Oh the time and brain power that has been wasted on this thread. Let's try a new subject, OK? The meaning of life, the existence of god, tastes great vs. less filling... anything.

Where are all my biker atheist friends??? Can we start a club? :p

Helmet zealotry does seem similar to religion. Both rely on faith, rather than reason. Faith is fine for a religion -- heck, that's it's purpose. But faith as a foundation for health policy is a really, really bad idea.

Plenty of bucks and egos involved too.

You expect something else in the USA...?

Said it before a long time ago -- this thread has totally devolved into politics. Your description fits...

Again after 142 pages why do the members of the anti helmet cult CARE if I wear a helmet?

??? Bizarre.

Why do you care why they care?

If it helps you any to sleep at night better, I don't care about your head, it's not my head.

John, do we know that the helmeted and non-helmeted children are equally likely to be treated by the Trauma System after a bicycle fall? I think it's plausible that those without helmets tended to have more profuse bleeding, and I'd expect that to make a difference.

In other words, the incidence of head trauma among helmeted children might be under-reported relative to their helmetless counterparts.

Probably Eggos...but you knew that.

I know, and have known, a few people who have actually been able to change their minds about things that were rather emotionally charged. One was a scientist. An other an army officer. And me, too, a graphic artist. I think that what it takes is to have some sort of in-grown respect for facts. It's not really about intelligence. It's more of a mind-set, kinda, sorta.

FWIW, this thread and the ones before it have changed my mind. I was much more likely to buy into the uninformed, knee-jerk helmeteer drivel before being exposed to reasoned arguments by the bare-head brigade and the various resources provided.

I still wear a helmet, but for the right reasons, not the wrong ones. And, if asked, I'll provide as balanced a view as I can regarding helmets when selling them in the shop.

Bravo! That must take quite a bit of courage :)

REASON is a *****, hired for your purpose and discarded.

Thanks! :thumb:

But not really -- no courage involved at all since this is something I've said whenever appropriate in the past. Only difference here is that I usually get negative responses to a post like this. Where did all the haterz go...?

Regarding this thread and the others like it, what I really have issues with is internal consistency and the various hypocrisies on display. As much as the bare-head brigade wants to get down on the helmeteers for citing studies out of context and misrepresenting scientific examination, leaning on preferential studies of dubious scientific value to support their claims, the most vociferous bare-head brigadiers resort to exactly the same tactics. And feign resentment when called out on the same grounds upon which they are happy to dismiss helmeteer claims as baseless.

Good write-up in the NY Times today. Glad to see this discussion getting a mainstream audience.

To Encourage Biking, Cities Lose the Helmets
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/su...t-helmets.html

......

The anti helmet cult can blather, post, and poke holes in the air till the cows come home. In a true life adventure when I was hit and knocked over, my helmet saved me from road rash on my head. No it was not a life and death situation, but it did save me from unwanted pain. So go right ahead guys post your endless meaningless quotes and "studies" they are a waste of time and meaningless to me and many others that have had helmets protect them.

From 20 to 22kph...?

I like this too. to quote a section: Here in Costa Rica, unless you are a racer, you generally never wear a helmet. I would say, if your intention is to go as fast as you can, you should wear a helmet, perhaps bubble wrap too, but for those out there just enjoying life, commuting, putting along, why scare them to death - maybe literally. I remember as a child going everywhere on my bike, without a helmet. No fear of abduction, no fear of dying. Sure, I was reasonably careful, but I enjoyed life. Now it seems kids stay inside, afraid to go outside because they might be snatched, or stung by a bee, or fall off their bike and die.

I don't care if someone wears a helmet, or bubble wrap even. Put shin guards on, mouth guard, whatever you want. Just don't try to convince people they are "organ donors" because they aren't so afraid. :notamused:

Thoughts on helmets decreasing ridership of bikesharing program
 

The NY Times recently published a comparison on helmet effects between european and american riders. It also talked about how mandatory helmet laws decreased the ridership of bike sharing programs. Here is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/su...l?pagewanted=1

Is a good read. Share your thoughts.

You and I, as well as others, have all been there, problem is the anti helmet people will scream that you can't prove that your head would have not survived if it weren't for the helmet. Yeah, I know, a stupid way to think about things but people believe in Big Foot too.

I believe most of us have said that road rash and other minor injuries helmets help with, so I'm not sure who these imaginary straw anti-helmet people are you speak of.

Agreed with the article. Helmet use should not be mandatory, but encouraged for regular riders. The ride share programs are not used by regular riders, but are more for tourists and business travelers. These people are not likely to be carrying a helmet with them. The writer's example of $2/day in Paris would mean over $700/year: more than enough to buy a bike of your own.