Originally Posted by
skye
Let's first take a look at what other things you are doing to actually prevent winter falls, rather than something you imagine might help after the fall. During the winter, do you:
1. change tires to ones more appropriate for the season?
2. slow your speed to that appropriate for the poorer riding conditions
3. increase your visibility to aid idiot motorists in spotting you during reduced visibility/reduced light conditions
4. Wear appropriate clothing -- in particular, balaclava, ski goggles, etc.
Let's get *those* safety items cleared up first. Then you can more appropriately consider whether a full-face helmet is necessary.
First chefisaac isn't talking about a 'full face helmet'...not unless he was going to wear it backwards. I'm pretty sure that anyone who rides in winter learns quickly to change tires, slow down, increase their visibility and wear appropriate clothing. But all those things aren't any kind of guarantee against falling on some random patch of ice. Tires, even studded ones, aren't infallible. Slowing down won't keep you from falling over on ice patches if you hit them wrong. And increasing your visibility won't protect your head nor will wearing a balaclava. Think of a helmet as the last line of defense after you've done all the other things.
Originally Posted by
digger
+1.
In the bicycle safety courses I teach, the order of safety is:
1) proper riding skills
2) properly working and safe bicycle
3) as a last resort, protective equipment (helmet, gloves, etc).
Proper riding skills: good thing. Bike in good working order: good thing. But neither will
keep you from crashing. I have excellent riding skills (very long term mountain biker) and my bikes are always in top mechanical form but I still crash...on occasion. It happens. Most of the time when you least expect it. My most recent crash occurred on a flat smooth bit of single track that can be ridden at nearly 20 mph. I didn't see a rock, clipped it with my pedal and found myself flying through the air before I augerred into the ground on my knee, my shoulder and then my head. It followed the same pattern as every other crash I've experienced...no warning and then you hit the ground. Sure, I could have
not been riding there and I could have slowed down but then I could have driven my car that day too. I won't say that the helmet saved my life but it didn't hurt anything to wear it and I'd rather have rocks embedded in it then in my skull.
And let's face it, most people's riding skills leave a
lot to be desired...give them a piece of gum and they will probably fall over. The mechanical soundness of most bikes is also less then stellar.