View Poll Results: Helmet wearing habits?
I've never worn a bike helmet



178
10.66%
I used to wear a helmet, but have stopped



94
5.63%
I've always worn a helmet



648
38.80%
I didn't wear a helmet, but now do



408
24.43%
I sometimes wear a helmet depending on the conditions



342
20.48%
Voters: 1670. You may not vote on this poll
The helmet thread
#1051
Right back atcha big guy.
Keep focusing your concerns and diverting attention away from the largest groups of victims. That helps a lot.
https://www.projectlearnet.org/about_the_brain.html
Falls continue to be the leading cause of TBI (35.2%)
Among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents were the second leading cause of TBI (17.3%) and resulted in the largest percentage of TBI-related deaths (31.8%)
Assaults produced 10% of TBIs in the general population
Keep focusing your concerns and diverting attention away from the largest groups of victims. That helps a lot.

https://www.projectlearnet.org/about_the_brain.html
Falls continue to be the leading cause of TBI (35.2%)
Among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents were the second leading cause of TBI (17.3%) and resulted in the largest percentage of TBI-related deaths (31.8%)
Assaults produced 10% of TBIs in the general population
Last edited by CbadRider; 01-11-12 at 08:03 PM. Reason: Edited quoted post
#1052
Right back atcha.
Keep focusing your concerns away from the largest groups of victims
https://www.projectlearnet.org/about_the_brain.html
Falls continue to be the leading cause of TBI (35.2%)
Among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents were the second leading cause of TBI (17.3%) and resulted in the largest percentage of TBI-related deaths (31.8%)
Assaults produced 10% of TBIs in the general population
Keep focusing your concerns away from the largest groups of victims
https://www.projectlearnet.org/about_the_brain.html
Falls continue to be the leading cause of TBI (35.2%)
Among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents were the second leading cause of TBI (17.3%) and resulted in the largest percentage of TBI-related deaths (31.8%)
Assaults produced 10% of TBIs in the general population
#1053
And don't be too upset at the suggestion to keep on wearing that hat - it's just a bit of advice that may save your ass someday
#1054
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
Likes: 19
Three thousand people died in car accidents today. All real people in the real world. Frankly, I'm shocked at how little you care about them.
#1055
I am done for now with this thread, i'll probably have to come back later with another reminder that cyclists aren't made safer by closetbiker and sixjours mocking and statistics. People still die from and suffer unnecessary head injuries on a bicycle because they didn't have a helmet on...
Please wear your helmet while riding, it is nice to debate with amateurs on the internet about the it, but in the real world i hope you listen to your loved ones and the educated experts.
#1056
Banned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 1,066
From: Lincoln Ne
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
six
Your facts about car deaths are about as factual as most of the anti helmet posts. According to you there would be 1,095,000 auto deaths a year. The real number is near 40,000.
Your facts about car deaths are about as factual as most of the anti helmet posts. According to you there would be 1,095,000 auto deaths a year. The real number is near 40,000.
#1057
Thankfully I didn't know any of them.
I am done for now with this thread, i'll probably have to come back later with another reminder that cyclists aren't made safer by closetbiker and sixjours mocking and statistics. People still die from and suffer unnecessary head injuries on a bicycle because they didn't have a helmet on...
Please wear your helmet while riding, it is nice to debate with amateurs on the internet about the it, but in the real world i hope you listen to your loved ones and the educated experts.
I am done for now with this thread, i'll probably have to come back later with another reminder that cyclists aren't made safer by closetbiker and sixjours mocking and statistics. People still die from and suffer unnecessary head injuries on a bicycle because they didn't have a helmet on...
Please wear your helmet while riding, it is nice to debate with amateurs on the internet about the it, but in the real world i hope you listen to your loved ones and the educated experts.
https://goeshealth.com/world-health/p...xpectancy.html
https://healthcaremag.blogspot.com/20...f-cycling.html
https://planetsave.com/2010/11/10/cyclists-live-longer/
To infer otherwise is to work against cyclings inherent benefits.
Bicycles save more lives than helmets ever can.
Last edited by closetbiker; 01-11-12 at 07:19 PM.
#1058
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,929
Likes: 1
From: On the bridge with Picard
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
I had to do some clean up of the name-calling. Even though this is A&S, posts still need to follow the forum guidelines. Time to take a breath and cool off for a bit.
CbadRider
Forum Moderator
CbadRider
Forum Moderator
#1059
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
Likes: 19
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ted_death_rate
#1060
(btw, this really isn't the thread for that anyway. There's already a memorial thread. Using people's deaths as an attempt to forward your agenda is pretty sick, especially since it's baseless and proves nothing except for the fact that people die on bicycles. If someone dies while wearing khakis, it doesn't mean jeans would have saved his life.)
#1061
Just like Electrik can't support a claim that a helmet would have saved this guy in this particular situation, the helmet haterz can't support a claim that a helmet wouldn't have helped.
Everyone, however, is free to generalize...
Everyone, however, is free to generalize...
#1062
You know this guy? I'm sorry to hear that an acquaintance/friend of yours was injured like that.
Guy in the article died?
So sorry to hear it...
So sorry to hear it...
#1063
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
Along with global-warming, this topic surely illustrates the failure of technical, cartesian education in the west.
#1064
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
The W.H.O. puts the figure of road deaths for the planet at circa 1.3 million per annum. Not far from what Six Jours suggested to you.
Further, as your opinions are obviously in line with the anti-freedom U.N. I suggest you consult pg.8 of the link above for a vision of the future of children's walking.
#1065
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 0
From: Boston Area
Bikes: Univega Gran Turismo, Guerciotti, Bridgestone MB2, Bike Friday New World Tourist, Serotta Ti
Your ability to be wrong on any topic of your choosing continues to amaze.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ted_death_rate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ted_death_rate
Speedo
#1066
Gone.
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Sports-related head injury by activity:
Cycling: 64,993
Football: 36,412
Baseball and Softball: 25,079
Basketball: 24,701
Powered Recreational Vehicles (ATVs, Dune Buggies, Go-Carts, Mini bikes, Off-road): 24,090
Skateboards/Scooters (Powered): 18,542
Soccer: 17,108
Skateboards/Scooters: 16,477
Winter Sports (Skiing, Sledding, Snowboarding, Snowmobiling): 16,120
Water Sports (Diving, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Swimming, Water Polo, Water Skiing): 12,096
Horseback Riding: 11,759
Health Club (Exercise, Weightlifting): 11,550
Golf: 8,417
Trampolines: 7,075
Hockey: 5,483
Gymnastics/Dance/Cheerleading: 5,459
Ice Skating: 3,703
Fishing: 3,560
Rugby/Lacrosse: 3,281
Wrestling: 2,640
The top 10 head injury categories among children ages 14 and younger:
Cycling: 32,899
Football: 17,441
Baseball and Softball: 13,508
Skateboards/Scooters (Powered): 11,848
Basketball: 10,844
Skateboards/Scooters: 10,256
Winter Sports: 7,546
Powered Recreational Vehicles: 7,460
Water Sports: 6,498
Trampolines: 6,360
Source: brainandspinalcord.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Bicyclist deaths by helmet use, 1998-2008 (US)
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyclist Fatality Data from New York City, 1996-2005:
Injury Type
Known injury type: 177 86%
Unknown injury type: 30 14%
Of cyclists with known injury type:
Head only: 86 49%
Head & all others: 45 25%
All others: 46 26%
Helmet Use
Helmet use known 122 59%
Helmet use not known 85 41%
Of those with helmet use known:
Wearing Helmet: 4 3%
Not Wearing Helmet: 118 97%
Source: New York City Department of Health
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A new study following the introduction of mandatory helmet laws in Australia found a significant reduction in injury rates. ("Last year, a Sydney University study found the laws had failed and should be repealed because compulsory helmet wearing could be a disincentive to cycling. The academic paper was later retracted due to serious data and arithmetic errors.")
Source: Walker, et al., Accident Analysis & Prevention,, 20 June 2011
Cycling: 64,993
Football: 36,412
Baseball and Softball: 25,079
Basketball: 24,701
Powered Recreational Vehicles (ATVs, Dune Buggies, Go-Carts, Mini bikes, Off-road): 24,090
Skateboards/Scooters (Powered): 18,542
Soccer: 17,108
Skateboards/Scooters: 16,477
Winter Sports (Skiing, Sledding, Snowboarding, Snowmobiling): 16,120
Water Sports (Diving, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Swimming, Water Polo, Water Skiing): 12,096
Horseback Riding: 11,759
Health Club (Exercise, Weightlifting): 11,550
Golf: 8,417
Trampolines: 7,075
Hockey: 5,483
Gymnastics/Dance/Cheerleading: 5,459
Ice Skating: 3,703
Fishing: 3,560
Rugby/Lacrosse: 3,281
Wrestling: 2,640
The top 10 head injury categories among children ages 14 and younger:
Cycling: 32,899
Football: 17,441
Baseball and Softball: 13,508
Skateboards/Scooters (Powered): 11,848
Basketball: 10,844
Skateboards/Scooters: 10,256
Winter Sports: 7,546
Powered Recreational Vehicles: 7,460
Water Sports: 6,498
Trampolines: 6,360
Source: brainandspinalcord.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Bicyclist deaths by helmet use, 1998-2008 (US)
Code:
Year No helmet use Helmet use Total
Num % Num % Num
1998 741 98 16 2 757
1999 698 93 42 6 750
2000 622 90 50 7 689
2001 616 84 60 8 729
2002 589 89 54 8 663
2003 535 85 58 9 626
2004 602 83 87 12 722
2005 676 86 77 10 784
2006 730 95 37 5 769
2007 646 92 50 7 699
2008 653 91 58 8 714
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyclist Fatality Data from New York City, 1996-2005:
Injury Type
Known injury type: 177 86%
Unknown injury type: 30 14%
Of cyclists with known injury type:
Head only: 86 49%
Head & all others: 45 25%
All others: 46 26%
Helmet Use
Helmet use known 122 59%
Helmet use not known 85 41%
Of those with helmet use known:
Wearing Helmet: 4 3%
Not Wearing Helmet: 118 97%
Source: New York City Department of Health
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A new study following the introduction of mandatory helmet laws in Australia found a significant reduction in injury rates. ("Last year, a Sydney University study found the laws had failed and should be repealed because compulsory helmet wearing could be a disincentive to cycling. The academic paper was later retracted due to serious data and arithmetic errors.")
Source: Walker, et al., Accident Analysis & Prevention,, 20 June 2011
#1067
None of that means squat without some idea of what the exposure rates are.
One of the claims made by BC helmet law proponents was that cycling was dangerous, much more dangerous than riding a motor cycle.
They based this claim on a single study that did not consider the exposure rates of bicycling and motorcycling.
The McDermott and Klug 1982 study, "Difference in head injuries of pedal cyclist and motorcyclist casualties*in Victoria" reported*73 skull fractures for pedal cyclists compared with 31 for motorcyclists.
While a conclusion that pedal cyclists did have more skull fractures than motorcyclists is correct, it is extremely misleading as McDermott and King did not consider the very relevant information of exposure rates for pedal cyclists and motor cyclists were widely different during the study.
When exposure time is considered, the injuries reported are much more in line with other studies that show motor cycling as being the far more dangerous activity. The figures show with relating time of travel to skull fractures, motorcyclists incur nearly three times that of bicyclists, a factor of 278% and have a fatality rate 16.3 higher than bicyclists and the overall injury rate for motorcyclists was 16.1 times higher.
Those figures you've supplied also don't take into account the severity of the injuries. I don't think too many will dispute a helmet can reduce minor injuries and the large majority of injuries suffered by cyclists are minor.
As for the death rates for cyclists without helmets, you should consider the death rates in areas that have mandated helmet use. Entire populations of Ausrailia and New Zealand switched over to helmet use to reduce deaths, yet cyclists continue to experience the same death rate despite the use of helmets
One of the claims made by BC helmet law proponents was that cycling was dangerous, much more dangerous than riding a motor cycle.
They based this claim on a single study that did not consider the exposure rates of bicycling and motorcycling.
The McDermott and Klug 1982 study, "Difference in head injuries of pedal cyclist and motorcyclist casualties*in Victoria" reported*73 skull fractures for pedal cyclists compared with 31 for motorcyclists.
While a conclusion that pedal cyclists did have more skull fractures than motorcyclists is correct, it is extremely misleading as McDermott and King did not consider the very relevant information of exposure rates for pedal cyclists and motor cyclists were widely different during the study.
When exposure time is considered, the injuries reported are much more in line with other studies that show motor cycling as being the far more dangerous activity. The figures show with relating time of travel to skull fractures, motorcyclists incur nearly three times that of bicyclists, a factor of 278% and have a fatality rate 16.3 higher than bicyclists and the overall injury rate for motorcyclists was 16.1 times higher.
Those figures you've supplied also don't take into account the severity of the injuries. I don't think too many will dispute a helmet can reduce minor injuries and the large majority of injuries suffered by cyclists are minor.
As for the death rates for cyclists without helmets, you should consider the death rates in areas that have mandated helmet use. Entire populations of Ausrailia and New Zealand switched over to helmet use to reduce deaths, yet cyclists continue to experience the same death rate despite the use of helmets
Last edited by closetbiker; 01-12-12 at 09:28 PM.
#1068
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
Likes: 19
It turns out that the "skydiving without parachute" fatality rate is extremely low. Some people might claim that almost no people skydive without parachutes, but that's just obfuscation.
It's also worth noting that in the few fatalities linked with this very safe sport, all of them were wearing helmets at the time. So the obvious conclusion is that skydiving without a parachute is a very safe activity, at least when compared with the things Corvuscorvax lists, but that wearing a helmet makes it fatal in every instance.
Not that I'd try to play games with statistics, of course!
It's also worth noting that in the few fatalities linked with this very safe sport, all of them were wearing helmets at the time. So the obvious conclusion is that skydiving without a parachute is a very safe activity, at least when compared with the things Corvuscorvax lists, but that wearing a helmet makes it fatal in every instance.
Not that I'd try to play games with statistics, of course!
#1069
Wait. I don't get it. Regardless of exposure, it seems like NYCDoH and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety stats above indicate that the majority of deaths happend with riders riding without a helmet? Did the helmet help? Did non-use contribute to deaths? I'm certainly not going claim such, but the stats are pretty damning. Unless, in general, those riding without helmets are just less safe riders? Did the pro-helmet Illuminati get to those who compile such stats...?
Help me out, because I'm having a hard time figuring any scenario where those stats don't mean what the pro-helmeteers want it to...
Help me out, because I'm having a hard time figuring any scenario where those stats don't mean what the pro-helmeteers want it to...
Last edited by mconlonx; 01-14-12 at 06:10 AM.
#1070
Those figures you've supplied also don't take into account the severity of the injuries. I don't think too many will dispute a helmet can reduce minor injuries and the large majority of injuries suffered by cyclists are minor.
As for the death rates for cyclists without helmets, you should consider the death rates in areas that have mandated helmet use. Entire populations of Ausrailia and New Zealand switched over to helmet use to reduce deaths, yet cyclists continue to experience the same death rate despite the use of helmets
As for the death rates for cyclists without helmets, you should consider the death rates in areas that have mandated helmet use. Entire populations of Ausrailia and New Zealand switched over to helmet use to reduce deaths, yet cyclists continue to experience the same death rate despite the use of helmets
When considering death rates, the rates from NYC actually may be more pertinent for some riders: like those in places without mandatory helmet laws and outside of Australia.
#1071
Banned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 1,066
From: Lincoln Ne
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
mcon
Ah but you dont understand. The anti helmet crowd dont like hard facts that disprove their point. They are mainly trolls that come here to argue with anyone that doesnt think like they do.
They keep blathering about wearing a helmet when walking skating or gardening. That is totally irevelant to this forum. This is a cycling forum, and comments should be restricted to helmets and cycling.
Ah but you dont understand. The anti helmet crowd dont like hard facts that disprove their point. They are mainly trolls that come here to argue with anyone that doesnt think like they do.
They keep blathering about wearing a helmet when walking skating or gardening. That is totally irevelant to this forum. This is a cycling forum, and comments should be restricted to helmets and cycling.
#1072
The space coyote lied.



Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,818
Likes: 11,020
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
Most cycling isn't really that dangerous when conducted by a skilled individual. I won't race or ride on ice without a helmet but I'll ride down the road at 12 mph sans helmet. Some folks wouldn't ride down the road at 12 mph without a helmet. And that's all good, IMO. Everyone's chosen the level of protection they feel they need.
Now, when I ride about a mile south of here I enter the city limits of a city that has a law mandating helmet use for cyclists OF ALL AGES. If I were to skateboard into that city without a helmet I would not be breaking a law. Now, although I've been skateboarding for 35 years and cycling for 37 years I feel that skating through town has a slightly higher chance of head impact upon crashing so the law seems backwards to me. Now I'm not saying there should be a law for helmets on skaters, I'm saying there should be no law for helmets on cyclists.
People that tell strangers what they think about their protection levels are just plain busy bodies and should mind their own business.
#1074
"Cycling, Safety and Sharing the Road: Qualitative Research with Cyclists and Other Road Users"
Way down on page 67, within the section on helmets, was the opinion of the researchers that said,
The evidence from our workshops suggest that wearing a helmet is less about calculating risk, and more about having a way of feeling safer in situations that feel risky – whether or not those situations actually correspond to ones in which a cycle helmet would afford much benefit. Helmets, as one participant put it, offer you ‘peace of mind’:
safety is, in fact, relatively unimportant in the way helmets are conceptualised, even by many of those who wear them: for while it is true that a helmet gives them peace of mind in situations that are perceived to be dangerous, it is probably not true that many of them have given very much thought to the nature of the safety afforded.
(Another keystone is my personal risk assessment)
Last edited by closetbiker; 01-13-12 at 07:38 PM.



