The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[Justinslow]

Cycle crash helmets are neither designed not tested for vehicular collisions. You may get lucky or the helmet may exacerbate the injury... and then there's the change in behaviour of motorists around helmeted cyclists and possible impaired hearing, vision and decision-making of the wearer.

How does a helmet impair your vision? Crap scratched/ dirty sun/glasses would impair my vision.....
Or a terrible riding position with too extreme head neck angle cutting off blood supply I assume, as it's happened to me on a TT bike.

 

[martint235]

Been away for a bit, any evidence yet?

 

[Justinslow]

Been away for a bit, any evidence yet?

Is that aimed at me? I learned my lesson, and don't particularly want to be barred for 3 days again, I still read with interest!
I liked the info from Seattle I think it was where the helmet law has been applied and seems to work ok? I don't think just because there is evidence from Australia, Canada or wherever means it translates directly to Great Britain or anywhere else for that matter, each country/state should be judged on there own particular conditions, although I agree the evidence cannot be ignored.
I don't think it should become law in GB, and I'm happy with the free choice we have, and many of us use that free choice to wear one. I wear one on my motorcycle, I wear one for TT races, fast road riding and mountain biking through the forests, to me it comes as naturally as putting on a pair of bike shoes, doesn't interfere with my comfort and feels "normal" so I wear one on slower leisure rides aswell although not always hence me using my "free choice".
We could argue all day whether my helmets would be of any use in an accident or not, I'm happy thinking one might do some good as opposed to not wearing one.
If you weren't referring to me I apologise .

 

[martint235]

Sorry it was a general question meaning I'd not been in to check if any efficacy evidence had surfaced

 

[Justinslow]

Sorry it was a general question meaning I'd not been in to check if any efficacy evidence had surfaced

That's cool.

 

[Mugshot]

No, just some straws being clutched.

Now, now, we've had some anecdotes too.

 

[Justinslow]

Sorry it was a general question meaning I'd not been in to check if any efficacy evidence had surfaced

But do remember- evidence for anything is not a requirement to participate in this debate.

 

[Justinslow]

Now, now, we've had some anecdotes too.

Perfectly acceptable aswell.

 

[Justinslow]

At least trying to gain some knowledge about the subject, so that a person might contribute something of some interest might be good though.

Although not essential - anecdotal evidence is fine. People can say what they like regarding the subject.

 

[classic33]

Although not essential - anecdotal evidence is fine. People can say what they like regarding the subject.

I'd have thought, to say something with the intention of causing an argument, wouldn't be allowed though!

 

[Racing roadkill]

There was an interesting post about someone's dad having a bike accident, which resulted in him ending up in hospital with a concussion. The medical experts at the hospital were of the opinion that the helmet saved the guy from being far more seriously hurt, or killed. I tend to listen to what medical experts have to say on the subject.

 

[martint235]

There was an interesting post about someone's dad having a bike accident, which resulted in him ending up in hospital with a concussion. The medical experts at the hospital were of the opinion that the helmet saved the guy from being far more seriously hurt, or killed. I tend to listen to what medical experts have to say on the subject.

Because medical experts are also expert in the design and manufacture of safety equipment?

I hit a truck at 25mph head first. I wasn't wearing a helmet. The surgeon who stitched my scalp wounds berated me for this so I asked him if a helmet would have been of use. He actually stopped to think about it and responded: if you'd been wearing a cheap helmet an impact like this, we'd probably be picking bit of helmet out of your skull. A more expensive helmet may have saved you a few stitches but there may have been more impact to your spine as well". So that's another medical expert who knows nothing about helmet design.

Oh and despite hitting a truck headfirst at 25mph, I didn't die. I didn't even fracture my skull (anyone would think it was designed in some way to survive impact). I did damage a lot of the muscles in my back though.....

 

[srw]

There was an interesting post about someone's dad having a bike accident, which resulted in him ending up in hospital with a concussion. The medical experts at the hospital were of the opinion that the helmet saved the guy from being far more seriously hurt, or killed. I tend to listen to what medical experts have to say on the subject.

I don't. I listen to medical statisticians, who are expert in synthesising large, meaningful, volumes of data rather than individual anecdata.

 

[Justinslow]

Indeed but, if a person knows nothing about the subject, makes no attempt to learn, and has nothing of any value to say, there has to come a point when even they find it embarrassing.

Nothing of any value to say in your opinion? Others may be interested in such views, this is not a scientific experiment, it is a public cycle forum!

I don't. I listen to medical statisticians, who are expert in synthesising large, meaningful, volumes of data rather than individual anecdata.

And that is your choice, others prefer to not take that chance.

 

[Justinslow]

I have been in a collision with a car where the driver pulled out in front of me. I hit the wing with my knee, went over the bonnet, landed on the ground on my shoulder. I never hit my head at all. Ambulance crew came along and commented "good job you were wearing a helmet, it saved you from a nasty injury".
They always come out with this stuff, it is irresponsible nonsense based on no certain knowledge whatsoever but people like you blindly repeat it, all adding to the drip drip drip of ignorant propaganda on behalf of manufacturers who know full well they could never make any claims for themselves.

Maybe you were "lucky"?
Free country free choice, there is no law in the UK to wear one so what's the issue?