The CycleChat Helmet Debate Thread

[shouldbeinbed]

I rode my bike yesterday and didn't crash, probably because I was wearing a cap. Black moleskin, in case anyone is interested in knowing exactly what provides the best protection.

Aha! I was wearing a black fleece beanie yesterday. Do you think it might not be anything to do with helmets being helmets, but that the bright colours of most helmet uppers are destabilising the wearers by bouncing more wavelengths of light away?

Black buff with little white cogwheels on used as a beanie whilst have I failed to crash and die this week.

Maybe it is the black that does it

Whaddya recokon Justin, more black clothing to prevent accidents

 

[Shed_head]

If I am riding with the family so gentle slow ride on cycle paths or similar (speeds up to 15 mph) I won't wear a helmet, if I am out riding properly (speeds up to and over 40 MPH) then I will. I think its whatever you prefer and what you feel safest doing, a bit like the lights debate its a personal choice. Personally at higher speeds I think it can only help. Like all these things its a person choice.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Slightly off topic (oh the irony on a helmet thread) honest question: why do you not consider the family and slower cycling as proper cycling?

 

[Shed_head]

Its cycling but I am not exerting myself so in my mind I am not really exercising. Sorry didn't mean that to offend anyone. My son is only 5 so he doesn't go that fast

 

[Shed_head]

But I do make him wear a helmet, it even has a flashing red light on the back

 

[Justinslow]

And both were wearing helmets, just like the one I saw last month... it would seem as fair to conclude that the helmet-wearing minority crash and hit their heads more, wouldn't it?

I've no idea, just reporting the facts as reported to me, and as my mate was the one calling the emergency services and saw for himself the accident and the impact, tend to trust his words.
I can only hope @User s "black moleskin" cap would offer similar protection, but how will we ever know?

Black buff with little white cogwheels on used as a beanie whilst have I failed to crash and die this week.

Maybe it is the black that does it

Whaddya recokon Justin, more black clothing to prevent accidents

Trying to goad me into a foolish pointless argument really isn't very clever now is it?

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Its cycling but I am not exerting myself so in my mind I am not really exercising. Sorry didn't mean that to offend anyone. My son is only 5 so he doesn't go that fast

Ah ha., makes sense, sorry didn't want to seem offended, I was just curious at the distinction.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I've no idea, just reporting the facts as reported to me, and as my mate was the one calling the emergency services and saw for himself the accident and the impact, tend to trust his words.
I can only hope @User s "black moleskin" cap would offer similar protection, but how will we ever know?


Trying to goad me into a foolish pointless argument really isn't very clever now is it?

Trying to get you to lighten up a tad with a clearly silly post.

Hey hum.

 

[mjr]

Trying to get you to lighten up a tad with a clearly silly post.

Friday afternoon is no time for silliness!

 

[Justinslow]

Trying to get you to lighten up a tad with a clearly silly post.

Hey hum.

You said it pal........

 

[benb]

that's now two people I know in a few months who've had these mythical head injuries that apparently are so very very rare that "evidence" shows hardly ever actually happen?

I know someone who got a royal flush in poker.

So much for the ridiculous notion that it's a rare event.

 

[Justinslow]

I know someone who got a royal flush in poker.

So much for the ridiculous notion that it's a rare event.

Maybe I'm just lucky then as I'm not Making this stuff up (or unlucky depending on your point of view).

 

[MontyVeda]

Do motorcyclists, racing drivers crash more ? Or does this rule apply only to cyclists ?

...

firstly, there's a big difference between a motorcycle helmet and a cycle helmet... one looks like it works in high speed offs, the other doesn't.
Racing drivers wear a similar helmet to motorcyclists and probably do crash more.
'Normal' drivers don't wear helmets... i wonder why?

 

[ufkacbln]

Black buff with little white cogwheels on used as a beanie whilst have I failed to crash and die this week.

Maybe it is the black that does it

Whaddya recokon Justin, more black clothing to prevent accidents

Surely the cog wheels are a risk?

All them sharp pointy bits and all

Is they sewn in or attached with Velcro so they releases on impact?


......and is white cog wheels more effective than the usual silver or black?

 

[Kumquat]

But they should be able to read the info for themselves. Just as we have.

I have read the available info (not ALL of it, I think that would take years ) but it's quite hard to generalise whether helmet wearing or the behaviour of the types of cyclists who choose to wear helmets is the most relevant variable.
I wanted to hear some anecdotal evidence around why people choose to wear a helmet or not to help me in my decision.

Personally, I think that I will "scale back" my helmet wearing for what I consider to be "low risk" journeys, especially where I would prefer to wear a nice warm hat instead. Most of my cycling is commuting and I will keep the helmet for that, for now.