The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[mjr]

What's this nonsense that 'traditional cycling' doesnt include helmets ...when did that happen ?

When cycle helmets as we now know them didn't exist until the last few decades?

 

[doog]

When cycle helmets as we now know them didn't exist until the last few decades?

I must be younger than I thought ...you've reminded me to proofide the thing anyway...Interesting concept but I cant see it putting me off buying another. Large market in Germany I guess, matching saddle and lid will go down well.

 

[ufkacbln]

I always consider po racers a red herring.

They are an irrelevance to the average cyclist

However if we do use them as a comparison then surely we should be comparing the average motorist with a professional racing motorist as well?

"Just driving down to pick the kids up from School dear"

 

[ufkacbln]

When cycle helmets as we now know them didn't exist until the last few decades?

... an sadly have become less efficient and more dangerous during that short period as the fashion element became the priority

 

[mjr]

They're not 'an irrelevance' though - I've had the 'why do the pro riders wear them then? question flung at me numerous times.

The answer is a minor aerodynamic benefit, a minor sponsorship opportunity (I'd love to know the margin on a bit of plastic foam with little risk of liability if it fails to help as long as it passed lab tests) and mostly helmet zealots shamefully exploiting the death of Andrey Kivilev to push through helmet compulsion after twelve years of failing to win the argument on evidence (because the evidence is inconclusive - it still is, because what's the motive to gather more evidence when you're winning by other means?)

 

[MontyVeda]

surely slicked back hair is more aerodynamic than a helmet? ...more stylish too

 

[benb]

I think we all know what is the most aerodynamic configuration.

Of course. (as long as they point the top of their head forwards)

 

[mjr]

surely slicked back hair is more aerodynamic than a helmet? ...more stylish too

I bet Boardman tested it and he still preferred to wear a smooth plastic faring. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/case-in-point-37580

 

[ufkacbln]

And they take them off, or undo the straps, at the earliest opportunity, probably because they don't have much faith in them really. They're not 'an irrelevance' though - I've had the 'why do the pro riders wear them then? question flung at me numerous times.

I always counter that with;

"For the same reasons that racing drivers do... It is part of the rules... In the same way as fireproof overalls and helmets are required for professional racing drivers"

 

[ufkacbln]

Lavish application of hairspray goes quite hard. Long hair could be encouraged into a point at the back of the head.

Years ago when helmets first became compulsory for motorcycles.....

A local guy used to wear a wig over his helmet to wind up the local law enforcement

 

[martint235]

After reading through this thread, I've decided to break the habit of a lifetime. From now on I'm going to wave and say hello to my fellow non-plastic hat wearers on my commute. Not from any brotherhood of cycling aspect, more that from reading this thread, we're all fellow occupants of the Sky Fairy's Waiting Room. It's only a matter of time before we shuffle off this mortal coil, either from banging our heads against a flat surface from 1m or from some kind of viral stupidity because we "didn't see how it saved my friend's life"

 

[ufkacbln]

Not very helpful though. There is evidence that those things are effective for 'professional racing drivers'.

Very helpful... it reaffirms the fact that car drivers should be wearing them


Professional racing cyclists wear a helmet where there is little evidence of their effectiveness and that supports the argument that the average cyclist should wear one

Yet, professional racing drivers wearing a helmet that is proven to work doesn't support the argument that the average driver should wear one

Hardly logical on common sense

 

[ufkacbln]

Absolutely the point

Comparing professional racing cyclists with the average cyclist is as illogical as comparing the average driver with a professional racing driver

 

[ufkacbln]

Lets make it very simple then.....

Is comparing the risk for for a middle aged person nipping down to the shops on a hybrid with a racing cyclist riding at speed in a close formation with a hundred others valid?

 

[rivers]

My take on it:
If you don't want to wear a helmet, don't. If you want to wear a helmet, wear it. But we aware of its limitations. Personally, I wear a helmet and have done since I was a kid. I'm fully aware, if I'm hit by any vehicle, especially at speed, it's not going to do anything. But, if I were to fall off my bike and hit my head riding at a normal-ish speed, it might offer some protection.
I'll stop being sensible now.