Do you regularly wear a cycle helmet?

[NRG]

??? How can wearing a bike helmet lower the probability of having an accident or a serious injury? It does not compute....

 

[tillson]

A cycle helmet can't lower the probability of the accident occurring. What we want to influence is the outcome of the accident. A cycle helmet does offer some protection, how much is open to debate. Therefore, if you have a greater degree of protection by wearing a helmet, the probability of injury has to be lower. I don't know how much lower, that is another topic.

 

[smudger1956]

Tricky question that......
I regularly wear a helmet for commuting, a quick jolly to the shops about 3/4 mile away, 80% on cycle paths,20% surburban roads, I do not regulary wear a helmet......

 

[flecc]

That's exactly the point I made above Smudger, this sort of variability I think often applies.

Although I rode motorbikes helmetless for many years before road use helmets were even available, in competition I did wear the heavy ACU all steel helmet because the expectation of coming off was high then.

It shows that most apply judgment to the circumstances on whether to wear or not. I think only those who put on a helmet every time they mount a bike can really be called helmet wearers, since the common argument of wearers is that an accident can happen to anyone at any time.

 

[Mussels]

That's exactly the point I made above Smudger, this sort of variability I think often applies.

Although I rode motorbikes helmetless for many years before road use helmets were even available, in competition I did wear the heavy ACU all steel helmet because the expectation of coming off was high then.

It shows that most apply judgment to the circumstances on whether to wear or not. I think only those who put on a helmet every time they mount a bike can really be called helmet wearers, since the common argument of wearers is that an accident can happen to anyone at any time.

I think that only those who have never worn a helmet can be called helmet non-wearers. That sounds ludicrous but is just as valid as your statement.

 

[flecc]

But I qualified it by the final part, the common helmet wearer's contention about accidents happening at any time. It's that context which gives the statement validity, without the context it's nonsense of course.

 

[flecc]

A cycle helmet can't lower the probability of the accident occurring.

According to one oft quoted study, wearing a helmet increases one's chances of an accident if vehicle proximity means anything. This study showed that motorists drove much closer to helmet wearing cyclists but gave the widest berth (consideration?) to a long haired blonde (actually a man wearing a long blonde wig).

 

[Jimod]

but gave the widest berth (consideration?) to a long haired blonde (actually a man wearing a long blonde wig).

To be fair, I'd give a wide berth to a man wearing a blonde wig.

 

[hech]

Personally I always used to wear a helmet but after many nasty accidents I found that the cheap plastic they are made of was simply not up to the job. What is the point of wearing it if every time one lands on one's head the helmet breaks and needs replaced? Now I ride free and unfettered, no longer burdened by the cost of these ludicrous headcases.

 

[neptune]

To be fair, I'd give a wide berth to a man wearing a blonde wig.

The most notorious case of a man cycling whilst wearing a blonde wig, was the Cambridge Rapist. He was eventually caught by a Policeman knocking him off his bike when he failed to stop after being challenged. I don`t think a helmet would have helped him at that point.

 

[tillson]

The most notorious case of a man cycling whilst wearing a blonde wig, was the Cambridge Rapist. He was eventually caught by a Policeman knocking him off his bike when he failed to stop after being challenged. I don`t think a helmet would have helped him at that point.

The cop should have driven over his helmet. That would put an end to his activities.

 

[tillson]

What I say is that my judgment not to wear one has been historically 100% justified.

Or have you just been lucky not to have been involved in an accident where a helmet would have saved you?

The length of time over which that has been justified is relevant, since experience is one of the best ways of plugging the holes in your hypothetical Gruyere.

That's why insurance companies give no claims bonus relating to the length of period without claims, and why they prefer the older age groups to the youngsters. They know from the facts just how valuable long experience is.

Therefore I am also justified in saying that with each passing year of my long driving and riding experience, my likelyhood of having an accident has continuously reduced and is now at an all time low. Since that is de facto lower than the zero harmful accidents previously, my risk rating is miniscule.

The risk of an accident occurring where you introduce a contributory factor MAY have reduced. However, that is only part of the equation. Your risk of an accident occurring due to factors introduced by other people or other circumstances is beyond your control and may have increased.

All I am saying is that IF an accident happens, the out come of the accident can be tipped in your favour to some extent by wearing a helmet. Whether the amount of protection offered by a helmet justifies the inconvenience of wearing one is a personal choice and should remain just that, a personal choice.

 

[flecc]

Sorry Tillson, but incorrect on both counts.

First my judgment has been historically justified by the outcome, and the luck consequential to that is irrelevant to the fact. That fact is that my judgment that I would not be hurt has been sound.

Second, the actions of others is not entirely out of my control in a road accident context. Some patently put themselves into situations where they are more vulnerable to the mistakes of others, sometimes referred to as accident-prone. By not doing that I am exerting a control over the potential of others to harm me.

There is far more to this subject than meets the eye and if that was more widely accepted and acted upon, there would be fewer accidents. Being positive and applying primary safety measures instead of the fatalism of secondary safety and it's negative implications results in less accidents. It does not insure against any accidents of course, but less accidents is always a desirable target. The 66 years during which I've been cycling, motorcycling and driving without any harm befalling me and never claiming on my insurance transcends any possibility of this being due to "just being lucky". The odds in this world are never that favourable, my safety has predominantly been due to me making my own luck.

 

[Scimitar]

To be fair, I'd give a wide berth to a man wearing a blonde wig.

4/4 The Best Of Dave Allen...The Comedy Sketches - YouTube

 

[bode]

Do you regularly read threads about the pros and cons of cycle helmets?"

Yes, and it's boring me to tears...

 

[flecc]

Do you regularly read threads about the pros and cons of cycle helmets?"

Yes, and it's boring me to tears...

"The man who is bored with threads about the pros and cons of cycle helmets is bored with life".

With apologies to Samuel Johnson for misquoting.

 

[Cyclezee]

Do you regularly read threads about the pros and cons of cycle helmets?"

Yes, and it's boring me to tears...

Reading threads is not compulsory........Hmm, maybe it should be?

 

[bode]

Reading threads is not compulsory........Hmm, maybe it should be?

I do actually feel this strange compulsion. It's like banging your head on the wall; so nice when it stops.

 

[funkylyn]

I do actually feel this strange compulsion. It's like banging your head on the wall; so nice when it stops.

You see, Roger,thats why I tried to distract you all with Boris and Mrs T ( sshhhhh).....I was only trying to help

Boris or Helmets ? .....or Daddy or Chips ??... as the ad goes...

I also find banging your head on the wall is a good remedy for toothache coupled with keeping whisky held in your mouth over the tooth until ulceration !!!! ( Yes.....Im afraid I did once )

Maybe whisky combined with the head banging could be more of a help when you feel overcome with a strange compulsion again lol

Lynda

 

[Cyclezee]

I do actually feel this strange compulsion. It's like banging your head on the wall; so nice when it stops.

Roger,

May I suggest that in the interests of health and safety that you were a helmet when banging your head on walls and that the walls are not load bearing!