Bike helmets

Johno100

MEM62 wrote: »

It should still be a matter of choice.

We are all adults. We can assess risk and consequences and we have the right to decide what level of risk we are prepared to accept. It is not for any legislative body to decide this for us.

I am strongly opposed to any legislation of this nature.

As I said in my first post on this thread, I think it should be down to personal choice.

But I do think a lot of the oppostion from mass cycling proponents is based on the idea that anything that may put someone off taking to a bike is automatically a bad thing.

spadoosh

Johno100 wrote: »

As I said in my first post on this thread, I think it should be down to personal choice.

But I do think a lot of the oppostion from mass cycling proponents is based on the idea that anything that may put someone off taking to a bike is automatically a bad thing.

Look at the studies, their suggestion is that enforcing people to wear helmets would have a negative impact overall. The health benefits of cycling (people living longer) outweighs the risks incurred by not wearing a helmet.

More bikes = less deaths on the roads. Loving all the concern that motorists have for me, just a shame not everyone cares so much when actually out on the roads.

Johno100

Tyler119 wrote: »

Got to thank everyone for the comments so far, I've enjoyed them all and found the discussion rather civilised...which makes a lovely change.

In the following video, I have no opinion on driver or cyclist...I only know it made me and the other half laugh out loud for what seemed a week....

https://youtu.be/6fKof31u-2o

Not sure of the relevance to the subject matter at hand, this is probably more appropriate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhZL256zUc4

Johno100

spadoosh wrote: »

Look at the studies, their suggestion is that enforcing people to wear helmets would have a negative impact overall. The health benefits of cycling (people living longer) outweighs the risks incurred by not wearing a helmet.

Thank you for the perfect example of what I was referring to. I suppose even if tomorrow a definitive study was published tomorrow that showed helmet wearing could prevent or substantially lessen head trauma you'd still be opposed because some possible converts might be put off because of helmet hair or the fear they'd look a wally?

JP08

Personally - when it comes to the cycle helmet I tend to balance risk with convenience.


In practice that means when I cycle to the shops / station I don't wear the helmet as it is an additional em!!!!!!ance to carry round, but for leisure rides which tends to be a little quicker and a bit less close to civilisation I wear one.


I do recognise, however, that the riskier rides are probably the shop/station ones ... more traffic and more curbs etc.

spadoosh

Johno100 wrote: »

Thank you for the perfect example of what I was referring to. I suppose even if tomorrow a definitive study was published tomorrow that showed helmet wearing could prevent or substantially lessen head trauma you'd still be opposed because some possible converts might be put off because of helmet hair or the fear they'd look a wally?

I was actually pointing out that theirs a genuine fear that youre more likely to be involved in an accident simply for wearing a helmet. Thats what cyclists have to deal with the fact that simply by wearing a helmet motorists think its acceptable to take more risks when overtaking. Its ludicrous.

I do wear a helmet (ive mentioned it a few times in this thread). However have been told by pro cyclists and some chief high up in brain surgery that they are for all intents and purposes pointless. The pro cyclist chose not to wear one (not sure if the dr dude was a cyclist). Yet youl find those like me who do prefer to wear one and was majorly thankful i do when i couldve cracked my head open.

I dont oppose compulsory bike lights and reflectors but when the evidence suggest you put yourself more at risk of an accident by wearing a helmet your argument becomes invalid.

JP08

Johno100 wrote: »

Thank you for the perfect example of what I was referring to. I suppose even if tomorrow a definitive study was published tomorrow that showed helmet wearing could prevent or substantially lessen head trauma you'd still be opposed because some possible converts might be put off because of helmet hair or the fear they'd look a wally?

The day we get a definitive study I'll eat my cycling helmet ! And I regard getting a Max Headroom (google him if you were too young to stay up in 1985) effect as a sign that sufficient exercise has been accomplished ...

facade

spadoosh wrote: »

I was actually pointing out that theirs a genuine fear that youre more likely to be involved in an accident simply for wearing a helmet. Thats what cyclists have to deal with the fact that simply by wearing a helmet motorists think its acceptable to take more risks when overtaking. Its ludicrous.

That is from the same camp that suggest that abolishing seatbelts and airbags, and fitting a 6" spike to the centre of the steering wheel would make drivers actually take some care and reduce accidents.

I tend to agree :D

wongataa

cjdavies wrote: »

When yu drive through streets/built up areas, you will see many casual bikers just ride out of junctions etc.

I need to get a dash cam.

When riding my bike and driving my car I see many more cars/vans/buses jump red lights and shoot out of junctions without looking. Some people are idiots whatever mode of transport they use.

Retrogamer

This would maybe be better in the cycling forums.

I don't wear a helmet when cycling on the roads. Only on dangerous sections of off road.

There are dozens of studies out there that have concluded that wearing a helmet can increase the risk of serious injury or death through indirect means.
I.e motorists have been shown to give cyclists who wear helmets less space than those who don't meaning the chance of being hit by a car is greater.
Or the cyclist feels more protected so will sometimes subconsciously take more risks than someone that has no helmet and feels more vulnerable.

I don't wear them all the time because they cause me to overheat (i'm quite overweight) and the straps always cause chafing under my chin and around the kneck. If i loosen it so they don't then it might fall off and it's useless anyway.

I sometimes wear headphones when cycling as well. Means if i'm chatting to someone on the hands free kit then it's safer, or if i'm listening to music i usually only keep in the nearside headphone and pop out the offside one.

To be fair if a car is coming towards me and is going to run into me from a direction that i can't see it, hearing it is going to do little to benefit me.