Has your helmet saved your life poll

[Pedrosanchezo]

How many of the bicycle/motorcycle riders were actually cyclists? That's two very different activities.

Based on your self-reported cycling injuries I'd say you've been careless and unlucky. I've gone getting on for 30,000 miles of cycling since my last injury.

Define careless? 20mph down hill? 30mph? 40mph? 50mph? cyclists wear lycra. Any fall at and above 30mph is going to possibly be life threatening or lead to serious injury. would that be careless??
In my instance i was racing in one and going downhill around 15mph off road. Careless in the latter as i was doing it for the thrill of riding fast. I wouldn't be so keen on cycling if i had to do everything completely safely though.

If i have possibly been lucky you on the other hand may have been lucky. Who knows. It was not my intention to base any facts on my past. I have tried to use stats and common sense. I appreciate your post though.

 

[david k]

They are very similar.

Hi Norm, I just dont see this I'm afraid. I remember redlights (remember him?) data he brought to the debate proved that you were more likely to be injured cycling for an hour compared to walking for an hour.

Besides, a fall from a bike on a road with other traffic has the potential to be a much more serious injury than tripping whilst walking.

IMO bringing up other things to disprove helmets are a potential benefit when cycling is just trying to ridicule helmet wearers

 

[srw]

Paging @Greg Collins.....

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

So what you are really saying is that you see no point in continuing this debate provided your specific viewpoint prevails.

Actually Adrian, no matter what i say (or anyone else for that matter) there will be certain people who will not wear a helmet regardless of evidence, opinion fact or fiction. That won't change no matter what i say, so this is in fact a never ending debate.

 

[theclaud]

Thats the point isn't it Claud. Each to their own. Why these threads continue to go on and on is beyond me. I would just not like to see someone converted to not wear a helmet due to the points above. There is research, there are opinions of both pro's and amateurs alike but they ignored and the debate rages on. There may never be concrete evidence either way. So again, each to their own. It is our heads. What we do with them is our business.

Pro and amateur what? Helmet bullies? I would not like to see anyone bullied into wearing an absurd polystyrene hat that is unlikely to improve their safety anyway, or discouraged from cycling by people who spread fear. If you want to look like a mushroom, go ahead - just leave the rest of us alone.

 

[theclaud]

You regard it as all pointless yet can't resist having your say and dismiss any alternative. I hate to be rude but what is the point of your contribution?

Yeah, right...

 

[Norm]

Hi Norm, I just dont see this I'm afraid. I remember redlights (remember him?) data he brought to the debate proved that you were more likely to be injured cycling for an hour compared to walking for an hour.

I'm afraid that I see this as one of the distractions. And, whether you measure by time or by distance, the two are what I'd consider to be be similar, which was my response to Pedro's question.

Whether falling on the pavement or tripping when walking is more serious is covered by the stats I posted, although they don't really show that. What they say is that 4 times more peds die than cyclists, whereas just under twice as many are seriously injured but only a few more peds are covered by 'other injuries'. That suggests, to me, that peds are more likely to be killed or seriously injured.

Now, given that I wear a helmet most of the time, do you want to rethink the tired old concept that there is any intention to ridicule helmet wearers, because that comment itself could open you up to ridicule.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

T

American and it puts pedestrians with car passengers and bikes together with motorbikes, so not actually very useful for this.

You could try my suggestion of UK government departments, such as the DfT...
https://www.gov.uk/government/organ...t/series/road-accidents-and-safety-statistics

All road accidents is it not?? I cannot actually open the individual files so i have to take your word RE the stats. I've no probs with that as your posts seem honest and genuine.

I will assume (correct me if wrong) that these stats don't take into account drunken peds, peds walking on foot paths, age of peds and, when compared to cyclists, the frequency with which these activities are applied.

For example a lot more people walk than cycle so obviously there will be more reported injuries. Kind of makes these reports a bit redundant unless you are looking at total amount of peds and total amount of cyclists and working a percentage from the reported injuries.

Again though Norm, no amount of stats will make you wear a helmet. Until it is made a legal requirement and that will not be too far away, be it good or bad.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Question 1.... A cyclist slips on ice and bangs their head. Do you think they should wear a helmet to reduce the head injury?
Question 2..... A pedestrian slips on ice and bangs their head. Do you think they should wear a helmet to reduce the head injury?

Q1: Yes but only because of the constant potential danger whislt cycling, not because of the ice. Use the correct tyres for the circumstances.
Q2: No, wear the correct footwear to reduce the possibility of falling. People don't generally wear helmets for everyday life. This is a cycling forum. Why do people keep asking this question about peds?!?

 

[Norm]

All road accidents is it not?? I cannot actually open the individual files so i have to take your word RE the stats. I've no probs with that as your posts seem honest and genuine.

I will assume (correct me if wrong) that these stats don't take into account drunken peds, peds walking on foot paths, age of peds and, when compared to cyclists, the frequency with which these activities are applied.

For example a lot more people walk than cycle so obviously there will be more reported injuries. Kind of makes these reports a bit redundant unless you are looking at total amount of peds and total amount of cyclists and working a percentage from the reported injuries.

That is covered in the stats, which break down injuries by mile and by time. There are also some which cover alcohol but they aren't combined anywhere, I don't think.

A

gain though Norm, no amount of stats will make you wear a helmet. Until it is made a legal requirement and that will not be too far away, be it good or bad.

If I said that I do usually wear a helmet, would that change anything?

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Pro and amateur what? Helmet bullies? I would not like to see anyone bullied into wearing an absurd polystyrene hat that is unlikely to improve their safety anyway, or discouraged from cycling by people who spread fear. If you want to look like a mushroom, go ahead - just leave the rest of us alone.

I absolutely have left you alone. You interacted with me. Do as you please. I have repeated several times that i couldn't care what you's do. It is the other way about though. What's the worst that can happen if i convince someone to wear a helmet with my posts?? What is the worst that can happen if you convince someone not to with yours?

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

You are still missing the point. At what level of relative risk do you say thst cycling is dangerous and needs a helmet while walking is safe and doesn't?

You see many peds going over 30 mph??

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

That is covered in the stats, which break down injuries by mile and by time. There are also some which cover alcohol but they aren't combined anywhere, I don't think.

If I said that I do usually wear a helmet, would that change anything?

Yes my comment that you would not wear a helmet. Though like it or not it will be a legal requirement soon. No one will change that.

Regarding your response to David K above, i think you may miss the point that whilst every cyclist is also a ped, not every ped is a cyclist. Obviously more peds die each year for whatever reason than cyclists as there is an enormous deal more of them.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Remind me, for what sort of speed of impact are helmets designed to work?

Wether or not they are designed to work at low speeds or not, a knock on the head at 30mph plus or a knock on the head at 3mph is still a knock on the head.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

So sit back and enjoy your victory as it is in the bag. No need to think about it at all.

I don't applaud it. I am pro choice for adults. I believe all children should have to wear a helmet though.