The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[fossyant]

Head butted the road many times with a lid. Never knocked out, no fractures, no concussion, and no skinned scalp. Shame I broke other bits of my body.

 

[MontyVeda]

I don't think someone who cycles in the door zone should be giving out safety advice to others...………….

not always possible though... heading into Lancaster along Slyne Road, I ride as far out of the door zone as possible, but putting myself absolutely out of the door zone would put me in the path of oncoming traffic, so i have no choice but to remain partially in the door zone.

 

[theclaud]

I don't think someone who cycles in the door zone should be giving out safety advice to others...………….

But someone who sends themselves over the handlebars with their braking technique is fine and dandy, cos they are a liddist. Gotcha.

 

[srw]

I don't think someone who cycles in the door zone should be giving out safety advice to others...………….

Although the OP is asking us to take safety advice from someone who couldn't control his bike on a hill...................

 

[User6179]

But someone who sends themselves over the handlebars with their braking technique is fine and dandy, cos they are a liddist. Gotcha.

Where do I say this?

 

[User6179]

not always possible though... heading into Lancaster along Slyne Road, I ride as far out of the door zone as possible, but putting myself absolutely out of the door zone would put me in the path of oncoming traffic, so i have no choice but to remain partially in the door zone.

A few like that near me, I try to take another route if possible, if not I just go slow.

 

[theclaud]

Ouch! Glad you're OK.

I only wear a buff around my neck but would never ride without my skull... they've been protecting brains for millennia.

Thanks Monty. Frustrating being off the bike, and a bit annoying walking round looking like Napoleon over Christmas, but it could've been worse. I've got a personal injury claim in the pipeline which seems to stand a reasonable chance of success, so my other bit of advice is hang on to CTC/CyclingUK membership, even though the club has gone down the Swanee.

 

[raleighnut]

Get a trike, I've yet to fall off mine in 5yrs.

 

[theclaud]

not always possible though... heading into Lancaster along Slyne Road, I ride as far out of the door zone as possible, but putting myself absolutely out of the door zone would put me in the path of oncoming traffic, so i have no choice but to remain partially in the door zone.

This. It's exactly that kind of road - parked cars everywhere, people parking on the wrong side of the road, doing dodgy manoeuvres and u-turns. I can't say with certainty whether my road position was compromised by my poor judgement, by oncoming traffic or by some other factor (there are some major potholes in what would otherwise be the ideal place to ride), as I don't remember much about the moment of impact, but I know the road extremely well and am assertive in road position as a matter of habit.

 

[Markymark]

Three weeks ago I was doored by a parked driver and briefly knocked unconscious when my head hit the ground. My head is OK now but I also sustained a broken collarbone in the impact. I was wearing a buff at the time, so I can confirm that the buff saved my life. Get a buff, people!!!!!*


*Or don't, and be resigned to having your brains splattered all over the road. Not to mention cold ears. Do ride well clear of the door zone tho.

Ouch! Hope you’re ok.

I came off in October, lost control of my bike on a sharp wet bend. Broke my collarbone too, not fun.

I was lying in the road with people telling me I should have been wearing a helmet. Not sure how that would have helped by ribs or collarbone. Though if I had I’m sure it would have saved my life. Possibly broken my neck though...

 

[mjr]

Get a trike, I've yet to fall off mine in 5yrs.

And that's with one of those "dangerous" tall ones!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Sounds like there is a problem with your brakes to cause that. Hope you have had them looked at. Putting on your brakes to gently slow down should not lead anywhere close to being flung off.

 

[User6179]

Although the OP is asking us to take safety advice from someone who couldn't control his bike on a hill...................

Where does the OP give safety advice in his post ?

 

[srw]

But someone who sends themselves over the handlebars with their braking technique is fine and dandy, cos they are a liddist. Gotcha.

Although the OP is asking us to take safety advice from someone who couldn't control his bike on a hill...................

Thank you, pre-moderation, for making me look like I'm copying.

 

[Drago]

I appreciate your candour, but does not the fact that you were knocked unconscious demonstrate that the helmet failed to prevent an injury, seeing as being knocked unconscious is an injury in its own right?

Fair play to you, and I'd never knock anyone choice on this one as you ain't doing anyone no harm, but that falls short of being evidence.