The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[newfhouse]

It was suggested that wearing a helmet gives the perception to non cyclists that cycling is dangerous.

My experience is that it does just that. Sadly, many cyclists believe it too.

 

[keithmac]

They day you alter what you wear or how you behave due to the perception of others is a sad day indeed..

 

[newfhouse]

It was suggested that wearing a helmet gives the perception to non cyclists that cycling is dangerous.

It reinforces that belief.

My point was that is not necessarily the perception non cyclists have when they see a cyclist wearing a helmet.

Not necessarily, but often. Sometimes it allows non-cycling drivers to transfer responsibility.

 

[Big Andy]

My experience is that it does just that. Sadly, many cyclists believe it too.

My experience is different.

 

[newfhouse]

They day you alter what you wear or how you behave due to the perception of others is a sad day indeed..

Really? You live a completely isolated life? We influence others, we are influenced by others.

 

[keithmac]

I won't think twice about wearing my helmet next time I'm on the bike, surely if I'd been influenced by the majority on this thread I'd leave it at home instead?.

 

[Profpointy]

I won't think twice about wearing my helmet next time I'm on the bike, surely if I'd been influenced by the majority on this thread I'd leave it at home instead?.

not influenced by the evidence either ?

 

[keithmac]

The evidence contradicts my personal experience, given the two I'll stick with what I've experienced rather than what I've read.

Right or wrong it is my choice to make.

 

[newfhouse]

I won't think twice about wearing my helmet next time I'm on the bike, surely if I'd been influenced by the majority on this thread I'd leave it at home instead?.

Well done, I'm not trying to persuade you not to wear it. I'm slightly saddened that you choose to do so but it is and should remain your choice. Any influence should be based on the evidence rather than my feelings or those of posters on this forum.

 

[swansonj]

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?.

Not single handedly but you are part of a group having that effect and normally we consider that we have some measure of personal responsibility for the group behaviour we contribute to.

 

[swansonj]

They day you alter what you wear or how you behave due to the perception of others is a sad day indeed..

Yes, looking back, it was a sad day when I started wearing a helmet.

 

[Fab Foodie]

They day you alter what you wear or how you behave due to the perception of others is a sad day indeed..

True, I'm still wearing flares and tank tops and calling black people ni**ers ....

 

[keithmac]

Good for you!.

 

[keithmac]

You see that's where you are wrong, I wear a helmet based on my own decisions and my own reasoning and my own experiences..

 

[swansonj]

Slight change of direction.

I can recall from the hundreds of pages discussing helmets quite a few males saying that they wear helmets because their female partner wants them to. I don't think I recall a single female saying they wear one because their male partner wants them to.

No doubt many explanations could be advanced, some quite sexist, but I wonder whether in part men are just more prone to finding excuses and blaming someone else rather than taking responsibility for their own choices?