tron like. Turn signal, I don't know. Drivers might not be able to see it from behind and at certain angles, or might not see it as a turn signal. And if you're moving your head around, seems possibly problematic. But try it out, and to be sure, ask random drivers if they understood it. Politely that is.
I wouldn't use glue, but get some industrial strength velcro tape. It will hold that, and would be easy to take off when you feel like riding less flamboyantly. |
Originally Posted by RPK79
(Post 16399935)
Seems to be a recurring theme.
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Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 16399891)
If you're not even legally required to wear a helmet, how can it be illegal to attach stuff to it?
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Originally Posted by wphamilton
(Post 16399969)
We might be wrong though. Or if we're not wrong, maybe he just needs to extend the lights out further on the helmet. The only way to know is to try it.
Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 16399970)
???? You aren't legally required to drive a car either but your car all sorts of legal requirements and restrictions.
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Originally Posted by RPK79
(Post 16399986)
Apples and oranges.
Originally Posted by RPK79
(Post 16399986)
Since there is no legal requirement to wear the helmet there are no regulations on the consumer regarding alterations to the helmet.
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 16399993)
This is wrong. There's no barrier to creating a law restricting the modification of a helmet.
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Originally Posted by RPK79
(Post 16399997)
Then cite me the law.
Cite the law that restrictions on modifcations on a thing is only allowed for things that are required to be used! Helmets being optional has nothing to do with whether there could be a law restricting how they are used. There are all sorts of examples where something is optional but, once you do/use that optional thing, there are restrictions on that use. |
Originally Posted by chillspike
(Post 16399775)
Wait...It is illegal???
If this works for you, maybe you can combine it with elbow band turn signals (I've been tempted myself). I'd activate it with a mercury switch, swing the elbow up the blinker turns on. |
Well, I like the idea, I'd just prefer it would attach to my "outstretched" arm, so my signaling intent would be more visible!
R |
If you attach stuff to it, it may not be a certified safe helmet any more.
But so what? Then it's just a hat. There's nothing that says you have to wear a helmet and can't wear a hat. You can't SELL something in the US that claims to be a bicycle helmet unless it meets CPSC standards, but you can wear whatever the hell you want as long as you're not violating vehicular code (like having a flashing blue light on your helmet or something). |
I read this recently, not a bicycle but a motorbike.
http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-news...220-2zoyo.html |
Originally Posted by sk0tt
(Post 16400636)
I read this recently, not a bicycle but a motorbike.
http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-news...220-2zoyo.html |
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