Cycle helmets debate

[musicbooks]

As I've always said before in this sterile debate, there is no end to these measures, so it's a path that should not be pursued.

Sorry Flecc, I've changed my mind. I have to agree with you. It is a sterile debate that goes nowhere.

However, on a more pragmatic note, can anyone recommend a decent cycle helmet that is both safe, fashionable (as if!!) and doesn't mess up my carefully procured D.A. ?
BW
musicbooks

 

[flecc]

can anyone recommend a decent cycle helmet that is both safe, fashionable (as if!!) and doesn't mess up my carefully procured D.A. ?
BW
musicbooks

Victorian gentlemen on penny-farthings used to wear top hats which are admirably suited to accommodating hair styling.

I don't know of any helmets that would definitely meet your needs, but some seem to sit very high on the crown of the head and they might do.
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[musicbooks]

Victorian gentlemen on penny-farthings used to wear top hats which are admirably suited to accommodating hair styling.

I don't know of any helmets that would definitely meet your needs, but some seem to sit very high on the crown of the head and they might do.
.

A reinforced top hat perhaps.. worried about the tails catching on the chain and as for the spats..forget it!
BW
musicbooks

 

[jimmyengland1000]

I have paid my national insurance since leaving school, never missed a days work for over 15 years, {touch wood}. The state is in debt to me for the large portion of cash I have had drained from my wage packet. I don't begrudge you or the entire legal population of these Islands hospital care if accidental or self inflicted. With this in mind if the fickle gods decide to reduce my fine coconut like skull into several pieces, I demand to be put back together if at all possible.

Yes, that's a good point, I suppose. Anyone who has worked for any length of time will, through one means or another, have paid huge amounts into the system, so I suppose it's not unreasonable to expect to get back what you've paid for in the event of an accident. I do agree with postings on this debate re life being hazardous and it does get on my nerves when people are completely obsessed by health and safety (usually in the fear of litigation)... I do know what Flecc (from the days of no crash helmets on motorcycles) means.... Maybe as a society we have become obsessed with safety and I do resent someone telling me I have to wear a motorcycle helmet (unless I'm a Sikh, in which case I'm exempt from this law....).

Having said that, I still keep thinking of my piece of wood test and it definitely hurts a lot more if I bash my head without the helmet on. It doesn't hurt at all if I'm wearing my helmet........ Finally (from me, at any rate..) I got my new helmet today and went out on my bike. It's light, not uncomfortable and I believe it to be protection, so I'll be wearing it from now on.

Enough said from me on this one folks! Honest, guv

 

[Tiberius]

I have a much more prosaic reason for wearing a helmet. After I fell off in December and hit my head, I got so much stick from my children that I couldn't risk doing it again. I am allowed to fly aeroplanes upside down, race hovercraft, climb trees, leap tall buildings and travel to disease ridden parts of the world, but I dare not fall off the bike without a helmet.

Does this bother me. Not really, and I probably won't use it absolutely every time. The point was made earlier about the difference between real and perceived risk. I won't go on about unnecessary risk, because that will lead to us all staying at home. But there is a difference between taking a risk in return for a benefit, and taking the risk for no return.

Nick

 

[Mandy]

I don't want to recycle old arguments but would just like to make a couple of points.

I agree with JimmyEngland that a helmet would probably provide some protection in almost any head impact. However, cycle helmets are designed to protect against hitting flat surfaces, particularly the ground, not against objects like posts. My guess is that hitting a post at 15mph might brake the helmet in half (it is only polystyrene) and your head would hit the post anyway.

I see your point but I think cycle helmets are designed to protect your head, regardless of surfaces. If the helmet were to break in half on impact with a post then the helmet would have taken most of the impact and hopefully you would end up with no more than a bump on your head.

At the end of the day it is down to personal choice at present and I don't doubt that some time in the future it will become law to wear one like with the motor cycle.

I wear one due to personal choice as I have a tricky road to ride on my way too and from work which results in cars, lorry's etc having no respect for a cyclist

Regards

Mandy

 

[flecc]

I wear one due to personal choice as I have a tricky road to ride on my way too and from work which results in cars, lorry's etc having no respect for a cyclist

Regards

Mandy

Mmmm. Lorry versus thin plastic cycle helmet?

Yes, that should teach the lorry a lesson.
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[keithhazel]

Mmmm. Lorry versus thin plastic cycle helmet?

Yes, that should teach the lorry a lesson.
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there is a method that does not require the helmet here...avoid the lorry

 

[flecc]

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there is a method that does not require the helmet here...avoid the lorry

Yes Keith, now that's my language, primary safety, don't have the accident in the first place.

That's where the thought and effort should be concentrated, not on fatalistic ideas that accidents are inevitable. They aren't.
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[Mandy]

Mmmm. Lorry versus thin plastic cycle helmet?

Yes, that should teach the lorry a lesson.
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Some protection is better than none and I challenge you to ride down my delightful road of which I have not got much choice.
I actually believe the cycle helmet may have saved lives so I don't think we should knock it? As I said: It is down to personal preference and this is just simply my choice and I am not preaching to anyone.

Regards

Mandy

 

[Mandy]

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there is a method that does not require the helmet here...avoid the lorry

Yes but will the lorry avoid the cyclist?

 

[Mandy]

Yes Keith, now that's my language, primary safety, don't have the accident in the first place.

That's where the thought and effort should be concentrated, not on fatalistic ideas that accidents are inevitable. They aren't.
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I am sorry but I have to disagree with your opinion in this scenario Flecc.
I did not state accidents are inevitable but they are certainly possible.
Accidents can happen regardless of how much a careful bike rider you are? You only need some idiot in a car or lorry to wipe out all of your safe riding in an instant
I am as optimistic as you are but accidents do happen and therefore I wear a helmet. However, I feel they should be more protective.
Kindest Regards
Mandy

 

[flecc]

I challenge you to ride down my delightful road of which I have not got much choice.

Regards

Mandy

I live on the edge of London so riding in heavy and fast traffic is the norm for me Mandy, I doubt your road would be any different from what I'm used to. I don't knock helmets without provocation, just wish those who wear them would just be content to do that and stop going on about it to those who don't.

This thread hadn't surfaced for a month before you unearthed it, so the "personal choice" you said doesn't wash with me.
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[Mandy]

I live on the edge of London so riding in heavy and fast traffic is the norm for me Mandy, I doubt your road would be any different from what I'm used to. I don't knock helmets without provocation, just wish those who wear them would just be content to do that and stop going on about it to those who don't.
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Hi Flecc
I only stated why I wear one and would certainly not preach and stated in my previous posts that it is a personal choice. I was only saying that it may be beneficial and it was up to the individual.

I am sorry if I offended you Flecc as it was unintentional

Mandy

 

[flecc]

It's not against the law Mandy, so no-one needs to be told it's personal choice, it's that anyway.

So I wonder why you dug this up, it seemed to be only to promote helmet wearing again since we don't need you to tell us it's personal choice. And that gets me annoyed, it's no-ones business to lecture me or anyone on the suitability of helmet wearing.

I'm happy for you to wear the helmet, I just don't want to hear the propaganda.
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[Mandy]

It's not against the law Mandy, so no-one needs to be told it's personal choice, it's that anyway.

So I wonder why you dug this up, it seemed to be only to promote helmet wearing again since we don't need you to tell us it's personal choice. And that gets me annoyed, it's no-ones business to lecture me or anyone on the suitability of helmet wearing.

I'm happy for you to wear the helmet, I just don't want to hear the propaganda.
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Sorry Flecc, but I did not "dig this up" as you put it and just simply navigated through the posts and I certainly did not want to upset anyone. I did not lecture anyone and simply said I wore one. Please re-check my posts and tell me that I have actually lectured anyone? I did not
It is up to the individual.
Mandy

 

[nigel]

Yes i feel the same as flecc at the moment thank goodness it is still down to personal choice i choose not to wear one that is my right untill they change the law so please less of the preaching.nigel.

 

[mk1]

I think you are being a bit harsh on Mandy, she was just adding her opinion to this thread. This is the first time she has commented on this subject as far as I know.

You should all remember not everyone has been on the forum from the beginning, so what seems old hat to some might be new to others.

 

[Citrus]

I wear a helmet on longer journeys because it keeps my bald shaved head warmer that without one, plus I think it makes me look faster If I was to fall off it might protect my head, but I am sure if a car/bus/lorry hit me the helmet would make next to no difference. I just make sure I don't fall off or get hit by vehicles. Years of motorcycle riding has made me a defensive rider. Also, I couldn't care less whether or not anyone else wears a helmet or not, and I certainly do not want any legislation enforcing it as I like to ride bald sometimes

 

[burncycle]

everyone should at least wear a helmet when riding on busy roads or town areas. Despite having a thick skull, the majority of damage caused to your brain is not the severity of a impact but generally any impact.
These impacts may not cause dramatic injuries, but they do cause some degree of injury all the same.
The effect cannot be realized sometimes for many years to come medically.
Wearing a helmet will always lower any impact you may get !

I reassert my last posting regarding this issue.
Your brain is the most important thing in your body and you should treat it like the crown jewels.