Few people, regardless of IQ have ever bothered to look into the research to figure it out. Some have stupidly just looked at meaningless raw data or correlation to declare that they know what they are talking about.

People with higher IQs generally have higher incomes and even though they do not look at the research, they will use that extra money that lower IQ/income people will not spend just to FEEL safer.

You would think that you would use some of your IQ to figure it out. But with your prior post, there is little hope of that.

I don't know about higher IQs, but the "protecting the boys" thread finally convinced me to take my helmet off today. There's such a thing as too much of an obsession with safety. If it gets to the point where I have to wear body armor to ride my bike, I'd rather hang it up and walk, or drive, or take the bus. So, for the first time in about 20 years, I rode without a helmet - and did it in pretty heavy traffic. In case anyone was wondering, the world didn't end.

tony

Well you got away with it once anyway!!

Yeah, I know - it doesn't really prove anything, one way or the other. I rode for 35 years without a helmet. Then I rode for the next 20 years with a helmet. In all of that time, I've never had an incident where the helmet helped or would have helped, (though I have crashed quite a few times, and had one nasty accident involving a motor vehicle). But that doesn't mean it won't happen this afternoon.

It's just that the image of riding with helmet, a cup, maybe knee and elbow protectors, etc, trying to make so sure that I can't possibly get hurt that I can't even experience the joy and freedom of riding anymore, made me start thinking that either I should suck it up and accept the risk of possibly hurting myself on the bicycle, or hanging the damn thing up and doing something else instead of riding. I could see it getting to the point where it just isn't fun anymore.

I'm going out to take a ride now. I wonder if I'll wear the helmet or not...

An opinion I found well worth reading has this quote:

I am not happy with an America, or any country, in which simple, basic, and healthy activities like walking and cycling are perceived as dangerous, aberrant, and in need of tight regulation, protective gear, and police surveillance.

another video I found worth the 16 minutes needed to watch hits on the same issue, the culture of fear and how it interferes with, "The Good Life:

Happy new years!

Hope everybody is staying safe, keeping those helmets properly fastened and their wits about them while out on the roads.

Please remember, it's fun to "debate" something on the internet with a bunch of amateurs, but it is a bad move to ignore advice from your loved ones and experts. These amateur anti-helmet people won't care and aren't professionally responsible for you if something happens. They don't subject their own crock-pot theories to half the criticism leveled at people who advocate wearing helmets.

Good luck in 2012 and use your brains to stay safe and prevent injury not to break your fall.

:lol:

Happy New Year! :D

When I wear one, sure! :p

While your next sentence kind of trumps this one in terms of purpose, I actually agree with this. You shouldn't take my word or anyone else's on here as truth. Go out and do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

Also I would never recommend someone ignore the feelings of their loved ones. I explained to my wife why I chose not to wear a helmet and, being the sharp cookie she is, she saw the evidence and has no problem with it (Plus, she's European and not subject to the culture of fear we have here in the first place). If it really, really bothered her, I'd probably sport it anyway just for her peace of mind. Like the decision to wear or not wear one in the first place, it's a personal decision with personal reasons behind it; there's no right or wrong decision (except for a decision made in ignorance, IMO).

This whole thread has been people caring and debating their "crock-pot theories", be they pro or not. There's actually a lot of really good information here, snide comments aside.

And to make smart decisions! :thumb:

While helmet skeptics often cite a variety of reasons for their skepticism, helmet advocates usually rely on anecdotes and a few scientific studies for their faith in foam.

Just one of the reasons helmet skeptics are skeptical is that some of these scientific studies cited by helmet advocates are of poor quality and designed with a pre-ordained result.

Yesterday, one of Canada's national newspapers ran an article on this type of "junk science". It's for the reasons within it that some people become skeptical of certain "studies"

How one man got away with mass fraud by saying ‘trust me, it’s science’

I certainly agree with you that most of the pro-helmet research I've seen is very poor. There are exceptions, like the large Swedish one I quoted a few hundred pages back ;) - as far as I can judge, that is, and I'm neither a scientist nor a statistician.

And then, of course, there's this one: http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/...l.pmed.0020124, quoted by someone else, also a few hundred pages back :P

Speaking of fear that the anti helmet crowd is always talking about, why do they fear a helmet???

Oh now that is just silly. No one has said they fear a helmet- it's not like it's going to eat your head like the headcrabs from half-life. We just don't wear them because there's no need.

(Awaits headcrab styled helmet) http://files.sharenator.com/headcrab...-29800-580.jpg

I wonder if members of the anti helmet crowd was psychoanalyzed, what would the doctor say about them.

Never contributed to these threads before, but why the hell not?

If I'm commuting or on a road ride, I wear a helmet. If I'm in "pedestrian mode" either on campus or generally off the street I won't bother. If I'm riding offroad in the context of trail riding, I will be wearing a helmet.

A helmet is not a burden, nor is it a savior. I don't have any strong predisposition for or against helmets. I believe if you don't want to wear a helmet, then it's your decision. I ride with plenty of folks who don't bother and I don't hassle them. However, I have seen helmets save lives, yet I've never seen a helmetless rider saved by not wearing a helmet. Obviously there are many more factors present when you're talking about an accident serious enough for a helmet to factor in. However, helmets have saved lives.

So for me, my wife, and my unborn daughter, I'll keep wearing a helmet. It may just make THE difference one day. Here's hoping it never has to come to that.

mcon

Your reply is a classic example of the anti-helmet crowd attacking ANYONE that is in favor of using a helmet. It is the classic action of a troll.

I've rarely seen any poster participate so much and understand so little.

Dude. I wear a helmet every time I ride. I love helmets and relish an activity like biking that gives me an excuse to wear one.

Trouble is, you're as bad as any of the worst helmet haterz. And have about as much of a sense of humor.

Walk's post was spot on right up until the portion I quoted.

I'd fully expect to be found insane for many reasons, however one of them is not that I choose not to wear a piece of safety equipment when it isn't required, nor do I irrationally expect it to help in situations beyond its capacity.

Or to paraphrase Browning:
“Ah, but a man's postings should exceed his concepts, or what's a forum for?”

What he says.

Unfortunately the cyclist may have been able to walk away from this one if they'd had a lid on. Pray for the victim. Do us all a favour and wear your lids.

Unfortunately, a pedestrian may have been able to walk away from this one if he had a lid on.

Do us all a favour and wear your lids, when walking :D

Pedestrian suffers serious head injuries in collision

Wise guy - Keep that smirk on your face.

Everytime I come to this thread to post the death or serious injury of a cyclist from head trauma I am reminded that there is no shortage of ignorance in this world.

Good luck Six jours, may you never end up like the victims you mock.