Benefits of wearing a helmet

[Mad Doug Biker]

I have LONG worn a helmet and wouldn't feel right without one.

In rain, I find it is better that wearing a hood or a hat, and what's more, the heat generated from ones head helps to evaporate the rain that does get through the gaps. (With a hat, I'd simply over heat, but not with a helmet).

It has NOTHING to do with me being led wide eyed up the path by all the Nanny State Bull that some posters on here would have you beleive.

No, to me, it's perfectly simple - when you cycle along at speed, and fall off, it hurts, ergo, if you fall off and bang your head, then.... well, I'll let you work out the rest.

What's more, it is no skin off my nose if you don't want to wear a helmet, but what does irritate me is all the smug people on here saying that it's all down to what's in the press, etc, and we all such a bunch of sheep.
Sorry, but what a load of BullSt.

By the way I am aware of the problems with the fact that when wearing a helmet your head is physically bigger, but that wasn't the point here.

 

[hackbike 666]

Agree mad doug.

 

[dondare]

I have LONG worn a helmet and wouldn't feel right without one.

In rain, I find it is better that wearing a hood or a hat, and what's more, the heat generated from ones head helps to evaporate the rain that does get through the gaps. (With a hat, I'd simply over heat, but not with a helmet).

It has NOTHING to do with me being led wide eyed up the path by all the Nanny State Bull that some posters on here would have you beleive.

No, to me, it's perfectly simple - when you cycle along at speed, and fall off, it hurts, ergo, if you fall off and bang your head, then.... well, I'll let you work out the rest.

What's more, it is no skin off my nose if you don't want to wear a helmet, but what does irritate me is all the smug people on here saying that it's all down to what's in the press, etc, and we all such a bunch of sheep.
Sorry, but what a load of BullSt.

By the way I am aware of the problems with the fact that when wearing a helmet your head is physically bigger, but that wasn't the point here.

There is a common view that cyclists-should-wear-helmets that has more to do with what people have read rather than any assessment of the actual need to wear one.

 

[AnotherEye]

... it is no skin off my nose if you don't want to wear a helmet ...

I hav'nt seen a helmet that will cover my nose.

 

[StuartG]

If it's a basic cycling skill, then it's hardly dangerous.

The two do not necessarily equate.

I'm probably more experienced than you but if I was progressing at night down Reigate Hill at, say, 30 mph I would not ordinarily glance over my shoulder to maintain my knowledge of the roadscape behind.

Why? Because the greatest real danger in that case is being caught by a rut (or by a catseye as in a recent FNRttC). A glance behind would be enough to miss or avoid the rut. Also with my head turned around my balance is compromised - the cochlea and visual horizons that we use are nastily offset with unpredictable results hence recovery from an unexpected deflection may be compromised.

That is but one example. When pulling out on a busy road then the concentration has to be focussed on that road and not behind. That you will have checked out visually beforehand but you will be relying on sound and mirrors to monitor any change.

I think you would probably instinctively do much the same - since with most people are unaware of just how much they use sound as well as vision. It is just in training my deaf daughter (with blown cochleas) to ride that I had to think through these issues.

Conversely when I'm driving I still look over my shoulder before I manoeuvre despite mirrors. An action that usually marks out the driver as a biker or rider too.

So please don't be so dogmatic on the use of one sense when safety is the optimum integration of all (including the sixth) sense. Using one to feed another is the safer way to ride IMHO.

BTW have you ever tried to ride straight across an empty playground whilst looking the other way ... ?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

There is a common view that cyclists-should-wear-helmets that has more to do with what people have read rather than any assessment of the actual need to wear one.

I just wear one as I don't want to hurt myself if I can avoid it, simple really.

Anyway, instead of sitting about arguing about it, why don't we set up a test to find out, a la Brainiac style!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I hav'nt seen a helmet that will cover my nose.

I'm trying to think of some terrible nose - based Pun here, but oddly enough, I can't

 

[BentMikey]

Nice shift in your argument there, Stuart...

 

[Mark82]

I have LONG worn a helmet and wouldn't feel right without one.

In rain, I find it is better that wearing a hood or a hat, and what's more, the heat generated from ones head helps to evaporate the rain that does get through the gaps. (With a hat, I'd simply over heat, but not with a helmet).

It has NOTHING to do with me being led wide eyed up the path by all the Nanny State Bull that some posters on here would have you beleive.

No, to me, it's perfectly simple - when you cycle along at speed, and fall off, it hurts, ergo, if you fall off and bang your head, then.... well, I'll let you work out the rest.

What's more, it is no skin off my nose if you don't want to wear a helmet, but what does irritate me is all the smug people on here saying that it's all down to what's in the press, etc, and we all such a bunch of sheep.
Sorry, but what a load of BullSt.

By the way I am aware of the problems with the fact that when wearing a helmet your head is physically bigger, but that wasn't the point here.

''HERE HERE''

and my 2p about turning my head to see over my shoulder, if i was to look over my shoulder and wobble all over the road........ BAD TIMES......... if i look over and stay in some sort of stright line... GOOD TIMES..... oh yea and its safer simple really??? i dont drive(and i dont want to open up a whole new can of worms saying this) but it wouldnt be safe if you was wobbling all over the road when not having your eyes pionting forward..... again someone has taken offence to been told wobbling all over the road is not safe...... carry on wobbling and i bet im riding for a lot longer than you are.....

 

[dondare]

I just wear one as I don't want to hurt myself if I can avoid it, simple really.

Anyway, instead of sitting about arguing about it, why don't we set up a test to find out, a la Brainiac style!

OK, I'll do my usual ride without a helmet and you do your usual ride with a helmet and we'll see who suffers the most serious head injury.

 

[dondare]

The two do not necessarily equate.

I'm probably more experienced than you but if I was progressing at night down Reigate Hill at, say, 30 mph I would not ordinarily glance over my shoulder to maintain my knowledge of the roadscape behind.

Why? Because the greatest real danger in that case is being caught by a rut (or by a catseye as in a recent FNRttC). A glance behind would be enough to miss or avoid the rut. Also with my head turned around my balance is compromised - the cochlea and visual horizons that we use are nastily offset with unpredictable results hence recovery from an unexpected deflection may be compromised.

That is but one example. When pulling out on a busy road then the concentration has to be focussed on that road and not behind. That you will have checked out visually beforehand but you will be relying on sound and mirrors to monitor any change.

I think you would probably instinctively do much the same - since with most people are unaware of just how much they use sound as well as vision. It is just in training my deaf daughter (with blown cochleas) to ride that I had to think through these issues.

Conversely when I'm driving I still look over my shoulder before I manoeuvre despite mirrors. An action that usually marks out the driver as a biker or rider too.

So please don't be so dogmatic on the use of one sense when safety is the optimum integration of all (including the sixth) sense. Using one to feed another is the safer way to ride IMHO.

BTW have you ever tried to ride straight across an empty playground whilst looking the other way ... ?

Stay focused. This is that rare beast, a helmet thread.

 

[buddha]

My helmet saved me!!!
Well, it cushioned my head when my d-lock fell from the railings it was perched on whilst I adjusted my panniers.

 

[Ranger]

Blimey, is this still going. Come back room 101

 

[Mark82]

My helmet saved me!!!
Well, it cushioned my head when my d-lock fell from the railings it was perched on whilst I adjusted my panniers.

and its the little things too...lol, that would have hurt if it wasnt for your ''met''... job done

 

[StuartG]

Nice shift in your argument there, Stuart...

Eh? You equated two things. I specifically argued against it. Shift?


You also responded to my previous points with a 'nonsense' but went on to argue something completely different. Surely a shift and a refusal to discuss the subject in hand?

Pots & things. Good night.