The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[screenman]

People trip and some of them hit their heads walking. Some end up in hospital. People have offs from bicycles and some of them hit their heads. Some end up in hospital.

Some, I was not asking some.

 

[srw]

What speed do you expect to walk at ? What damage have you done to yourself in previous falls?

I think @User has summed up my point neatly. Cycling is safe - just about as safe as walking, statistically speaking. Why does anybody assume that cycling needs protection where walking doesn't?

But if you really want anecdote (which won't tell you, or me, anything), I walk at about 3mph - well within the design parameters of the latest lightweight helmets. In previous falls I've grazed knees, twisted ankles, ripped trousers, barked shins and sustained no damage at all.

That, by the way, is in falls both while walking and riding. Can you guess which is which?

 

[screenman]

No.

I agree cycling is safe, but I suggest that there are times when cycling is less safe.

 

[screenman]

Sorry this doesn't make any sense.

Try reading it again then.

 

[keithmac]

I've fallen while walking and cycling, statistically for "me" cycling has produced more head injuries therefore I choose to wear the helmet.

 

[srw]

I've fallen while walking and cycling, statistically for "me" cycling has produced more head injuries therefore I choose to wear the helmet.

This doesn't make sense. Statistics is not a matter of one person, it's a matter of populations.

No.

I agree cycling is safe, but I suggest that there are times when cycling is less safe.

Which times? Less safe than what? If it's less safe, in what way is it less safe?

 

[screenman]

Do you really think I would ask after one read?

Yes.

 

[screenman]

This doesn't make sense. Statistics is not a matter of one person, it's a matter of populations.

Which times? Less safe than what? If it's less safe, in what way is it less safe?

I often ride off road in a local forest on twisting single track, I would say the less safe than doodling along the Sustrans route I ride on with my wife.

 

[screenman]

Sad

Not me.

 

[srw]

I often ride off road in a local forest on twisting single track, I would say the less safe than doodling along the Sustrans route I ride on with my wife.

Agreed. Single-track silliness is probably to road cycling what fell running is to pottering along a pavement.

So what precautions do you recommend people take in each situation? If they're different, why?

 

[keithmac]

Why would it matter to me/ why would I care what happens to a million or more other cyclists and why would I take that over my own personal experience?.

 

[screenman]

If you wear a helmet to protect from lowish speed impacts with head height branches, you have probably made a sound decision.

Surely that just increases your chance of hitting your head though and creating rotational injuries.

 

[screenman]

It is if, after all this time, you make that poor a judgement.

Nope, still not sad.

 

[srw]

Why would it matter to me/ why would I care what happens to a million or more other cyclists and why would I take that over my own personal experience?.

In answer to your first, because not all cyclists are selfish - some actually care about others.
And in answer to your second, because personal experiences are much, much less reliable than we tend to think.

 

[screenman]

In answer to your first, because not all cyclists are selfish - some actually care about others.
And in answer to your second, because personal experiences are much, much less reliable than we tend to think.

Who is we?