Originally Posted by closetbiker
from BHSI,
Helmets, including all bicycle helmets on the market, are not designed to prevent concussions.
as for the broken helmets, they work by crushing, not by breaking apart.
They're designed to absorb and disperse impact forces. Mine clearly did on two occasions that involved significant speed and impact force.
And when I said that I "broke" my helmets, it was in the sense of "rendered unusable". They did not "break into pieces". As designed, the inner styrofoam elements were cracked and crushed...thus absorbing impact forces that would otherwise have been transmitted into my skull.
Bottom line...helmets involve very little "cost" (unless you have a deep-seated paranoia regarding helmet hair). And they can have substantial benefits - I've avoided significant head injuries twice in the last 20 years thanks to wearing a helmet.
Will they prevent all injuries in all circumstances? No.
But, are they better than going bare? Certainly (duh!).