Helmet Question

spen666
spen666 Posts: 17,709
edited April 2009 in Commuting chat
No- not wanting to ignite the debate about the need or not to ride a helmet,but....

Can anyone give a good reason why so many people seem to ride with helmets hanging from their handlebars?

Is it
a) because they will stop and put the helmet on just before they are going to have an accident
b) having a helmet will protect you if you don't wear it
c)they can't make their mind up
d) any other suggestion- the more far fetched the better


I could understand it if it was kids doing it because their parent has made them take a helmet, but these I see are adults commuting to work or at least riding in rush hour
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Comments

  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    1) They like the syncopated beats it makes as it rattles around?
    2) It stops awkward 'why don't you wear a helmet?' conversations at either end of the journey

    I favour option 1
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  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    It's to give sarcastic posters on message boards a reason to get up in the morning.
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  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    spen666 wrote:

    Can anyone give a good reason why so many people seem to ride with helmets hanging from their handlebars?

    This is really simple to explain.

    It has been scientifically proven in a experiment performed by students in New Zealand that cars are more liking to give more room from to a helmet swinging from the handlebars. If they pass too closely said helmet may damage the car. Think spikes on the wheels of chariots. It's a defensive measure.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    It's hot and they don't want sweaty hair?
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Fakengers have gone 'hard cor'e in their attempts at a fashion statements?
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    3) Handlebars suffer from rotational injuries and need to be protected in the event of a crash
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
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  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Heads expand when the weather is hot and the helmet only fits in the morning when the tempreture is usually colder than the evening.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    There was a racoon in the helmet as they put it on and after fighting the racoon out of the helmet they've opted not to wear it until they've gotten home to wash it as that's just minging.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Maybe it's just too whiffy?

    Apparently helmets get smelly. Mine isn't (...yet) but my workmates' are grim enough that when they put their head down for more grunt power, the air blows in the helmet, down the face, and apparently stinks. Niiiccceeeee!
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    It's because their partner insists they wear a helmet, and then in an act of rebelion akin to you typical teenager they take it off when they get to the end of the road. Just another example of the way in which cycling keeps you young :wink:

    Other possible reasons

    1. Hanging baskets for flowers. Bound to be the next must have fashion accesory for any discerning hybrid owner.
    2. Something to bang their knee against whilst cycling, a kind of crude cadence sensor
    3. They've just knicked the bike complete with helmet from outside the nearest newsagents, and are trying to appear inconspicuous by cycling with a nonchalent air rather than pedaling like f*%$
    4. They have a desire to hook the nearest ped, thus catapaulting themselves over the bars
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

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  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    sarajoy wrote:
    Maybe it's just too whiffy?

    Apparently helmets get smelly. Mine isn't (...yet) but my workmates' are grim enough that when they put their head down for more grunt power, the air blows in the helmet, down the face, and apparently stinks. Niiiccceeeee!
    Erm. Tell them to wash the removable pads occasionally... :roll:
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Well I asked if that wasn't possible - but I checked my own helmet and indeed the pads look like they'd rip upon trying to get them out.

    Mind you, over a sink with some suds and a tap, it couldn't be too hard anyway, right?
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • Christophe3967
    Christophe3967 Posts: 1,200
    Obviously, they need something to carry their gloves, lights etc in when they arrive at their destination. :)
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  • robmanic1
    robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    sarajoy wrote:
    Apparently helmets get smelly.


    Anyone? Surely??
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    It is a simple case of aerodynamic efficiency......
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Maybe they carry their breakfast in it. Or maybe it's so their helmet cam has a more exciting world view.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Robmanic1 wrote:
    sarajoy wrote:
    Apparently helmets get smelly.
    Anyone? Surely??
    Naughty!
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    edited April 2009
    Dang, double-post
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Robmanic1 wrote:
    sarajoy wrote:
    Apparently helmets get smelly.


    Anyone? Surely??

    Too easy and obvious...
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Robmanic1 wrote:
    sarajoy wrote:
    Apparently helmets get smelly.


    Anyone? Surely??

    Not biting...

    :shock:

    Perhaps they're going for the David Cameron look:

    DavidC360_307071a.jpg
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    It was the helmet dwelling racoon.

    That or maybe they use the helmet to carry and transport cheese, cheddar to be precise. If they put the helmet on with cheese underneath said helmet they would leave themselves open to getting cheddar head. No one wants that.... :?
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • _Brun_
    _Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    Cameron carries his because he needs a heavy, immovable object to 'secure' his bike to when he nips into Waitrose.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    _Brun_ wrote:
    Cameron carries his because he needs a heavy, immovable object to 'secure' his bike to when he nips into Waitrose.

    :lol::lol:
  • spen666
    spen666 Posts: 17,709
    jashburnham wrote:
    Robmanic1 wrote:
    sarajoy wrote:
    Apparently helmets get smelly.


    Anyone? Surely??

    Not biting...

    :shock:

    I should hope not, it would be painful if you did
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  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    spen666 wrote:
    jashburnham wrote:
    Robmanic1 wrote:
    sarajoy wrote:
    Apparently helmets get smelly.


    Anyone? Surely??

    Not biting...

    :shock:

    I should hope not, it would be painful if you did

    Come on Spen, speed up fella!
  • prj45
    prj45 Posts: 2,208
    spen666 wrote:
    No- not wanting to ignite the debate about the need or not to ride a helmet,but....

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