The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[Justinslow]

So helmets can be good then? Well I'll be blowed.........

 

[martint235]

I've never said helmets are bad. What I've continually said is that there is no evidence to suggest that current cycling helmets are any use whatsoever. If there was evidence to support the idea that a cycling helmet would considerably reduce my chance of injuring myself in the kind of accident I have I'd consider wearing one.

I'd only get as far as considering it though as experience has taught me that the risk of me suffering a head impact whilst cycling is low (once in 25 years) but then that becomes my personal risk assessment rather than a lack of evidence.

 

[Justinslow]

I've never said helmets are bad. What I've continually said is that there is no evidence to suggest that current cycling helmets are any use whatsoever. If there was evidence to support the idea that a cycling helmet would considerably reduce my chance of injuring myself in the kind of accident I have I'd consider wearing one.

I'd only get as far as considering it though as experience has taught me that the risk of me suffering a head impact whilst cycling is low (once in 25 years) but then that becomes my personal risk assessment rather than a lack of evidence.

Are you kidding, not sure who said it but someone was saying they cause more injuries than they save/help? Is that true?

 

[martint235]

Are you kidding, not sure who said it but someone was saying they cause more injuries than they save/help? Is that true?

Look back and you'll find I've never claimed that.

I just find the complete lack of evidence but the willingness of people to not only follow purely anecdotal information but to then preach at those who don't very depressing

 

[MontyVeda]

... I have been told that horse riding helmets are designed to withstand both falling onto a rock and a hoof treading on them, which makes them sound considerably tougher than a cycle crash helmet if that's true.

A horse's back is also a lot higher than a bike seat. If i fell of a standing horse sideways i'd probably be upside down by the time i'd hit the ground... so i'd say horse riding, like downhill MTB is an activity that I'd wear a helmet for (not that i have interest in either)

 

[MontyVeda]

So helmets can be good then? Well I'll be blowed.........

I don't think anyone's claiming otherwise. However I, and others feel they are not necessary for all activities.

 

[Justinslow]

Are you kidding, not sure who said it but someone was saying they cause more injuries than they save/help? Is that true?

I didn't say you said it......

 

[Justinslow]

So did anyone say this?

Maybe I made that up aswell? I'll have to read all the posts again......

 

[Justinslow]

It maybe that they have more benefit in some scenarios than others, and so a judgement could be taken - but even for "more risky" cycling we'd not know if they caused more harm than good in that type of cycling (neck injuries, rotation, bigger head = bigger target etc).

This was the bit I was thinking of.

 

[machew]

http://road.cc/content/news/166714-...e-whether-wear-helmet-says-transport-minister

 

[jonny jeez]

Shame it came from a politician really as it will likely be dismissed as rubbish by everyone not supporting that particular tribe.

 

[Justinslow]

That makes as much sense as those people who suggest that, if only Jeremy Corbyn were to present himself as something he isn't, other people might vote for his party.

Somewhat off topic I think

 

[theclaud]

[QUOTE 3940259, member: 45"]I don't think you understand what I'm saying. Those who think it makes sense to wear a helmet think they make sense and it's you who is being ridiculous. They'll continue to think you're being ridiculous unless someone engages properly, and you've already lost some of them. Far better, in my view, to explain things properly. And in my experience they struggle enough with that.[/QUOTE]
I'm bored of explaining, TBH. It's beyond tedious. If people berate me about this stuff these days, I prefer to give it short shrift. So when people ask me why I haven't got a helmet and hi-viz, I say stuff like 'Don't believe in all that cobblers. What shade of radioactive custard is your car?' or somesuch. The onus is not on me to explain their bizarre preoccupations.

 

[User32269]

I find myself in agreement with Tory minister...gonna have to go out and petrol bomb a bank now just to redress the balance in the universe.
Good to hear sense from politician who cycles though.

 

[Justinslow]

I'm bored of explaining, TBH. It's beyond tedious. If people berate me about this stuff these days, I prefer to give it short shrift. So when people ask me why I haven't got a helmet and hi-viz, I say stuff like 'Don't believe in all that cobblers. What shade of radioactive custard is your car?' or somesuch. The onus is not on me to explain their bizarre preoccupations.

Ok so where are we going with all this? Is it ever going to become mandatory (not saying that it should) or are we all going to be persuaded with scientific evidence that wearing one is a waste of time or are we just going to carry on in the "I wear one", "I don't" camp? And are we going to carry on with these infantile comparisons with everyday life for ever?