Originally Posted by chipcom
Yeah, social darwinism explains why I have been riding for 40 years or so and I am still alive (knocking on wood). Yeah, I have taken some spills, and hit my head a few times too, it didn't make me run right out and buy a helmet or look down and those who don't wear them. I feel just as safe without as with...perhaps that is the problem with many, they think a helmet is a replacement for safe cycling, as evidenced by all the folks I see running lights, in the door lane, passing on the right, riding the line between lanes in traffic, yacking on cell phones, playing TDF on a crowded MUP, etc. But they are wearing their helmets! My point is that a suit of armor isn't going to protect anyone better than safe cycling...and watching some of the same people who break the law and ride like morons start preaching helmets is just plain arrogant...in addition to funny. Sorry you got hurt, glad you are ok, but save the preaching for church. My best advice to the helmet fanatics (not saying you are one of them) - if you put the same effort into teaching others how to ride safely as you did into moralizing about helmets, the percentage of cycling accidents in relation to other accidents might decrease even further. Those that can teach others, those that can't, preach.
What if i was one of the idiots talking on the cell phone and came out between 2 cars in to your path at last moment when you were on a down hill? I can cross a normal road in about 3 secounds. I could be right in your path nearly instantly. If i happened to be turning left in to the street coming out behind the car all youd need do is hit my front wheel near mid way at the forks and you would go flying over the bars hard.
You can cycle with 100% safty that your in control of but yourr not incontrol of what I might do or what some other cyclist may do.
Now you can ride how ever you want im just useing you to make a point. You said its no replacement to safe cycling and your right its not. If you have a helmet on and ride like a total moron its not gona help much. But if you ride as safe as you can based on your own abilities and have some putz fly out in front of you the helmet can save your skull.