Originally Posted by
non-fixie
Sorry about your head bump, [MENTION=209894]Velognome[/MENTION]! No need to apologize, though, as far as I'm concerned.
I am curious: are the bicycle accident statistics in the US so much worse than in Europe? This thread reads as if you guys are falling down like ripe apples!
I've looked into statistics before and find it quite difficult to rationalize the wearing of a helmet for the kind of riding I do:
I had the same rational thought too until last Wednesday. I think I caught a pedal on my fixed, on corner I've rounded millions of times. I wasn't even pushing, just spinning the pedals and enjoying the day out. I tell you, it scared the crap out of me! To go from suckin in sunshine to laying sprawled out without even knowing what happened! ( I surmise it was a pedal catch, I heard a "click" before I hit the pavement.
Regarding the graph, I suspect Europe does more commuter/bike-way/ sit-up & beg riding while Americans are more on dropbars for exercise. Higher average speed, motorists with less awarness.
Regardless, lesson learned the hard way, School of Hard Knocks!