Er, I think his point was that the question was irrelevant given that he hadn't hit his head. But please, let's not have this argument here, there's an enormous helmet thread in advocacy and safety that has been specially provided for those of us who like to do that...

First, I'm very sorry about your very unfortunate incident. And that cop is a dumbass for sure.

You can argue that Archduke Ferdinand was wearing a bullet proof vest, but WWI still happened.

Does that mean bullet proof vest are useless, as he was wearing one at the time of his assassination? Problem was, he was shot in the jugular vein.

Moral of the story is, a helmet will not protect against all head injuries (most famous one being the death of Ayrton Senna when a piece of the support structure of a wheel penetrated his helmet visor estimated roughly at 135mph. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_o..._Senna#Autopsy).

However, I still believe some injuries can be prevented with the use of a helmet. Therefore, it increase your odds of survival in some accidents. In my opinion, some is better than nothing.

The First Responders don't know whether he hit his head or not. They weren't there when the accident/attack occurred thus they have to ask. It is standard procedure to ask.

I'm not arguing with anyone simply answering the poster's question.

1)What helmet do you use? Bell Ghisallo

2)What did you pay for it? $70

3)And when/what will make you decide to replace it? When there is a crack in it, and usually one fall will do that.

1) Specialized Air Force 3

2) About ~$50 CAD (our stuff is overpriced here; I could cross the border and get the same helmet for about 30 bucks).

3) I'll replace it if I crash, it shows obvious signs of deterioration, it gets too old, or I find a smokin' hot deal on another helmet. I love the idea of the Bell Muni, but I can't justify another $70 CAD for a helmet when my Specialized is less than a year old. Plus, if I bought the Bell, I'd have to buy those oh-so-tempting accessories.

While I'm reluctant to add fuel to the fire, I nevertheless feel a need to chime in on my own reasons for wearing a helmet.

1) My 4-year-old son has been riding with me since he was just over a year old, and I always make him wear a helmet. Not only is it the law in these parts for kids under 17, but I'm trying to set a good example so Daddy wears his, too.

2) As a Respiratory Therapist I've worked a lot with neuro patients who have suffered closed-head injuries, some of which may have been prevented had they been wearing a helmet (even one is too many, IMHO).

3) You can throw all the statistics you want at me, both for and against helmets. Personally, I feel naked without mine; it's akin to riding in a vehicle without a seatbelt on. And, as Mark Twain was fond of saying, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

1)What helmet do you use?
Bell Alchera

2)What did you pay for it?
$60

3)And when/what will make you decide to replace it?
The pads get so funky I can't take it anymore, or it will just get old. Hopefully not because I crash it.

I'll leave the argument for A&S, but to specifically answer your question, the news media is to blame for this strange phenomenon. It goes something like this:

"The cyclist was hit head on by the oncoming train. The few parts of his body that remained were strewn over a 3 mile radius. Unfortunately, the cyclist was NOT wearing a helmet."

Good idea. Kids are more likely to simply fall off, and to hit their heads if they do fall off: and it is in simple falls that helmets offer a measure of protection. However, this:

is no better than saying that you aren't interested in the facts, you just want to believe what you believe. Whatever.

http://www.pocsports.com/

The end all be all or whatever, I got the Trabec on order after tryin a co workes ($145 ($175 for the "race" version & they have a "Commuter" version....it feels like theres nothing on your head, its so damn comftorable + check out all the safety awards/nominations its recieved.

I was only offering my personal beliefs, based on my experience, as is true with almost everything I post here. I meant no offense. I just threw in the Twain quote because I thought it (the quote, not me) was clever. Of course, YMMV.

Peace! :D

1)What helmet do you use?
Giro Rift
2)What did you pay for it?
About $50
3)And when/what will make you decide to replace it?
It takes a hit, gets to funky, or I find something lighter/cooler that I like to justify the cost.

1. Bell Influx.
2. About $40.
3. When cars are no more (it stays home unless I'm on a group ride that requires it)....

Bell Muni Bicycle Road Helmet

$55.17

A few years

1) nutcase urban warning design with extra reflective stickers.
2) about $50
3) I'll buy a roadie-looking helmet for more casual riding as soon as I find a good deal. My wife hates the stupid-looking nutcase, but I will continue to wear it for commuting.

1) Bontrager Convert (ordered and will be in my hands in a few days)
2) 50 euros ($71)
3) If it doesn't have an expiration date (like motorcycle helmets do), I'll change it when it starts to show it's age -or- something more comfortable becomes available.

http://www.cyclist.gr/thumbnail.php?...7-415410_4.jpg

1)What helmet do you use?
* Specialized S-Works Prevail

2)What did you pay for it?
* A Staggering $229

3)And when/what will make you decide to replace it?
* When winter rolls around I'll be ordering an additional helmet with integrated ear warmers.
* And when 5 years pass, or I crash and the Prevail takes a hit.

1. Bell Metro with rain cover if it's raining; Specialized S-Works if it's not.

2. Metro: about $60, maybe. It's been a while. S-Works: $120, half of msrp because I had an inside line.

3. When they crack.

1) Specialized something-or-other.
2) ~$30.
3) When it's damaged (so hopefully never).

1) Bell Metro and Giro something

2) $35/ $3 ( purchased at a flea market- in box, unused)

3) Will more than likely replace the Bell Metro this winter with a similar model.

1. Bell Faction
2. about 40$
3. When it breaks or I have enough money for: http://www.gathsports.com/productsingle.php?id=2

I know it's not a bike helmet but I'd really like a retractable visor, I have a fixed visor on the Faction.

Ditto, like the 6th time or something.

As my wife says: "Helmets are sexier than head injuries". I'd have to agree and state they are more comfortable as well.

Giro Hex - nice venting and doesn't look like I'm tryin' to be Lance.

About $30

I'll replace it when Giro will stop sending me new pads... I go through them like crazy. I'm looking into a multi-sport helmet for commuting though.

Those who use multi-sport helmets; what made you go this route? Aesthetics? Function? Comfort? Price? They look a bit more durable as far as day to day scratches and the like go. Do they vent decently? I don't worry about aerodynamics at all, and hate the way heavily vented helmets look, but I sure do like the airflow when the temps break 100F for weeks on end with high humidity.

A Schwinn cheapo foam hat.

Yard sale for 3 bucks.

When it breaks or my ego causes my head to swell to the point where it no longer fits.

Giro not sure of the model
Bought in 2000 when I was in college.
Prolly paid $40.

I crashed once, but missed my head. Still at 11 years I will replace it this winter.

Bell something or other for $40 to replace the one that "wore out" a few winters ago when I headbutted the concrete pathway after hitting a patch of ice.

I bought a $20 Bell from Walmart yesterday. I was in a motorcycle accident at 55mph a number of months ago, helmet saved my freaking life. While I wholeheartedly believe these things are goofy looking, you won't see me ride anywhere significant(read: outside the neighborhood) without one. But I'll never be able to justify spending more than 50 bucks on a helmet.

I'll replace it when it gets raggedy, nasty, or broke.

The helmet: LG Titan carbon.
Cost: Nothing. Got it from my brother earlier this year when he was getting out of bicycling and I was getting back in.
When to replace: next spring or so. It was made in '06, so it's about at the end of its lifespan.

Hah. You think replacing a bicycle helmet is expensive? Take a look at motorcycle helmets: same replacement timeframe (about 5 years or less) and cost from $150 to $800 or more. I stopped feeling quite so bad about gear costs for bicycling when I got into motorcycles. ;)