open note to all helmet nazis...
08-08-09, 10:51 PM
#26
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08-08-09, 11:22 PM
#27
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Brother, you and your head can do whatever they like and yeah I agree that passing bikers throwing out instructions on biking safety is on the annoying side, but frankly I enjoy my head and therefore my helmet.
I replaced it earlier this year after my second crash in which I felt my helmet (with head installed) hit the pavement at 15-20 mph and skid along across railroad tracks. I thought about it a week later and looked at it carefully after reading through a silly thread such as this about helmets and saw the crack so decided I needed another as it saved my head twice.
Do want you like my friend for truly it is your body, but for myself I choose some degree of protection, it's served me well thus far. Above all enjoy your ride.
I replaced it earlier this year after my second crash in which I felt my helmet (with head installed) hit the pavement at 15-20 mph and skid along across railroad tracks. I thought about it a week later and looked at it carefully after reading through a silly thread such as this about helmets and saw the crack so decided I needed another as it saved my head twice.
Do want you like my friend for truly it is your body, but for myself I choose some degree of protection, it's served me well thus far. Above all enjoy your ride.
08-08-09, 11:28 PM
#28
Dilligaf
Hey lowlife, you are wasting your time man! These people are so brainwashed on the helmet issue, you've got more chance to see a Taliban walking around without a turban than I cyclist riding without a helmet. 
As you said - this is a free country. You get to ride without a helmet, they get to shout at you. Just give them their freedom of speech. I've been lectured and shouted at about the helmet millions of times but do you think I give a rat's arse? Yeap, you guessed it right - I don't. It will take a lot more than shouting obscenities to scare me. I wear a helmet on the club rides out of respect for the beliefs of my buddies (that the helmet is good for you). And some times I take my opportunities to remind them that I don't like the "hat". Hopefully one day they'll learn to respect my beliefs too. After all, I won't hurt anybody by riding without a helmet. And by the way, I don't lecture anybody what to wear when riding a bike.
Looks like you ride in the Irvine area. Maybe we can organize a BF ride where helmets will be strictly optional.
As you said - this is a free country. You get to ride without a helmet, they get to shout at you. Just give them their freedom of speech. I've been lectured and shouted at about the helmet millions of times but do you think I give a rat's arse? Yeap, you guessed it right - I don't. It will take a lot more than shouting obscenities to scare me. I wear a helmet on the club rides out of respect for the beliefs of my buddies (that the helmet is good for you). And some times I take my opportunities to remind them that I don't like the "hat". Hopefully one day they'll learn to respect my beliefs too. After all, I won't hurt anybody by riding without a helmet. And by the way, I don't lecture anybody what to wear when riding a bike.Looks like you ride in the Irvine area. Maybe we can organize a BF ride where helmets will be strictly optional.
08-09-09, 01:30 AM
#29
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if you're dumb enough to believe that helmets don't help, then a helmet can't help you and can't save what isn't there
08-09-09, 02:20 AM
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I've never had a nanny-type shout I should wear a helmet. At the speeds I normally ride my MTB it's not warranted on a basically traffic-free bike ride on my local MUT. I did recently purchase a helmet though in anticipation of my new road bike. I can't stand nanny types though. I'm an adult, and I can make my own decisions.
08-09-09, 02:46 AM
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salmon and ninja**********????
I'm new here, what do these terms mean?
I didn't wear a helmet until today, did a club ride and while it wasn't as 'free feeling' as the wind blowing in my hair, I really did feel a bit more safe. I've seen kids falling off their bikes on the beach trails (living in OC by Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington and Laguna) there's a TON of bike traffic and seeing one kid wreck and burst his head open was bad enough.
Plus, riding on the street you just don't have all the metal and steel around you like in a car.... just makes sense if you love your head - ya know?
Thx for the Ninja and Salmon explanation anyway!
Raven
I didn't wear a helmet until today, did a club ride and while it wasn't as 'free feeling' as the wind blowing in my hair, I really did feel a bit more safe. I've seen kids falling off their bikes on the beach trails (living in OC by Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington and Laguna) there's a TON of bike traffic and seeing one kid wreck and burst his head open was bad enough.
Plus, riding on the street you just don't have all the metal and steel around you like in a car.... just makes sense if you love your head - ya know?
Thx for the Ninja and Salmon explanation anyway!
Raven
08-09-09, 07:45 AM
#32
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Yeah, a car gives you a lot of protection. But even a car has seat belt requirements here in California.
08-09-09, 08:40 AM
#33
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Don't worry, you won't get a helmet comment from me. Just promise me you carry really good insurance or have an i.d. tag that says DNR, because we tax payers are sick of paying for people's negligence.
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08-09-09, 09:53 AM
#34
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08-09-09, 10:17 AM
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08-09-09, 10:31 AM
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Thanks. I thought of it because of a conversation I had on yesterday's ride. I stated I was against seatbelt or helmet laws for adults, and the other person pointed out that quite often the tax payer gets his with the medical costs, or supporting the vegetable left over, and suggested an implied waiver of treatment if you don't use the safety devices. I liked the idea.
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08-09-09, 10:48 AM
#38
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08-09-09, 10:59 AM
#39
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Thanks. I thought of it because of a conversation I had on yesterday's ride. I stated I was against seatbelt or helmet laws for adults, and the other person pointed out that quite often the tax payer gets his with the medical costs, or supporting the vegetable left over, and suggested an implied waiver of treatment if you don't use the safety devices. I liked the idea.
There are lots of people here who say "my helmet saved my life," when they'd have probably been just fine without it (in my life I have seen many, many, many helmetless slams - biking and skateboarding - that the person walked away from with no permanent injury).
And on the other hand, there are plenty of accidents that people say "he should have been wearing a helmet," when the accident was so extreme it wouldn't have saved him anyway.
So before we go wishing denial of treatment to accident victims, we need to get much better at determining what might have happened had they been wearing a helmet or using other safety devices.
08-09-09, 11:32 AM
#41
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LOL
Last edited by xtrajack; 08-09-09 at 11:37 AM.
08-09-09, 01:04 PM
#42
Riding like its 1990
08-09-09, 01:19 PM
#43
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especially the old man on the colnago in shady canyon this morning (i really hope that you are a BF member).
please, please do not interrupt my pleasant weekend ride by shouting at me and my friend to "wear a helmet" as you are passing by. not only is it incredibly rude, but the holier-than-thou attitude is liable to get you a massive knuckle sandwich next time, seriously. i grew up abiding by the old adage that if you got nothing good to say, then don't say anything at all. why you don't comprehend this is beyond me. i also grew up learning that this adage was especially important when dealing with complete strangers b/c who knows what sort of short tempered crazy nut bags are out there.
the great helmet debate has been discussed to death and basically comes down to individual preference, unless you're racing or on a club or organized ride. individual choice... what a great concept, kind of like what this country was founded on? my not wearing a helmet has no bearing on you or your ride or safety whatsoever. you have no idea why i am making the choices that i am making so just shut the eff up. i know what those helmet nazis are going to say, "hey i am just looking out for your saftey." thanks but i already got a mom for that... and besides, what's next, are you going to start shouting at people for not wearing sunglasses, gloves, cycling shoes, etc? are you going to lecture the guy with the creaky brakes and out of true wheel b/c that is also a safety concern?
get over yourself my friend and think twice before you open your big mouth b/c one day someone is going to close it for you, senior citizen or not, b/c no one is above a good old fashioned ass whupping.
please, please do not interrupt my pleasant weekend ride by shouting at me and my friend to "wear a helmet" as you are passing by. not only is it incredibly rude, but the holier-than-thou attitude is liable to get you a massive knuckle sandwich next time, seriously. i grew up abiding by the old adage that if you got nothing good to say, then don't say anything at all. why you don't comprehend this is beyond me. i also grew up learning that this adage was especially important when dealing with complete strangers b/c who knows what sort of short tempered crazy nut bags are out there.
the great helmet debate has been discussed to death and basically comes down to individual preference, unless you're racing or on a club or organized ride. individual choice... what a great concept, kind of like what this country was founded on? my not wearing a helmet has no bearing on you or your ride or safety whatsoever. you have no idea why i am making the choices that i am making so just shut the eff up. i know what those helmet nazis are going to say, "hey i am just looking out for your saftey." thanks but i already got a mom for that... and besides, what's next, are you going to start shouting at people for not wearing sunglasses, gloves, cycling shoes, etc? are you going to lecture the guy with the creaky brakes and out of true wheel b/c that is also a safety concern?
get over yourself my friend and think twice before you open your big mouth b/c one day someone is going to close it for you, senior citizen or not, b/c no one is above a good old fashioned ass whupping.
08-09-09, 03:48 PM
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What did all you helmet lovers do back in the day when there were no fancy $170+ carbon injected cranial caps? I grew up during the late 70's/early 80's BMX era. Nobody wore helmets except for the motorcycle style ones during the actual races. On the streets we spent all day long seeing how far and high we could jump. I remember a lot of scraped up hands, knees, busted balls and skin torn off backs, but not one shot to the head.
After all my years of road riding after my BMX days I still don't remember witnessing any major shots to the head on any club rides.
So what did you guys do back when there were only Cinelli leather hairnets and such? Even my first Brancale foam helmet was about as protective as taping empty egg cartons to your head. The first Giro's were a little better. So after 30+ years of riding in every condition imaginable, do I feel the need to wear my fancy sparkly Giro Atmos on a 8 foot wide smooth as a baby's butt MUT? heck no
And to the lady yesterday on the MUT that felt the need to tell me that her uncle or nephew or whatever hit a "small pebble" and died because he wasn't wearing a helmet... sorry but he falls into the category of rare incident in my book. "You should buy a helmet." Yeah...
After all my years of road riding after my BMX days I still don't remember witnessing any major shots to the head on any club rides.
So what did you guys do back when there were only Cinelli leather hairnets and such? Even my first Brancale foam helmet was about as protective as taping empty egg cartons to your head. The first Giro's were a little better. So after 30+ years of riding in every condition imaginable, do I feel the need to wear my fancy sparkly Giro Atmos on a 8 foot wide smooth as a baby's butt MUT? heck no
And to the lady yesterday on the MUT that felt the need to tell me that her uncle or nephew or whatever hit a "small pebble" and died because he wasn't wearing a helmet... sorry but he falls into the category of rare incident in my book. "You should buy a helmet." Yeah...
08-09-09, 04:13 PM
#46
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i ride motorbikes sometimes with no helmet , always a helmet on my bicycles, we bikers, bicycles and harley riders, should stick together and SAY LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE..........its a personal choice
08-09-09, 04:25 PM
#47
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Better yet, please sign up as an organ donor. You could save a life (or more) even if it's not yours.
08-09-09, 04:38 PM
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08-09-09, 04:43 PM
#49
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What did all you helmet lovers do back in the day when there were no fancy $170+ carbon injected cranial caps? I grew up during the late 70's/early 80's BMX era. Nobody wore helmets except for the motorcycle style ones during the actual races. On the streets we spent all day long seeing how far and high we could jump. I remember a lot of scraped up hands, knees, busted balls and skin torn off backs, but not one shot to the head.
After all my years of road riding after my BMX days I still don't remember witnessing any major shots to the head on any club rides.
So what did you guys do back when there were only Cinelli leather hairnets and such? Even my first Brancale foam helmet was about as protective as taping empty egg cartons to your head. The first Giro's were a little better. So after 30+ years of riding in every condition imaginable, do I feel the need to wear my fancy sparkly Giro Atmos on a 8 foot wide smooth as a baby's butt MUT? heck no
And to the lady yesterday on the MUT that felt the need to tell me that her uncle or nephew or whatever hit a "small pebble" and died because he wasn't wearing a helmet... sorry but he falls into the category of rare incident in my book. "You should buy a helmet." Yeah...
After all my years of road riding after my BMX days I still don't remember witnessing any major shots to the head on any club rides.
So what did you guys do back when there were only Cinelli leather hairnets and such? Even my first Brancale foam helmet was about as protective as taping empty egg cartons to your head. The first Giro's were a little better. So after 30+ years of riding in every condition imaginable, do I feel the need to wear my fancy sparkly Giro Atmos on a 8 foot wide smooth as a baby's butt MUT? heck no
And to the lady yesterday on the MUT that felt the need to tell me that her uncle or nephew or whatever hit a "small pebble" and died because he wasn't wearing a helmet... sorry but he falls into the category of rare incident in my book. "You should buy a helmet." Yeah...
People can make their own decision on using a helmet unless required by law.
Also, helmet prices range from $15 to $300. There is one for every budget.
Here are some facts about helmet use. https://www.bhsi.org/stats.htm
Two percent of motor vehicle-related deaths are bicyclists. The most serious injuries among a majority of those killed are to the head, highlighting the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet. Helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent.
Ninety-five percent of bicyclists killed in 2006 reportedly weren't wearing helmets
Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries.
A very high percentage of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet, estimated at anywhere from 45 to 88 per cent.
Direct costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $81 million each year, rising with health care costs.
Indirect costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $2.3 billion each year.
08-09-09, 05:55 PM
#50
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I like the "I've never hit my head before" arguments. They make me laugh.
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