Benefits of wearing a helmet

[gaz]

Actually looking behind is dangerous. It unbalances you a little and it takes you view of the upcoming traffic and potholes. I have seen people crash simply doing it.

Which is why many people only do it when necessary (which, of course, includes before any manoeuvre). They rely on a mirror or hearing to anticipate danger from the rear or to plan for a manoeuvre. They then check it out for real by glancing over the shoulder. Safety is about balancing risks.

As as someone just intimated - there is a lot of unbalanced risky talk here!

On this stretch of road which i commute on, i look behind me for 90% of the time, as i'm going at 50% of the traffic speed and it's very busy, as i know the road ahead is VERY unlikely to be blocked and i know where the pot holes are, i only need to glance forward every few seconds. I do this because i've had some very close pass's from behind where vehicles are traveling way above the speed limit and they give me next to no room and i'm blown towards the pavement. I can do this because i can cycle in a near straight line whilst looking backwards, it's not that hard, it only takes practise.

 

[darth vadar]

If all those Tour de France riders have to wear helmets (its probably the rules), but, if its good enough for them then its good enough for me.

And they don't have to compete with potholes and mad car drivers!!!

Isn't it just common sense really?

 

[ianrauk]

Yes it's the rules and I would imagine if they have a choice (like we do) then most would not wear one.

If all those Tour de France riders have to wear helmets (its probably the rules), but, if its good enough for them then its good enough for me.

And they don't have to compete with potholes and mad car drivers!!!

Isn't it just common sense really?

 

[HLaB]

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

I take it your being sarcastic when you say rare, this is the umpteenth thread in a few days

 

[dondare]

It's important that we get this helmet controversy laid to rest once and for all. Never mind the look-behind; onward! Forward! Upward! Helmets!

 

[hackbike 666]

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.

Mike is always right.

 

[ufkacbln]

If all those Tour de France riders have to wear helmets (its probably the rules), but, if its good enough for them then its good enough for me.

And they don't have to compete with potholes and mad car drivers!!!

Isn't it just common sense really?

If all those Grand Prix / Rally Drivers have to wear helmets (its probably the rules), but, if its good enough for them is it good enough for you?

And they don't have to compete with other traffic, junctions, crossroads etc.

Isn't it just common sense really?


Proof why helmets for vehicle occupants should be considered?

 

[ferret fur]

It's important that we get this helmet controversy laid to rest once and for all. Never mind the look-behind; onward! Forward! Upward! Helmets!

or not

 

[gaz]

It's important that we get this helmet controversy laid to rest once and for all. Never mind the look-behind; onward! Forward! Upward! Helmets!

TBH... who really cares about the helmets, either you wear one or you don't. When i've ridden or if i see people that don't ride with helmets, i don't go preaching to them about why they should wear one, just like they don't go preaching to me about why i shouldn't. It's personal choice, like weather you use cleats or not.

[/rant] *not aimed at you dondare, your post just fuelled my fire

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

[/rant] *not aimed at you dondare,

It is, it is!!

 

[darth vadar]

I wonder whether the opinions of people who object to wearing helmets might change if either they themselves, or one of their nearest and dearest was badly injured due to bashing their head of the pavement?

 

[StuartG]

I wonder whether the opinions of people who object to wearing helmets might change if either they themselves, or one of their nearest and dearest was badly injured due to bashing their head of the pavement?

Well actually I did bash my head quite badly against a bollard protecting the local cycle lane last year. I wasn't wearing a helmet as I was running not cycling. A beautiful example of how a Southwark 'safety feature' became a hazard!

Lots of blood, because head abrasions do gush, and some even paler club runners looking on. Does that mean I, or they, now even consider wearing a helmet when running (and mine wasn't the first fall in the club) No. Is that kinda strange?

These debates appear to be more culture than risk based IMHO.

 

[MacB]

I wonder whether the opinions of people who object to wearing helmets might change if either they themselves, or one of their nearest and dearest was badly injured due to bashing their head of the pavement?

I think this argument can be applied to a far more serious, and pressing, issue, running with scissors. The fact that people still keep scissors at home, some of them not even under lock and key, is a great worry. Even a well trained adult finds the urge to grab them and run, when presented with a pair of scissors, almost irresistable, let alone the children. Though public awareness of the dangers of running with scissors appears to be at an all time high, the calls for a scissor ban fall on deaf ears. Obviously some of those are only deaf due to scissor related incidents so some tact should be exercised here.

Talk about helmets is a diversion as they're particularly ineffective in scissor/speed events.

 

[Keith Oates]

You're sharp tonight, MacB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ashtrayhead]

You're sharp tonight, MacB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another cutting remark!