The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[Licramite]

That is simply not true according to the last UK data reported by the European Transport Safety Council.


Oh come on, we can do better than that. How about this:

That's John Key, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, who has failed to repeal their cycle helmet laws but has been photographed repeatedly cycling without one, on cycle tracks, on carriageway, ...

well what a surprise - a politician who is hypocrite- but note the pedestrian in the background carrying her helmet! - so pedestrians have finally cottoned on they should wear helmets too!

 

[Tim Hall]

Prompted by this thread in the Cycling Clubs bit, I've been reading up on British Cycling's stance on helmets.
They say:

British Cycling recommends wearing a correctly fitted helmet while cycling however we also support the right of each individual to choose whether or not to accept this recommendation and recognise the limit to the protection that helmets provide.
British Cycling’s ultimate aim is to create a safer cycling environment knowing that the safest places in the world to cycle also have the lowest rates of helmet use.


Read more at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/a...atic-Helmet-policy-0?c=EN#k8XY57UGcXceOYeK.99

There seems to be a gap in the logic between the first sentence and the second, although correlation doesn't imply causation. Tis a bit of a puzzle all the same.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I never wore a lid when i was a lad..cycles or motorbikes ..got lucky a few time crashing..
i wear one now for mtb and the road bike, had a really good whack today while on my mtb by a low branch after avoiding a dog that ran out of some bushes..no gashed head..or stars..carried on with my ride..
if a car hits me at 50mph it wont be any use..i guess.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

I never wear one but I recently got some insurance for my new bike as it's the only bike I've ever had that was worth insuring. It also covers personal injury, but head injuries won't be paid out for unless you wear a helmet. Also, my mate gave me a helmet cam recently.

*Ponders purchasing a helmet*

 

[mjr]

I never wear one but I recently got some insurance for my new bike as it's the only bike I've ever had that was worth insuring. It also covers personal injury, but head injuries won't be paid out for unless you wear a helmet. Also, my mate gave me a helmet cam recently.

*Ponders purchasing a helmet*

I'd be looking for less bonkers insurance, and not putting a camera (aka brain spike) anywhere near my head!

 

[Tim Hall]

I never wear one but I recently got some insurance for my new bike as it's the only bike I've ever had that was worth insuring. It also covers personal injury, but head injuries won't be paid out for unless you wear a helmet. Also, my mate gave me a helmet cam recently.

*Ponders purchasing a helmet*

Wow. I'd be interested to know which insurance policy that is.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

I'd be looking for less bonkers insurance...

To be honest, I thought they'd all insist on the dreaded helmet, so I just went along with it. Who do you suggest as an alternative?

and not putting a camera (aka brain spike) anywhere near my head!

Why not?

 

[Absinthe Minded]

Wow. I'd be interested to know which insurance policy that is.

It's with Wiggle.

 

[Arrowfoot]

I never wear one but I recently got some insurance for my new bike as it's the only bike I've ever had that was worth insuring. It also covers personal injury, but head injuries won't be paid out for unless you wear a helmet. Also, my mate gave me a helmet cam recently.

*Ponders purchasing a helmet*

Keen to find out which Insurance company. Circa 2011/2012 there was a case where the court ruled that compensation amount for a cyclist with brain damage was reduced because he did not wear a helmet even though it was not compulsory. There was anticipation at that time that Insurance companies will move to cover their exposure but I don't think it came to pass unless this was a recently introduced condition.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

Keen to find out which Insurance company. Circa 2011/2012 there was a case where the court ruled that compensation amount for a cyclist with brain damage was reduced because he did not wear a helmet even though it was not compulsory. There was anticipation at that time that Insurance companies will move to cover their exposure but I don't think it came to pass unless this was a recently introduced condition.

It's with Wiggle - well, I should say it's through Wiggle - they use Red Sands Insurance Company. Let me dig out the wording and I'll edit this post...

EDIT:
Under the heading:
What is not Covered? Significant Exclusions or Limitations.
It reads:
An Accident resulting in a head injury If You were not wearing approved protective headgear manufactured to BS EN 1078 Snell certified, at the time of the Accident.

 

[Arrowfoot]

It's with Wiggle.

Thanks, you are right. Here is the extract from their website.

"An Accident resulting in a head injury If You were not wearing approved protective headgear manufactured to BS EN 1078 Snell certified, at the time of the Accident."

ps. you probably provided the most useful information in this thread thus far.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

Ha ha, thank you and I knew I'd post something useful one day - it only took about eight and a half years

 

[Absinthe Minded]

Oh, I hear you. Hopefully somebody on here can provide an alternative.

 

[Tim Hall]

What a stroke of luck that the people selling the insurance that calls for cycle helmets also sell cycle helmets. What are the chances of that eh?

 

[Absinthe Minded]

Ha ha, yeah, I mean what are the odds?