Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Advocacy & Safety
Reload this Page >

The helmet thread

Search
Notices
Advocacy & Safety Cyclists should expect and demand safe accommodation on every public road, just as do all other users. Discuss your bicycle advocacy and safety concerns here.
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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-29-12, 07:44 AM
  #3101  
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times in 635 Posts
I actually would like to know what makes the anti helmet zealots tick. I have one theory----they are the hairy chested types that want to project an image, but really know they should be wearing a helmet.
So they post all the anti helmet diatribes that become a sounding board for like types. That way they are seeking and find reinforcement of their flawed judgement.
rydabent is offline  
Old 07-29-12, 11:12 AM
  #3102  
Senior Member
 
mconlonx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,558
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7148 Post(s)
Liked 134 Times in 92 Posts
Originally Posted by closetbiker
so in other words, they thought, "it could have been worse", but they didn't know, and assumed, the helmet "must have" helped, even if it didn't.

Still, I fail to see the "good news" when Helmeteers pontificate without really knowing what the helmet did or did not do
You want to make this all about the "good news" quote.

All I'm trying to point out is your misleading citation. Publicist was playing this off as "good news" when he was still alive -- you want to make this out as if the publicist was saying this is good news after he died. Which is so obviously not the case, based on the link you provided.

But it is typical of the way the bare-head brigade enjoys misrepresenting citations, studies, pulling things out of context, etc.
mconlonx is offline  
Old 07-29-12, 11:14 AM
  #3103  
Senior Member
 
mconlonx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,558
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7148 Post(s)
Liked 134 Times in 92 Posts
Originally Posted by sudo bike
Bingo.
So you also support misrepresentation of quotes from legitimate sources...?
mconlonx is offline  
Old 07-29-12, 11:18 AM
  #3104  
Senior Member
 
mconlonx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,558
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7148 Post(s)
Liked 134 Times in 92 Posts
Originally Posted by skye
British study concludes "that cycle helmets may not be especially
effective in reducing head injuries."


https://jme.bmj.com/content/early/201...cs-2011-100085

I keep waiting for the helmeteers to come up with some untainted evidence. They seem unable to do so, relying on faith-based salvation qualities of helmets.
Seriously?

Here's the full quote you clipped:

"
We suggest that cycle helmets may not be especially effective in reducing head injuries and we suggest that the imposition of such a restrictive law would violate people's freedom and reduce their autonomy. We also argue that those who accept such a restrictive law would be committed to supporting further legislation which would force many other groups – including pedestrians – to take fewer risks with their health. We conclude that cycle helmet legislation should not be enacted in the UK unless, perhaps, it is restricted to children."
In other words, they are not saying quite what you say they are saying; rather, they are disputing the positive effects of mandatory helmet laws, which most agree with...

Last edited by mconlonx; 07-29-12 at 11:26 AM.
mconlonx is offline  
Old 07-29-12, 11:23 AM
  #3105  
Senior Member
 
mconlonx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,558
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7148 Post(s)
Liked 134 Times in 92 Posts
Originally Posted by RazrSkutr
So you'd fall into the group of people that believe that bike helmets prevent TBI?

I was going to wear a helmet today, but my wife begged me not to because she was worried that the risk of rotational injuries (probably exacerbated to the tune of low single digit percentages by strapping on a helmet) might leave our daughter without a father. So I decided to do the responsible thing and leave it at home. I hate the idea of my family wishing that I hadn't succumbed to religious bullying. Imagine them saying: if only Daddy had THOUGHT instead of assuming despite all the evidence.
How many cyclists die, world-wide, any given year, due to helmet induced rotational brain injuries...?
mconlonx is offline  
Old 07-29-12, 11:52 AM
  #3106  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,406
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4343 Post(s)
Liked 1,413 Times in 989 Posts
Originally Posted by mconlonx
All I'm trying to point out is your misleading citation.
He does that frequently.

Originally Posted by mconlonx
How many cyclists die, world-wide, any given year, due to helmet induced rotational brain injuries...?
No one has any idea. It's a speculated problem. There isn't any evidence that shows it occurs in the real world with any sort of regularity. And many of the anti-helmet camp don't appear to have any problems with helmet use when mountain biking. I guess there's a magic effect that doesn't cause rotation injuries mountain biking.

Last edited by njkayaker; 07-29-12 at 11:56 AM.
njkayaker is offline  
Old 07-29-12, 12:28 PM
  #3107  
Geck, wo ist mein Fahrrad
 
Rx Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Front Range
Posts: 715
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I keep wondering about the rotational injury thing and it seems it would have a bigger affect the faster you were going when it occurred.
going 10 mph doesn't seem there would be enough force to worry about, where as 40-50 would worry me. but then at those speeds the limits of the helmet's protection have been exceeded. I would argue the faster you go the less you would "need" a helmet, at least the beer cooler variety. I wouldn't mind wearing a heavier, hotter, uglier helmet that worked. it's why I wear one in the winter when I have to go slow.

does anyone else notice how many children ride with a helmet blocking their vision or off to the side, beret style because the straps are so loose? I used to stop and ask the parents if I could adjust them for them, but no more, when the kid falls off the bike the parents will praise the helmets and their wise decision to use them. I won't have to hear it, so I probably shouldn't even care.
Rx Rider is offline  
Old 07-29-12, 09:14 PM
  #3108  
Senior Member
 
closetbiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,630
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by mconlonx
You want to make this all about the "good news" quote.

All I'm trying to point out is your misleading citation. Publicist was playing this off as "good news" when he was still alive -- you want to make this out as if the publicist was saying this is good news after he died. Which is so obviously not the case, based on the link you provided.

But it is typical of the way the bare-head brigade enjoys misrepresenting citations, studies, pulling things out of context, etc.
Read it again big boy. The publicist assumed his helmet prevented "long-term damage", when it didn't. The "good news" was based on an assumption that was wrong. It wasn't "good news" at all.

My post (and link) was all about the whacked-out logic people have about helmets, which is all about the "good news" quote. I didn't misrepresent it.

Last edited by closetbiker; 07-31-12 at 08:05 AM.
closetbiker is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 02:07 AM
  #3109  
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 33

Bikes: 2012 Tarmac Comp, 2011 S-Works SL3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
First of all,
definitely helmet on every ride (unless you are riding on your trainer in the living room)
Same way you put your seatbelt on in a car.

Good helmet too. Not an expensive one (that is not the point here) but safe and comfortable,
remember you are always the "weakest link" on the road, when things go sour, you should protect your head,
even when your arms get some traction.
Speaking of helmets, Giro Aeon has been the best one I ever had (had Uvex, Specialized (even though I am a fan), bell)

I hope that is what the thread is about (I was a bit confused intially)
qeaou is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 02:47 AM
  #3110  
Banned.
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Uncertain
Posts: 8,651
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by qeaou

I hope that is what the thread is about (I was a bit confused intially)
I appreciate that this thread s very long and it may be asking too much to request new posters to read it all before participating. But surely even a cursory examination would have told you that it is not just soliciting opinions on which helmets to use.

Since you're in Australia, how about giving us your opinion on why introducing mandatory helmets laws seems to have failed to make Australian cyclists - those that remain, anyway - any safer?
chasm54 is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 02:51 AM
  #3111  
Banned.
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Uncertain
Posts: 8,651
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by mconlonx
Seriously?

Here's the full quote you clipped:

"
We suggest that cycle helmets may not be especially effective in reducing head injuries and we suggest that the imposition of such a restrictive law would violate people's freedom and reduce their autonomy. We also argue that those who accept such a restrictive law would be committed to supporting further legislation which would force many other groups – including pedestrians – to take fewer risks with their health. We conclude that cycle helmet legislation should not be enacted in the UK unless, perhaps, it is restricted to children."
In other words, they are not saying quite what you say they are saying; rather, they are disputing the positive effects of mandatory helmet laws, which most agree with...
No, they are saying exactly what he said they were saying. Read the first fourteen words of the passage quoted. Their opposition to MHLs follows their assessment that helmets may not be especially effective.
chasm54 is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 05:26 AM
  #3112  
Senior Member
 
skye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 902
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by mconlonx
How many cyclists die, world-wide, any given year, due to helmet induced rotational brain injuries...?
An even better question: How many cyclists die, world-wide, any given year, due to head injuries?

A: Damn few.
skye is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 07:28 AM
  #3113  
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times in 635 Posts
Apparently my post #3102 hit too close to home for members of the anti helmet cult to even want to discuss it.!
rydabent is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 08:20 AM
  #3114  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,406
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4343 Post(s)
Liked 1,413 Times in 989 Posts
Originally Posted by skye
Originally Posted by mconlonx
How many cyclists die, world-wide, any given year, due to helmet induced rotational brain injuries...?
An even better question: How many cyclists die, world-wide, any given year, due to head injuries?

A: Damn few.
You just said that the the "rotational injury" argument is specious.

You don't really have a problem with specious arguments. As long as they support your position.

Anyway, most cyclists, world-wide, are likely riding rather slowly too. If you were really interested in reducing injuries, you'd be for mandatory limits to bicycle speed!

===================

The arguments against helmets are all over the place.

While the arguments for helmets is not very strong. The arguments against them are no better.
njkayaker is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 08:26 AM
  #3115  
Pedal Pusher/Pundit
 
mcrow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Hutchinson/Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 420

Bikes: Motobecane Jubilee

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by hagen2456
Yes. Belief. That's all we need.
Yes, what these forums really need is more snark. Seriously, in my short time here all I see is a bunch of unhappy snarky people who have nothing better to do than be smartasses. Many of you have no intention of having an actual conversation.
mcrow is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 11:20 AM
  #3116  
Senior Member
 
Monster Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Warwick, UK
Posts: 1,049

Bikes: 2000-something 3 speed commuter, 1990-something Raleigh Scorpion

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by rydabent
Apparently my post #3102 hit too close to home for members of the anti helmet cult to even want to discuss it.!
Apparently you don't read or don't like the explanations that have been posted numerous times. Essentially, people can't be bothered to keep posting stuff for you to ignore.
Monster Pete is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 12:11 PM
  #3117  
Geck, wo ist mein Fahrrad
 
Rx Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Front Range
Posts: 715
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by qeaou
First of all,
definitely helmet on every ride (unless you are riding on your trainer in the living room)
Same way you put your seatbelt on in a car.
Good helmet too. Not an expensive one (that is not the point here) but safe and comfortable,

remember you are always the "weakest link" on the road, when things go sour, you should protect your head,
even when your arms get some traction.
Speaking of helmets, Giro Aeon has been the best one I ever had (had Uvex, Specialized (even though I am a fan), bell)
I hope that is what the thread is about (I was a bit confused intially)
why would you be confused? just because your post is the only one with a helmet recommendation in six pages?

that's good advice to remember BTW, and now as I have responded to your post as is customary in the helmet thread I'll need to insult something about you, did you have a preference? future offspring? your mother? perhaps you'd like it to remain about you and your IQ. do let me know. and welcome to the BF.
Rx Rider is offline  
Old 07-31-12, 08:00 AM
  #3118  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mconlonx
How many cyclists die, world-wide, any given year, due to helmet induced rotational brain injuries...?
The same number that are saved by them probably.

No one knows.

Assertions to the contrary are dishonest.

Apparently it's now 5%.
RazrSkutr is offline  
Old 07-31-12, 04:16 PM
  #3119  
Senior Member
 
SweetLou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,114
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I found that one of the local bike shops is having an evening ride. Their facebook page says, "HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS RECOMMENDED AND HELMET IS REQUIRED!"
Seems strange to me, since headlights and taillights are required by state law and helmets are not.
SweetLou is offline  
Old 07-31-12, 04:21 PM
  #3120  
Bicikli Huszár
 
sudo bike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 2,116

Bikes: '95 Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mcrow
Yes, what these forums really need is more snark. Seriously, in my short time here all I see is a bunch of unhappy snarky people who have nothing better to do than be smartasses. Many of you have no intention of having an actual conversation.
Welcome to the Internet.
sudo bike is offline  
Old 07-31-12, 04:23 PM
  #3121  
Bicikli Huszár
 
sudo bike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 2,116

Bikes: '95 Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by SweetLou
I found that one of the local bike shops is having an evening ride. Their facebook page says, "HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS RECOMMENDED AND HELMET IS REQUIRED!"
Seems strange to me, since headlights and taillights are required by state law and helmets are not.
And that headlights and taillights help prevent a collision from occurring with a car, something often fatal; a helmet is only designed to help after a crash, and not with a car.
sudo bike is offline  
Old 07-31-12, 04:35 PM
  #3122  
Senior Member
 
Monster Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Warwick, UK
Posts: 1,049

Bikes: 2000-something 3 speed commuter, 1990-something Raleigh Scorpion

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
That's the basic problem: all the frenzied and disproportionate promotion and mandating of helmets distracts from other safety aspects which actually make a difference.
Monster Pete is offline  
Old 07-31-12, 06:46 PM
  #3123  
Senior Member
 
closetbiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,630
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Monster Pete
That's the basic problem: all the frenzied and disproportionate promotion and mandating of helmets distracts from other safety aspects which actually make a difference.
Could be a reason why helmet laws seem to make little or no impact on injury rates, focus on helmets distract from more effective methods of injury prevention, those methods often ignored because of the faith placed in helmets to prevent injury.
closetbiker is offline  
Old 07-31-12, 09:04 PM
  #3124  
Senior Member
 
SweetLou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,114
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by sudo bike
And that headlights and taillights help prevent a collision from occurring with a car, something often fatal; a helmet is only designed to help after a crash, and not with a car.
Not only that, but I thought the reason why all the organized rides require a helmet is because of "insurance reasons". At least that is what they say. I am not a lawyer, but wouldn't allowing people to ride without state required equipment void the policy and open up a lawsuit?
SweetLou is offline  
Old 07-31-12, 09:55 PM
  #3125  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 15 Posts
Originally Posted by rydabent
Apparently my post #3102 hit too close to home for members of the anti helmet cult to even want to discuss it.!
Nothing sadder than a troll who can't get people to talk to him.
Six jours is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.