The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[icowden]

Actually I suspect you haven't seen any evidence from neurosurgeons but merely lay persons' assumptions with a veneer of "I'm an expert". I'm happy to be proved wrong

https://www.headway.org.uk/news-and...act,mortality, severe traumatic brain injury (

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/9/e027845

https://www.boltburdonkemp.co.uk/our-insights/posts/cyclists-the-difference-a-helmet-makes/

https://road.cc/content/news/dutch-neurologists-call-cyclists-wear-helmets-286871

Dr Phil O’Halloran, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital, has said “You can’t ignore the numbers. Wearing a helmet won’t stop all serious head injury but it does reduce the risk of skull fracture.”

Of course there is even disagreement between neurosurgeons:-
https://road.cc/content/news/121280-cycle-helmets-save-lives-says-neurosurgeon-ongoing-helmet-row

 

[raleighnut]

But isn't it weird how, since the 1950s, head injuries have massively been reduced by the introduction of airbags, side impact bars etc. It's almost as if someone spotted a problem and made cars a lot safer.

I'll think you'll find most of the 'safety' features didn't come in until the 70's and 'airbags' a whole lot later (90's)

 

[MontyVeda]

But isn't it weird how, since the 1950s, head injuries have massively been reduced by the introduction of airbags, side impact bars etc. It's almost as if someone spotted a problem and made cars a lot safer.

Yet there's is still a risk and no matter how small the risk, according to some cyclists, wearing a helmet is the sensible thing to do.

With regards to car occupants, where the risk is higher than for cyclists, there's a strong case for this...

How many of our helmet enthusiasts will be rushing out for buy one for every member of the family?

 

[matticus]

But isn't it weird how, since the 1950s, head injuries have massively been reduced by the introduction of airbags, side impact bars etc. It's almost as if someone spotted a problem and made cars a lot safer.

And yet you still don't wear a helmet for using stairs, or in the bathroom? Yes, it is weird..

 

[matticus]

<snip>
...
Of course there is even disagreement between neurosurgeons:-
https://road.cc/content/news/121280-cycle-helmets-save-lives-says-neurosurgeon-ongoing-helmet-row

Thanks for this example of "neurosurgeons supplying evidence":

Cycle helmets save lives says a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon from Bristol.

Michael Carter of Bristol Children's Hospital says he treats an average of three children a month who have suffered a head injury while cycling that he believes would not have happened if they had been wearing a helmet,

Yup, high quality evidence there!

 

[icowden]

With regards to car occupants, where the risk is higher than for cyclists, there's a strong case for this...

Car occupants do wear helmets if there is high risk. See Raleigh drivers, Single seater drivers etc.

 

[icowden]

Car occupants do wear helmets if there is high risk. See Raleigh drivers, Single seater drivers etc.

Rally not Raleigh. Not sure what happened there!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It's almost as if someone spotted a problem and made cars a lot safer.

For whom?

 

[matticus]

Car occupants do wear helmets if there is high risk. See Raleigh drivers, Single seater drivers etc.

Now look at the figures for head injuries in cars. They seem to be a high risk form of transport. (Even I've had stitches in my head from crashing a car!)

 

[Sharky]

And yet you still don't wear a helmet for using stairs, or in the bathroom? Yes, it is weird..

Some do.

 

[raleighnut]

Car occupants do wear helmets if there is high risk. See Raleigh drivers, Single seater drivers etc.

Yep often 'Paddy Hopkirk' helmets (a notable Rally driver and car accessory maker

 

[MontyVeda]

Car occupants do wear helmets if there is high risk. ...

Some insist we all should wear helmets despite 'everyday' cycling being relatively low risk.