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The helmet thread

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The helmet thread

Old 10-23-11, 08:25 AM
  #251  
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Originally Posted by Stealthammer
... would you rather have a crushed cranium that causes your death? ...
well, now here's an interesting question because it addresses what a helmet is actually supposed to do, which is absorb or deflect an impact.

The first issue we have to consider is the manner in which an impact can be absorbed by a helmet which is above the "test line", an inch or two above the lowest portion of the helmet. If the impact occurs below this test line, the helmet can't provide the protection it was designed to.

Does the impact occur within this range? Most often they don't.

The next point is, does an impact from a simple fall result in a crushed skull, resulting in death? Well, I'm not going to say it never happens, but I will say it happens to people off a bike just as much, if not more, which is to say, very rarely.

It is collisions with motor vehicle that kills people on bikes and the few times when it doesn't, high speeds (speeds beyond the limits of a helmet) and impacts with fixed objects are involved.

I'm always amazed at how many people stick with a theory rather than look at a reality and adjust their idea.

Australia and New Zealand have had close examinations that show when everybody uses helmets, injuries don't drop. Everybody can have their own thoughts and ideas about what they think would happen if everybody (or anybody) wore helmets but the reality is staring them in the face. Helmets haven't made a difference.

In my province, the legislators proclaimed long and loud about how the evidence (from a small case control study) was overwhelming that wearing bicycle helmets will dramatically reduce serious injury and death. So what happened when everybody did start wearing helmets? Cyclists continued to suffer serious injury and death, only now they were wearing helmets when they did.

Last edited by closetbiker; 10-23-11 at 08:47 AM.
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Old 10-23-11, 08:28 AM
  #252  
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I have to wear a hard hat where I work. That hat will likely never save my life - if someone drops a sledgehammer from a scaffold, and it hits me on the head, I will probably be sleeping in a box in the cool earth in about three days. However, if someone drops a screwdriver or pair of pliers from that two story height, I won't have the headache I would have. Did it save my life? No. Did it stave off a certain inury? Yes.

I recall hitting my head with a "breaker bar" when trying to cut up a large tree and remove the root ball (yes, you read it right, I hit MY own head). The iron bar weighs a good 40 pounds. It was amusing later in the afternoon to observe how far I was able to throw it in pain and frustration after it slipped and crowned me. Hurt like hades! Hurts just to think about it. Had a worn that simple, silly hardhat I have in my shop I might have strained my neck, but I wouldn't have had my eyes crossed by that cussed bar.

I wear a helmet because I don't care for pain. Well, htfu training pain is ok, but not impact pain. I realize a 5000 pound SUV will flat kill me, helmet or no. And a fall at 40+mph will take a lot of hide, and landing square on my head at that speed will likely see me do a permanent lights-out, as well (and high speed descents scare me, as I know that my lycra-clad form will lose in a battle with the pavement or one of our monstrous Oregon drainage ditches). But I wear a helmet whenever I ride. That styrofoam cooler on my head can prevent a serious headache, keep me from leaving a patch of scalp on the road if I lay it down and do the road rash thing, and might possibly save my life. I'm not simple enough to believe that the helmet is the be-all end-all of head protection (and head protection does not mitigate the only risk - a close friend almost lost his son to internal bleeding after a bike wreck, from the handlebar rupturing his spleen).

But whack your head, wearing a helmet, with a hammer handle. Now take the helmet off and repeat. Ouch. So to me the helmet is worth it.

And if I think you are <word I cannot type> for not wearing one, that's my opinion. Whether I think you are logical or not, that's my opinion. It is your head to leave uncovered, mine to cover.

And I am opposed to mandatory helmet and seatbelt laws. You do your thing - it isn't some legislature's job to save you from yourself no matter what the topic. The mandatory laws are usually based on saving the children - a favorite ploy of all lawmakers - and then they "logically" grow from there.
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Old 10-23-11, 08:33 AM
  #253  
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Originally Posted by buzzman

What is the difference between perpendicular and vertical speed when falling off a bike?
you can't say forward momentum isn't a factor unless what you land on is either frictionless, or moving at the same forward speed.

The ground stays still and has friction. The impact will be oblique. The tests helmets go through are not representative of the real life conditions of falls cyclists experience.

Last edited by closetbiker; 10-23-11 at 09:38 AM.
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Old 10-23-11, 08:37 AM
  #254  
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Originally Posted by david58
I have to wear a hard hat where I work. That hat will likely never save my life - if someone drops a sledgehammer from a scaffold, and it hits me on the head, I will probably be sleeping in a box in the cool earth in about three days. However, if someone drops a screwdriver or pair of pliers from that two story height, I won't have the headache I would have. Did it save my life? No. Did it stave off a certain inury? Yes.

I recall hitting my head with a "breaker bar" when trying to cut up a large tree and remove the root ball (yes, you read it right, I hit MY own head). The iron bar weighs a good 40 pounds. It was amusing later in the afternoon to observe how far I was able to throw it in pain and frustration after it slipped and crowned me. Hurt like hades! Hurts just to think about it. Had a worn that simple, silly hardhat I have in my shop I might have strained my neck, but I wouldn't have had my eyes crossed by that cussed bar.

I wear a helmet because I don't care for pain. Well, htfu training pain is ok, but not impact pain. I realize a 5000 pound SUV will flat kill me, helmet or no. And a fall at 40+mph will take a lot of hide, and landing square on my head at that speed will likely see me do a permanent lights-out, as well (and high speed descents scare me, as I know that my lycra-clad form will lose in a battle with the pavement or one of our monstrous Oregon drainage ditches). But I wear a helmet whenever I ride. That styrofoam cooler on my head can prevent a serious headache, keep me from leaving a patch of scalp on the road if I lay it down and do the road rash thing, and might possibly save my life. I'm not simple enough to believe that the helmet is the be-all end-all of head protection (and head protection does not mitigate the only risk - a close friend almost lost his son to internal bleeding after a bike wreck, from the handlebar rupturing his spleen).

But whack your head, wearing a helmet, with a hammer handle. Now take the helmet off and repeat. Ouch. So to me the helmet is worth it.

And if I think you are <word I cannot type> for not wearing one, that's my opinion. Whether I think you are logical or not, that's my opinion. It is your head to leave uncovered, mine to cover.

And I am opposed to mandatory helmet and seatbelt laws. You do your thing - it isn't some legislature's job to save you from yourself no matter what the topic. The mandatory laws are usually based on saving the children - a favorite ploy of all lawmakers - and then they "logically" grow from there.
I also wear a hard hat at work. Why? Because the instance of head injury is high enough to warrant it. The risk of head injury on a bicycle is almost 0, so head protection isn't really warranted. Really, there is no better arguement. We can go back and forth on the protectiveness of helmets in the real world, etc, but the reality is some activities, such as working in industrial zones, riding motorcycles, r playing football have a high enough risk of head injury to warrant wearing protection. Some activities, like walking down the street or riding a bicycle, have almost no head injury rate, so protective gear is not necessary. It really is that simple.
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Old 10-23-11, 08:43 AM
  #255  
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Originally Posted by buzzman
Oh, I hate keeping this stupid thread alive by participating in this mindless, never ending debate but every once in a while I just can't help myself.
I know how you feel

Now my picture proves nothing just as Closetbiker's proves nothing but I offer it as just a balance to the idea that helmeted riders take more risks.
you seem to have missed the point of my picture. It was to show that people make choices, and often when helmets are involved, they make poor choices that lead them into greater danger.

In fact, when one examines all of the evidence (and not just rely on personal experience) it seems the downsides of riding with helmets can (not does) outweigh the benefits of riding a bike. No one knows for sure why, but we do know that the theoretical benefits of using helmets hasn't appeared in real life results.

I was providing a contrasting point to The Chemist's post so he could hopefully understand a differing point of view.

I suggest that others look around at other cyclists and observe certain risky behaviors: no lights, running red lights, riding against traffic, sidewalk riding.
I would suggest to not rely on personal experience alone, because that experience may not be typical of what all cyclists are doing. It could be that what an individual is observing is just an odd group that doesn't reflect reality.

Last edited by closetbiker; 10-23-11 at 10:03 AM.
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Old 10-23-11, 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by closetbiker
A helmet won't provide protection if it's subjected to loads beyond it's limits.

Is that a false statement?
Nope.

Neither is:

A helmet subjected to forces by a motor vehicle at levels for which it was designed to mitigate damage to the wearer, should quite possibly effectively mitigate damage to the wearer as designed.
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Old 10-23-11, 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by mconlonx
... A helmet subjected to forces by a motor vehicle at levels for which it was designed to mitigate damage to the wearer, should quite possibly effectively mitigate damage to the wearer as designed.
so you disagree with the director of one of the worlds largest helmet testing facilities that bicycle helmets are not made for such impacts?

"The tests cycle helmets currently go through mean that they should offer similar protection to a pedestrian who trips and falls to the ground... helmets protect in falls without any involvement with motor vehicles...in todays road traffic accidents, it's not unlikely for a cycle helmet to be subjected to severity loads far greater than it was designed to cope with"
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Old 10-23-11, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by closetbiker
True, but has a perception of protection led this cyclist into danger?
Maybe yes; maybe no. Is this cyclist being a complete jackass in traffic in spite of his perception that a helmet has limited protective design parameters?

Originally Posted by closetbiker
Is this an example that the benefit of protection a helmet can provide is outweighed by poor decisions that result in an increase in injuries?
Maybe yes; maybe no. Is this an example that, in spite of the limited utility of helmets, some people are still dooshbags?
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Old 10-23-11, 10:45 AM
  #259  
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Originally Posted by Hippiebrian
The risk of head injury on a bicycle is almost 0, so head protection isn't really warranted.
What is almost zero?

How does cycling's almost zero compare with an industrial site's almost zero, a pedestrian's almost zero, or even a drunk driver's almost zero?

Does a goose egg count as an almost zero? Stitches? Concussion? Or coma?

Do you measure by miles ridden? Or by trips? Or by type of riding? Maybe age of rider or skill level?

A statistical analysis that has any meaning at all takes a bit of thought to devise. And all too often the "deviser" is devising in order to prove his/her point.

There is a dearth of reliable statistics on this topic - so to say "almost zero" has almost zero basis - we are almost reduced to anecdotal numbers or observations. In my life, I have known two cyclists to suffer head injuries. Certainly not statistics. But I know that I have crashed, my head has banged the ground, and my helmet has arguably prevented a headache. For the inconvenience, it is worth it to me. Apparently it is not worth it to you. But again, it is our decision - we get to make it based on our own opinion, since there really aren't any reliable numbers for us to make a decision.
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Old 10-23-11, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by closetbiker
so you disagree with the director of one of the worlds largest helmet testing facilities that bicycle helmets are not made for such impacts?
I most emphatically do not disagree with said director, but his findings are not at odds with my statement.

Nice try, though.

"In many legal cases I have studied where a cyclist was in collision with a motorised vehicle, the impact energy potentials were of a level that outstripped those that we use to certify Grand Prix motor racing helmets.... Whether they might be used to reduce head injuries inside motor vehicles is a moot point."

Your quote was based on forces in excess of what I specifically delineated. Not arguing in good faith, now, are we...? Tut, tut.

And for all y'all who say, "Well, if you wear a helmet on a bike, you should probably wear one in a car!", looks like the good director would beg to differ with your advice...
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Old 10-23-11, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by david58
I have to wear a hard hat where I work. That hat will likely never save my life - if someone drops a sledgehammer from a scaffold, and it hits me on the head, I will probably be sleeping in a box in the cool earth in about three days. However, if someone drops a screwdriver or pair of pliers from that two story height, I won't have the headache I would have. Did it save my life? No. Did it stave off a certain inury? Yes.

I recall hitting my head with a "breaker bar" when trying to cut up a large tree and remove the root ball (yes, you read it right, I hit MY own head). The iron bar weighs a good 40 pounds. It was amusing later in the afternoon to observe how far I was able to throw it in pain and frustration after it slipped and crowned me. Hurt like hades! Hurts just to think about it. Had a worn that simple, silly hardhat I have in my shop I might have strained my neck, but I wouldn't have had my eyes crossed by that cussed bar.

I wear a helmet because I don't care for pain. Well, htfu training pain is ok, but not impact pain. I realize a 5000 pound SUV will flat kill me, helmet or no. And a fall at 40+mph will take a lot of hide, and landing square on my head at that speed will likely see me do a permanent lights-out, as well (and high speed descents scare me, as I know that my lycra-clad form will lose in a battle with the pavement or one of our monstrous Oregon drainage ditches). But I wear a helmet whenever I ride. That styrofoam cooler on my head can prevent a serious headache, keep me from leaving a patch of scalp on the road if I lay it down and do the road rash thing, and might possibly save my life. I'm not simple enough to believe that the helmet is the be-all end-all of head protection (and head protection does not mitigate the only risk - a close friend almost lost his son to internal bleeding after a bike wreck, from the handlebar rupturing his spleen).

But whack your head, wearing a helmet, with a hammer handle. Now take the helmet off and repeat. Ouch. So to me the helmet is worth it.

And if I think you are <word I cannot type> for not wearing one, that's my opinion. Whether I think you are logical or not, that's my opinion. It is your head to leave uncovered, mine to cover.

And I am opposed to mandatory helmet and seatbelt laws. You do your thing - it isn't some legislature's job to save you from yourself no matter what the topic. The mandatory laws are usually based on saving the children - a favorite ploy of all lawmakers - and then they "logically" grow from there.
Well, that all makes sense. But it makes just as much sense if you are talking about knee pads, or wrist guards, or all the other protective gear that you're not wearing.
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Old 10-23-11, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by mconlonx
I most emphatically do not disagree with said director, but his findings are not at odds with my statement....
sure it is, and nice to see you place your expertise above the good doctors.

How about another doctors opinion who sat on the Canadian Standards Association Committee establishing helmet standards?

Dr. Michael Schwartz, neurosurgeon said,

helmets will mitigate the effects of falling off your bicycle and striking your head . . . If a cyclist is accelerated by a car, then the helmet will not work and will not prevent a severe or even fatal injury.
I suppose you don't agree with him either?
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Old 10-23-11, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by closetbiker
sure it is, and nice to see you place your expertise above the good doctors.

How about another doctors opinion who sat on the Canadian Standards Association Committee establishing helmet standards?

Dr. Michael Schwartz, neurosurgeon said, [blah, blah, something mconlonx agrees with]

I suppose you don't agree with him either?
From the first relevant post, the director's comments about helmet effectiveness was in regards to forces where: "...the impact energy potentials were of a level that outstripped those that we use to certify Grand Prix motor racing helmets..."

There's nothing you can glean from the source you cited to indicate helmet effectiveness when "...subjected to forces by a motor vehicle at levels for which it was designed to mitigate..."

So I do indeed tend to agree with and thus affirm the expertise of the good doctor in this matter, just that it has nothing to do with what I said. Which is dishonest on your part and does your cause no good when you argue in such demonstrably poor faith.

I do not disagree with your second source, either. But thanks for wording it like I disagree with first source, again, when I've already voiced my agreement in the post you're responding to.
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Old 10-23-11, 11:20 AM
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PS: If you don't wear a helmet, you will die.
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Old 10-23-11, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by david58
What is almost zero?

How does cycling's almost zero compare with an industrial site's almost zero, a pedestrian's almost zero, or even a drunk driver's almost zero?

Does a goose egg count as an almost zero? Stitches? Concussion? Or coma?

Do you measure by miles ridden? Or by trips? Or by type of riding? Maybe age of rider or skill level?

A statistical analysis that has any meaning at all takes a bit of thought to devise. And all too often the "deviser" is devising in order to prove his/her point.

There is a dearth of reliable statistics on this topic - so to say "almost zero" has almost zero basis - we are almost reduced to anecdotal numbers or observations. In my life, I have known two cyclists to suffer head injuries. Certainly not statistics. But I know that I have crashed, my head has banged the ground, and my helmet has arguably prevented a headache. For the inconvenience, it is worth it to me. Apparently it is not worth it to you. But again, it is our decision - we get to make it based on our own opinion, since there really aren't any reliable numbers for us to make a decision.
Funny you use being a pedestrian as an example, because it is a good one. There are actually fewer head injuries for cyclists (and no, I'm not going to re-post every link here, either find it yourself or not...) then there are for pedestrians. Are you suggesting that pedestrians should wear helmets also? Oh, and I fully encourage you to find any reference to there being more head injuries for cyclists than there are, or at least were before hard hats, than in industry. Espescially construction. Please...and yes, there are reliable numbers, just follow any link here and you'll find them.
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Old 10-23-11, 05:24 PM
  #266  
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Originally Posted by Hippiebrian
Funny you use being a pedestrian as an example, because it is a good one. There are actually fewer head injuries for cyclists (and no, I'm not going to re-post every link here, either find it yourself or not...) then there are for pedestrians. Are you suggesting that pedestrians should wear helmets also? Oh, and I fully encourage you to find any reference to there being more head injuries for cyclists than there are, or at least were before hard hats, than in industry. Espescially construction. Please...and yes, there are reliable numbers, just follow any link here and you'll find them.
HB, YOU are the one that made the almost zero statement. YOU get to support it if you wish. Again, I'm not trying to persuade, but apparently you are.

I am wearing a helmet. You may or may not, at your pleasure. And either one of us can get smacked by a Mac truck and the helmet is of course irrelevant. But my wearing my helmet isn't going to get me hurt, and it certainly won't hurt you (me wearing a helmet).
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Old 10-23-11, 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by david58
HB, YOU are the one that made the almost zero statement. YOU get to support it if you wish. Again, I'm not trying to persuade, but apparently you are.

I am wearing a helmet. You may or may not, at your pleasure. And either one of us can get smacked by a Mac truck and the helmet is of course irrelevant. But my wearing my helmet isn't going to get me hurt, and it certainly won't hurt you (me wearing a helmet).
Ahh, we agree for a change! I have no desire to get you to go lidless, however I do get tired of people telling me and others why we are being less than rational by not wearing one. There are very good reasons people go without helmets, such as the relative safety or the activity vs. the uncomfortability or hassle of the equipment. In my book, bicycling within your limits while paying attention is just not dangerous enough to warrant head protection, espescially looking at the numbers (like I said, there are plenty of links posted here which back that). If you don't, fine, but good luck convincing someone else to ride when they percieve it as so dangerous helmets are involved!
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Old 10-23-11, 06:39 PM
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it has nothing to do with what I said.
Yes it does. The experts specifically exclude the involvement of motor vehicles while you include them.

Heck, even the bhsi says the most important thing is to avoid collisions with motor vehicles because collisions with them exceed the limits of a helmet

Last edited by closetbiker; 10-23-11 at 10:31 PM.
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Old 10-24-11, 04:23 AM
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Cyclist who had helmet STOLEN, fighting for her life !

*Puts on flame ******ent suit*

I know helmets are a ^hot^ topic, and I am neither Pro nor Anti the wearing of helmets. But I wonder if wearing a helmet would have significantly reduced her injuries?

Personally, having read the article below, if she had not tried to ride over the piece plastic, this would not of happened. BTW, the section of the A338 that she was travelling on is a Dual Carriageway with a 50 MPH speed limit.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/new...sex_Way_crash/

Originally Posted by Bournemouth Daily Echo
8:10am Monday 24th October 2011 By Katie Clark

Lindsi Bluemel fighting for life after Wessex Way crash

A PROMINENT cycling campaigner whose helmet was stolen two days ago is fighting for life after a freak accident on the Wessex Way, Bournemouth, on Sunday morning.

Lindsi Bluemel, 56, from Southampton was riding along the cycle lane of the westbound carriageway of the A338 around 9.15am on Sunday when the incident took place.

She had just passed under the Springbourne flyover and was riding uphill towards the on slip road when she tried to ride over a five-metre long piece of UPVC plastic measuring 20mm by 15mm, which was lying diagonally across the cycle lane.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said according to eyewitnesses the bike wobbled suddenly and the back wheel appeared to slide out causing Mrs Bluemel, who is chairwoman of the Southampton Cycling Campaign, to fall and hit her head.

Witnesses stopped and gave first aid before an ambulance took her to Poole Hospital with life-threatening head injuries.

She is currently in a critical but stable condition. Her family has been informed.

Mrs Bluemel, who is an experienced cyclist, had her helmet stolen a couple of days ago.

She had not yet replaced it and was not wearing one at the time of the accident, the Dorset police spokesperson added.

As part of her work with the Southampton Cycling Campaign, Mrs Bluemel has called for roads to be made safer in the city alongside other improvements for cyclists.

Police closed the road underneath the Springbourne flyover while they investigated the incident.

The road was closed for more than two hours although the closure did not cause significant delays.

Witnesses should contact PC Brehmer on the non-emergency 101 number if they have any information.
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Old 10-24-11, 06:25 AM
  #270  
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If Ms. Bluemel herself had believed that a helmet was such a critical piece of equipment, why didn't she get a replacement? It's not like her helmet was stolen two minutes before she rode her bike.

The answer to your specific question is that it is impossible to know what difference it would have made.

Speedo
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Old 10-24-11, 07:27 AM
  #271  
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Originally Posted by Speedo
If Ms. Bluemel herself had believed that a helmet was such a critical piece of equipment, why didn't she get a replacement? It's not like her helmet was stolen two minutes before she rode her bike.

The answer to your specific question is that it is impossible to know what difference it would have made.

Speedo
True, but it only says she was an activist/experienced cyclist - does not say if she campaigned for helmets though.
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Old 10-24-11, 07:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Speedo
If Ms. Bluemel herself had believed that a helmet was such a critical piece of equipment, why didn't she get a replacement? It's not like her helmet was stolen two minutes before she rode her bike.

The answer to your specific question is that it is impossible to know what difference it would have made.

Speedo
The same reason I'd still drive a car with an airbag system light on, until I had the chance to get it repaired.
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Old 10-24-11, 07:50 AM
  #273  
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Originally Posted by Speedo
If Ms. Bluemel herself had believed that a helmet was such a critical piece of equipment, why didn't she get a replacement? It's not like her helmet was stolen two minutes before she rode her bike.

The answer to your specific question is that it is impossible to know what difference it would have made.

Speedo
I was thinking the same thing.

Also, Why did she try to ride over the pipe in the first place.
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Old 10-24-11, 07:51 AM
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The vaguely hidden assumption here is it is her fault for not wearing a helmet. However since it was just her and her bike, a helmet surely would have mitagated her injury.

Also there is not enough information to make a logial judgement. She may have already have ordered a helmet from an internet store, and was waiting for it to come in.
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Old 10-24-11, 08:38 AM
  #275  
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Originally Posted by CaptCarrot
*Puts on flame ******ent suit*

I know helmets are a ^hot^ topic, and I am neither Pro nor Anti the wearing of helmets. But I wonder if wearing a helmet would have significantly reduced her injuries?
I wonder if, or just how long it will be before this thread is shut down.

The newest installment of the helmet thread started off with this moderator comment

Originally Posted by unterhausen
... This is the only thread where a discussion of the pros and cons of wearing a helmet will be discussed. Others will be locked or deleted.
but before it does, I wonder why the focus is on the helmet, rather than a dangerous obstacle lying in wait?

I tend to agree with Speedo

Originally Posted by Speedo
... it is impossible to know what difference it would have made.
because there have been plenty of helmet wearing cyclists who are severely injured wearing helmets. While some case controlled studies have shown they have reduced injury (and others that show they haven't), real life records show there is no clear indication wearing them have helped reduce injury.

The premise of the article implies a helmet would have reduced injury. It runs against the research.

Originally Posted by Chris516
... Why did she try to ride over the pipe in the first place.
There's that too, and one of the big problems of focusing on helmet use. Prevention takes a back seat to mitigation. The cyclist would have been completely injury free had she not run over the pipe to begin with
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