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...of course the justification for helmet laws and the means by which they were lobbied and introduced is yet another very thorny issue.
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Originally Posted by ChezJfrey
he fact remains that a helmet may adequately protect you from a head injury if you crash your bike and only your mass determines the force of impact. If an auto hits you at speed, that helmet is very likely inadequate protection against the applied forces.
I do just want to bring up though, just because i hear this bike vs car thing come up a lot in the helmet arguments, that not all car hits are at huge speeds. A car vs bike collision isnt instant disintegration of the cyclist in most circumstances. Ive seen a lot of car vs bike collisions, and most of them the biker didnt hit anything too much harder than he would have if he would have fallen on his own. |
I almost mentioned helmets in cars....
...which could prove very useful. After all, head injuries from side impacts are a major concern in motor vehicle accidents. After all, racing drivers use them. I see plenty of folks here in sunny California driving like there's no tomorrow on the freeway in open topped cars. Makes you think? Still, it seems unbelievable now that there was so much opposition to mandatory use of seatbelts. Ed |
Originally Posted by lima_bean
I agree with your entire post, the helmet nannyism is nuts. Personally see more need for it in a car, and I personally would even wear one in a car if I wouldnt be called a loon for it.
I do just want to bring up though, just because i hear this bike vs car thing come up a lot in the helmet arguments, that not all car hits are at huge speeds. A car vs bike collision isnt instant disintegration of the cyclist in most circumstances. Ive seen a lot of car vs bike collisions, and most of them the biker didnt hit anything too much harder than he would have if he would have fallen on his own. Thanks Ed! |
You are welcome :)
I tried to compose a purely objective statement, without bias towards either side of the debate. Ed |
Originally Posted by Ed Holland
I hesitate to get into this thread again...
Its a shame the "helmet debate" ever reached the fever pitch and the entrenched viewpoints for which it has become famous. This is far more a reflection of society than it is on the true requirement or effectiveness of bike helmets. All we need to know is that helmets are available to minimise the risk of incurring certain types of head injuries while cyclling. This may or may not save your brain function or life according to exact circumstances and it is provided for you to use at your discretion* Ed *unless mandated by law. |
Originally Posted by Ed Holland
I almost mentioned helmets in cars....
Let's mandate all drivers wear helmets. That'll work. |
Originally Posted by LittleBigMan
Anyone who reads would know helmeted drivers are safer, since head injuries are a major cause of death from motor vehicle crashes.
Let's mandate all drivers wear helmets. That'll work. In a documentary on vehicle safety some years ago, one of the expert contributors suggested (in humour) that people would dive in a far safer manner were cars designed with a 6" sharp metal spike pointed at them from the centre of the steering wheel... Ed |
Originally Posted by Ed Holland
In a documentary on vehicle safety some years ago, one of the expert contributors suggested (in humour) that people would dive in a far safer manner were cars designed with a 6" sharp metal spike pointed at them from the centre of the steering wheel...
Ed Those women would instantly be poked by your six inch spike ;) See bikes ARE safer, helmet or no helmet. |
Originally Posted by Ed Holland
In a documentary on vehicle safety some years ago, one of the expert contributors suggested (in humour) that people would dive in a far safer manner were cars designed with a 6" sharp metal spike pointed at them from the centre of the steering wheel...
Ed Sometimes I feel like I'm being treated like a "little old lady." ;) |
Originally Posted by LittleBigMan
Sometimes I feel like I'm being treated like a "little old lady."
;) It's true that drivers are often generally no better behaved toward other drivers than to cyclists. Some are nervous around cyclists, perhaps because they fear to hit a person more than another car? Others have an inexplicable problem with cyclists... Cheers, Ed |
Originally Posted by 1ply
Then I slowly got used to the idea.
No, it's not what you think. I simply forgot my helmet. I also switched out my pedals for some crappy old flats I had in my bike parts box AND I didn't wear my still sopping wet from yesterdays ride gloves. But boy I felt free. Free I tell you! The only strange part was when I went to pull up on the pedal at an intersection :) . The no helmet certainly seemed to help in the wetness department as it's currently 18° (64°F) and 100% humidity. I was traveling at normal speed, no more no less but I was practically dripping. I think the only thing that I will go back to wearing is the gloves, other than that I'm free! Makes the bike more of a utilitarian thing, just get on and go. No putting on special equipment to run down to the store... I will switch pedals again when (if?) I go for my longer rides, but for day to day commuting... free I tell ya! |
Come on.... play nice.
Wishing harm on others is a crappy thing to do. |
Originally Posted by ryanspeer
Be sure to post here on the forums when you're in the hospital after getting side-swiped by a mindless vehicle. We all promise to send get well cards. Enjoy riding without your helmet.
For my commute, about 1/3 of the time I'm on a mup, which has usually less than 20 people on it from start to finish. The other time I play in traffic and take chances with my life. Perhaps all your riding time is spent in the living room on a trainer surrounded by mattresses just to be safer if you fall. How did you survive childhood? Did you have a helmet? I know I sure didn't and the things I do now pale in comparison to the kinds of things we used to do on our bmx bikes. |
Originally Posted by DataJunkie
Come on.... play nice.
Wishing harm on others is a crappy thing to do. |
Here's a reason that hasn't been mentioned for wearing the helmet. I feel confident riding without a helmet a short distance in my neighborhood, but I don't. Here's why, I'm setting an example. Yeah, its probably not catching on to well, because lots of kids and adults are still riding around without helmets. Kids for sure should have them, they don't have the experience and some are into performing stunts that put them at more risk. But I'm not going to be the one a kid makes a comment about, such as "look mom/dad, he's not wearing a helmet, why do I have to wear mine." Got to get back to work. Have fun with the debate.
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Originally Posted by ryanspeer
(Post 4865036)
I wish no harm at all. I'm just saying that if you're tempting fate, you can't ask for a ton of sympathy... That's all. Nothing personal.
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Originally Posted by karasek
(Post 4886301)
Here's a reason that hasn't been mentioned for wearing the helmet. I feel confident riding without a helmet a short distance in my neighborhood, but I don't. Here's why, I'm setting an example. Yeah, its probably not catching on to well, because lots of kids and adults are still riding around without helmets. Kids for sure should have them, they don't have the experience and some are into performing stunts that put them at more risk. But I'm not going to be the one a kid makes a comment about, such as "look mom/dad, he's not wearing a helmet, why do I have to wear mine." Got to get back to work. Have fun with the debate.
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Riding safely will do a lot more to keep you out of the hospital than a helmet will. Despite this, I never ride without my helmet - 'cause you just never know if you're gonna need it to save your life.
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