"Where's your helmet?"

novembercp

Do people yell this at you all the time when you cycle without one?

Here in Cork they do - especially my work colleagues! Good replies would "where's your bike" or even "get your stupid big car out of the city centre and lose that fat arse of yours" Never think of that at the time though. Hmmm... very tempted to send the latter message to the Merc/BMW/other 2litre car drivers who sit near me. Actually, many here think helmets are compulsory

BentMikey

Silly blighters!

secretsam

What's wrong with "2 litre" cars? (Mine's a 1.9, but size doesn't matter I'm told )

novembercp

SecretSam wrote:

What's wrong with "2 litre" cars? (Mine's a 1.9, but size doesn't matter I'm told )

I'm referring to a group of people i.e. "the Merc/BMW/other 2litre car drivers who sit near me" and the attitudes I know they hold (based on talking to them every day).

I personally don't see the point of these people driving these cars 2 miles or less within the city (which they do, again I'm referring to a specific group of people).

secretsam

Gotcha, know the type... :roll:

Cyclegent

I've never had that actually shouted at me in London, but I do sometimes get it from people I meet socially when they see me getting on my bike. Usually rather timid middle class women who don't cycle themselves. I can't be bothered to go into the pros and cons anymore so usually just say 'I'll try not to fall off' which usually raises a laugh (or an expression of horror - both are amusing!)

novembercp

I do wear one myself most of the time, no major objection to it but some road users seem to think it's the only factor contributing to cycling safety. I do drove a car as well.

whome

If they are a safety feature at all (highly disputed) they are against a danger that is mostly created by the ones shouting at you (in your case).

However, I don't have a handy retort for you - perhaps a resigned shake of the head, or "why?".

orienteer

"Where's yours?": more deaths and injuries would be prevented by vehicle occupants wearing helmets - not to mention pedestrians!

mailmannz

Im often left asking this exact same question when Im out cycling when someone rides by without a helmet.

Then again, its probably a "cultural" thing where its been compulsory in NZ for years to have to wear a helmet when cycling.

The other good thing though was during the freewheel ride last weekend, probably a good 90% of adults and perhaps as much as 99% of children were wearing helmets during the bike ride.

So it seems that those who ride without helmets are a definate minority and probably the sooner this bunch disappears the better

Mailman

Gussio

orienteer wrote:

"Where's yours?": more deaths and injuries would be prevented by vehicle occupants wearing helmets - not to mention pedestrians!

Not strictly speaking true. The weight of a helmet on your head in a car crash exacerbates whiplash and increases the likelihood of serious neck injury.

There are already plenty of helmets on the pavements

hamboman

mailmannz wrote:

Im often left asking this exact same question when Im out cycling when someone rides by without a helmet.

Then again, its probably a "cultural" thing where its been compulsory in NZ for years to have to wear a helmet when cycling.

The other good thing though was during the freewheel ride last weekend, probably a good 90% of adults and perhaps as much as 99% of children were wearing helmets during the bike ride.

So it seems that those who ride without helmets are a definate minority and probably the sooner this bunch disappears the better

Mailman

Why can't people mind there own business? Those who don't want to wear a helmet - that's their call. Would you shout at someone walking in the rain without an umbrella?!

WyS

my helmet is in my pants, have no need for a second.

danielhynes

I have just moved over to London (from Australia) and can't believe the argument of wearing/not wearing a helmet is still going on! Anyone who believes its safe not to wear a helmet is just fooling themselves.

You only have to read about one case where a helmet has saved a life (and my doctor friend can recite many) to convince yourself that riding without a helmet is dicing with death.

I ride competitively on the road as well as commute every day to work and have had my fair share of spills. And the helmet has definitely saved me from more serious injuries.

Plus studies that show wearing a helmet does not significantly reduce the cyclists death or serious injury rate are missing the point. It only takes one case (where is saves a life) for it to be worthwhile.

Don't risk it. Wear a helmet

hamboman

danielhynes wrote:

I have just moved over to London (from Australia) and can't believe the argument of wearing/not wearing a helmet is still going on! Anyone who believes its safe not to wear a helmet is just fooling themselves.

You only have to read about one case where a helmet has saved a life (and my doctor friend can recite many) to convince yourself that riding without a helmet is dicing with death.

I ride competitively on the road as well as commute every day to work and have had my fair share of spills. And the helmet has definitely saved me from more serious injuries.

Plus studies that show wearing a helmet does not significantly reduce the cyclists death or serious injury rate are missing the point. It only takes one case (where is saves a life) for it to be worthwhile.

Don't risk it. Wear a helmet

Sigh.. read the other threads on this. The point is, there might be times when a helmet actually causes death or serious injury. Check the research before spouting unsupported waffle. http://www.cyclehelmets.org/ The evidence IS NOT THERE to support helmet use - don't take my word for it, take the word of independent researchers with the big picture rather than individual anecdotes.

novembercp

hamboman wrote:

mailmannz wrote:

Im often left asking this exact same question when Im out cycling when someone rides by without a helmet.

Then again, its probably a "cultural" thing where its been compulsory in NZ for years to have to wear a helmet when cycling.

The other good thing though was during the freewheel ride last weekend, probably a good 90% of adults and perhaps as much as 99% of children were wearing helmets during the bike ride.

So it seems that those who ride without helmets are a definate minority and probably the sooner this bunch disappears the better

Mailman

Why can't people mind there own business? Those who don't want to wear a helmet - that's their call. Would you shout at someone walking in the rain without an umbrella?!

That's what I was getting at

danielhynes

I argue there is NO eveidence that support non-helment use. The research I read (including on www.cyclehelments.org) only attacks the evidence about the effectiveness of helmets. I have never read research that claims that helmets should be banned as they increase the rate of serious injury or death.

BentMikey

mailmannz wrote:

The other good thing though was during the freewheel ride last weekend, probably a good 90% of adults and perhaps as much as 99% of children were wearing helmets during the bike ride.

Ignorance is bliss. If you knew how there's plenty of evidence showing that helmets don't work, you might not have so much faith.

danielhynes wrote:

I have just moved over to London (from Australia) and can't believe the argument of wearing/not wearing a helmet is still going on! Anyone who believes its safe not to wear a helmet is just fooling themselves.

From the very continent where some of the most compelling evidence comes that cycle helmets don't work.

You guys need to read up on www.cyclehelmets.org and discover for yourselves that the helmet case is far from decided. You might also realise that most cycling is nowhere near dangerous enough to actually need head protection in the first place.

hamboman

danielhynes wrote:

I argue there is NO eveidence that support non-helment use. The research I read (including on www.cyclehelments.org) only attacks the evidence about the effectiveness of helmets. I have never read research that claims that helmets should be banned as they increase the rate of serious injury or death.

Fair point.

But there's also the perceived risk factor that causes motorists to drive more dangerously if you wear one - check out the other threads on this.

redddraggon

I'm under the belief that if my head hits the floor when I come off a bike (by any way) that I'll be better off wearing the helmet than not. I know theres a few reasons for not wearing a helmet but I just think that I'm (me personally) better off wearing one.

Whatever people think about a cycle helmet making it more dangerous, perhaps it does, but I think the added impact protection is worth it.

Clever Pun

hamboman wrote:

danielhynes wrote:

I argue there is NO eveidence that support non-helment use. The research I read (including on www.cyclehelments.org) only attacks the evidence about the effectiveness of helmets. I have never read research that claims that helmets should be banned as they increase the rate of serious injury or death.

Fair point.

But there's also the perceived risk factor that causes motorists to drive more dangerously if you wear one - check out the other threads on this.

Are you saying drivers are more like @ssholes if you wear a helmet? sh!t I'm glad if they see me let along work out I'm wearing a helmet

lost-time

I've worn a helmet for cycling be it commuting, racing or MTBing. A few months back i was knocked off my bike by a reversing car (long story). My helmet cracked when I came down onto the tarmac and once peiced back together you can easily see where it absobed the impact. (Just above my right ear). I jus got a few cuts and bruises on my arm, shoulder and face. Going by the dent on the helmet it clearly shows it performed well and did what it was meant to do...spread out the force of the impact.

Now, the Doc and all who know me said I was extremely lucky not to be seriously hurt. Especially in the head department.

If one single person here can honestly say that not wearing a helmet would have reduced my injuries significantly than I quite happily never wear a helmet again....!

BentMikey

It probably did save you from minor injuries, but did it save you from serious head injury? The evidence would seem not, but no-one can tell for sure.

lost-time

BentMikey wrote:

It probably did save you from minor injuries....

Well for me and my riding style, (commuting on/off road and agressive XC ) that is a damn good enough reason to continue wearing one as even 'minor' injuries are worth preventing...

Mikey Mouse

BentMikey wrote:

It probably did save you from minor injuries, but did it save you from serious head injury? The evidence would seem not, but no-one can tell for sure.

I know this may be what you wont like to hear but perhaps sometimes helmets do do a job.

I dont really know what your problem is but you are so negative when it comes down to helmets and hi vis stuff perhaps it is something from your childhood as you are in so much denial half the time.

Your statement above read it,it's ridiculous.

peejay78

who cares? really?

file under "RLJ and other cliched threads that appear regularly on cycle forums"

gilbert_by_proxy

novembercp wrote:

I personally don't see the point of these people driving these cars 2 miles or less within the city (which they do, again I'm referring to a specific group of people).

I work with someone that lives 300m from the works entrance and still drives. In winter it takes him longer to scrape the ice off his car than travelling time.

alan_sherman

I dont really know what your problem is but you are so negative when it comes down to helmets and hi vis stuff perhaps it is something from your childhood as you are in so much denial half the time.

Stop it before it decends into personal insults! Mikey has good, argued points. They may be different views to yours but that is the way of the world. People have different views and there is vey little in the world that is as absolute as we might like. The evidence for and against helmet wearing is not conclusive either way, so the decision to wear a helmet is a personal choice. Respect others' choices. Others should respect yours too.

Mikey Mouse

I would just like to see some of this evidence and not harping on all the time that.

1) I dont wear a helmet blah blah blah
2) I dont wear hi-vis it's useless blah blah blah

It really gets on my tits.

Helmets have prevented people from perhaps serious injury although they haven't for me and I hope it doesn't come to that.

CarlosFerreiro

Gussio wrote:

orienteer wrote:

"Where's yours?": more deaths and injuries would be prevented by vehicle occupants wearing helmets - not to mention pedestrians!

Not strictly speaking true. The weight of a helmet on your head in a car crash exacerbates whiplash and increases the likelihood of serious neck injury.

Maybe.....
Has their been any serious research on the benefits of lightweight helmets for people in cars?

Formula1 drivers have to deal with the neck issues, presumably because in the balance the helmet has more pluses than minuses. How about at road legal speeds?

it's certainly true that more serious head injuries are suffered by people in cars than by people on bikes.......

Gambatte

Mikey Mouse wrote:

I would just like to see some of this evidence and not harping on all the time that.

I believe there's 2 links above pointing you to some of the evidence.

(BTW, I'm pro helmet)