The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread
- Thread starter Shaun
- Start date
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- helmet helmet debate
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keithmac
Guru
Slowly turning that way..
Ian H
Ancient randonneur
It's not that important.
keithmac
Guru
You can be the best rider in the world but you can't account for other road users (texting rather than driving etc). That's the sad truth.
I ride in a worst case scenario mode all the time, even then I've been clipped by wing mirrors because people are not concentrating or more likely can't bloody drive properly.
Over the last 5-10 years I've noticed more cars getting closer while overtaking, I believe it's because more people don't ride a bike at all now so don't appreciate the space required?.
Either way if you get knocked off by no fault of your own there's not a lot you can do about it.
Luckily I have not been forced of my bike yet, but I digress and that is a subject for another thread..
I ride in a worst case scenario mode all the time, even then I've been clipped by wing mirrors because people are not concentrating or more likely can't bloody drive properly.
Over the last 5-10 years I've noticed more cars getting closer while overtaking, I believe it's because more people don't ride a bike at all now so don't appreciate the space required?.
Either way if you get knocked off by no fault of your own there's not a lot you can do about it.
Luckily I have not been forced of my bike yet, but I digress and that is a subject for another thread..
Profpointy
Legendary Member
But still the question remains - do helmets, on balance /on average actually do any good, ormore precisely, do they do more good than harm. Going by the Australian numbers, pre-and post-compulsion, it appears the do not help..
others claim to see different conclusion but I can't see it in the numbers I've see .
newfhouse
Resolutely on topic
Do you think that portraying cycling as a dangerous activity requiring safety equipment is the best way to encourage more people to ride?
Big Andy
Über Member
- Location
- Huddersfield & Leicester
Is cycling portrayed as dangerous?? Before I was a cyclist I never considered it particularly dangerous. If i saw a cyclist wearing a helmet I just considered they were taking a sensible precaution.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
At first sight, it would seem a sensible precaution. But as I and others mention above, the evidence doesn't stack up that they actually help,surprising as that might seem . Maybe not so sensible after all
Big Andy
Über Member
- Location
- Huddersfield & Leicester
The point I was trying to make was that just because some choose to wear helmets doesnt necessarily mean that non cyclists see cycling as dangerous.
newfhouse
Resolutely on topic
Who else wears a supposed safety helmet for non-dangerous activities?
keithmac
Guru
Why should that be a concern of mine and factor in my choice of wearing one?.
Are you saying I'm single handedly preventing people from cycling due to perceived danger from me wearing a helmet?.
Big Andy
Über Member
- Location
- Huddersfield & Leicester
still missing my point. It was suggested that wearing a helmet gives the perception to non cyclists that cycling is dangerous. My point was that is not necessarily the perception non cyclists have when they see a cyclist wearing a helmet. I always considered that wearing a helmet made a safe activity safer.
Big Andy
Über Member
- Location
- Huddersfield & Leicester
Im not sure any activity can be considered as non-dangerous. However some are more dangerous or less safe than others.
newfhouse
Resolutely on topic
It was you that said this:
Does it not concern you that most people don't ride (and hence have less appreciation of how to drive near cyclists)?
No, I don't believe you're alone.
