Comments on: Four Myths About Helmets and Safety http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 18 May 2013 21:46:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Tiago http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-886694 Tiago Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:15:00 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-886694 I'm really depressed by these debates, the comparisons done and how someone can so lightly dismiss the evidence given by countless people who are still here because they were wearing helmets. How can someone compare riding in traffic with walking - 99% of the time pedestrians are not sharing the road with multi-ton fast vehicles driven by stressed drivers. And I rarely see them walking at 40km/h with only flimsy brakes to stop. I suppose all those car airbags, seatbelts and the like also promote fear and wreckless behaviour. I'm sure you can get studies and statistics proving that's true... I commute everyday by bike in a very bike commute unfriendly country (Portugal) and still don't understand how some people feel safe not wearing a helmet. I'm also an avid mtbiker and bike shop owner which gives me bike handling skills I use in my commute and vice-versa. I know I sometimes ride too fearless and fast (it's not only a commute, it's also my training :D) and I would not blame anyone if I had an accident because of that. But my 2 helmet craking accidents were from stupid mistakes and distractions (mine and from drivers), not from riding fast, risking it all or taking more chances because of a helmet. I also knew someone who died from simply slipping on a tram track while ridding slow and hitting his unprotected head on pavement. And I witness first hand a friend taking a dive head first when his bike fork decided to break in two while leasurly riding on a bike lane, luckly with a helmet. Hardly wreckless riding on all counts. Want to keep on deceiving yourselves, then keep on cycling unprotected and I hope luck is always on your side. As for me helmets are sexy, promote safety (not fear) and should be part of any bike commuter kit (not because of any law but simply because it's as obvious as taking a jacket with you on a cloudy day will reduce the chances of getting wet and chilled to the bones). I’m really depressed by these debates, the comparisons done and how someone can so lightly dismiss the evidence given by countless people who are still here because they were wearing helmets.

How can someone compare riding in traffic with walking – 99% of the time pedestrians are not sharing the road with multi-ton fast vehicles driven by stressed drivers. And I rarely see them walking at 40km/h with only flimsy brakes to stop.

I suppose all those car airbags, seatbelts and the like also promote fear and wreckless behaviour. I’m sure you can get studies and statistics proving that’s true…

I commute everyday by bike in a very bike commute unfriendly country (Portugal) and still don’t understand how some people feel safe not wearing a helmet.

I’m also an avid mtbiker and bike shop owner which gives me bike handling skills I use in my commute and vice-versa. I know I sometimes ride too fearless and fast (it’s not only a commute, it’s also my training :D ) and I would not blame anyone if I had an accident because of that.

But my 2 helmet craking accidents were from stupid mistakes and distractions (mine and from drivers), not from riding fast, risking it all or taking more chances because of a helmet. I also knew someone who died from simply slipping on a tram track while ridding slow and hitting his unprotected head on pavement. And I witness first hand a friend taking a dive head first when his bike fork decided to break in two while leasurly riding on a bike lane, luckly with a helmet. Hardly wreckless riding on all counts.

Want to keep on deceiving yourselves, then keep on cycling unprotected and I hope luck is always on your side. As for me helmets are sexy, promote safety (not fear) and should be part of any bike commuter kit (not because of any law but simply because it’s as obvious as taking a jacket with you on a cloudy day will reduce the chances of getting wet and chilled to the bones).

]]> By: Wally http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-858465 Wally Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:56:21 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-858465 HERE HERE!!! My helmet has saved me twice. HERE HERE!!!
My helmet has saved me twice.

]]> By: Ben http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-404820 Ben Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:34:32 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-404820 The fact is most drivers dont pay attention, so in traffic we as cyclists must take every possible precaution in order to stay alive. Even then, when someone runs a red light the only things that can affect the outcome after you rebound off the front of that Cadillac and before you hit the pavement is the protective gear you have on. I have several friends who have been hit in similar "accidents" and the severity of the injuries would have been inconceivable if they hadn't been wearing helmets. The real reason for people not wearing a helmet, justify it any way you want, is they are seen as un-cool. That's it, image, that is what they are saving instead of their health. I believe that if your not smart enough to wear a helmet in the first place, then you don't need one. Cheers The fact is most drivers dont pay attention, so in traffic we as cyclists must take every possible precaution in order to stay alive. Even then, when someone runs a red light the only things that can affect the outcome after you rebound off the front of that Cadillac and before you hit the pavement is the protective gear you have on. I have several friends who have been hit in similar “accidents” and the severity of the injuries would have been inconceivable if they hadn’t been wearing helmets. The real reason for people not wearing a helmet, justify it any way you want, is they are seen as un-cool. That’s it, image, that is what they are saving instead of their health. I believe that if your not smart enough to wear a helmet in the first place, then you don’t need one.

Cheers

]]> By: Alan Selk http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-280801 Alan Selk Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:29:15 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-280801 I've just lost respect for commute by bike after reading this nonsense on helmets use. There is no real evidence that wearing a helmet is any safer then not wearing a helmet. I'll make a very good guess and say that most all of these moronic stories of someones bike accident that have shown up in the comments are from folks who where going to fast for conditions. I wonder how many of those accidents would have been avoided if the rider was not wearing a helmet and not feeling invincible. I’ve just lost respect for commute by bike after reading this nonsense on helmets use. There is no real evidence that wearing a helmet is any safer then not wearing a helmet. I’ll make a very good guess and say that most all of these moronic stories of someones bike accident that have shown up in the comments are from folks who where going to fast for conditions. I wonder how many of those accidents would have been avoided if the rider was not wearing a helmet and not feeling invincible.

]]> By: WIAP http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-229723 WIAP Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:13:25 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-229723 I crashed on my bike last year. My helmet was cracked in five places. I am still alive and still in one piece. Need I say more. I crashed on my bike last year. My helmet was cracked in five places. I am still alive and still in one piece. Need I say more.

]]> By: Paul http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-228092 Paul Sun, 05 Dec 2010 11:34:00 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-228092 You are missing my point, maye i was not clear. I mean that if cycling is getting the image of something dangerous that requires alot of expensive gear you will not attract the majority. If you want to wear a helmet i have no problem with that. If you keep telling me that i am crazy because i'm not wearing a helmet or stubbed tires or other security equipment i get rather annoyed. You are missing my point, maye i was not clear. I mean that if cycling is getting the image of something dangerous that requires alot of expensive gear you will not attract the majority.
If you want to wear a helmet i have no problem with that. If you keep telling me that i am crazy because i’m not wearing a helmet or stubbed tires or other security equipment i get rather annoyed.

]]> By: Seville http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-228083 Seville Sun, 05 Dec 2010 06:55:25 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-228083 "...you may decide that you’re the type of person who needs to not wear a helmet in order to keep your riskier riding habits in check." heh heh. Great post Josh. “…you may decide that you’re the type of person who needs to not wear a helmet in order to keep your riskier riding habits in check.”

heh heh.

Great post Josh.

]]> By: A. Ruston http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-228060 A. Ruston Sat, 04 Dec 2010 02:16:39 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-228060 Further to my previous rant (My goodness, I am quite the ****** ****** aren't I?) read this: http://dowdmuska.com/2010columns/col060310.htm and this: http://dowdmuska.com/2009columns/col051409.htm Think about the mindset behind those columns and then explain how a cyclist wearing pants of a style you don't like is the biggest problem facing cycling. Further to my previous rant (My goodness, I am quite the ****** ****** aren’t I?)

read this:
http://dowdmuska.com/2010columns/col060310.htm

and this:
http://dowdmuska.com/2009columns/col051409.htm

Think about the mindset behind those columns and then explain how a cyclist wearing pants of a style you don’t like is the biggest problem facing cycling.

]]> By: A. Ruston http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-228057 A. Ruston Fri, 03 Dec 2010 23:11:18 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-228057 “Well, if the goal is to have a majority of the population on bicycles they will not be wearing lycra and helmets, right?” If the goal is to have the majority of the population on bikes then maybe, just maybe, it might be a good idea to accept all types of cyclists? Or is the goal really just about crapping all over cyclists who don’t fit into one mans very narrow definition of what is acceptable? Smear campaigns against people who don’t wear the correct approved retro-tweed WASPy high street chic designer label clothing while cycling are probably not the best way to get more people onto bikes, right? “Well, if the goal is to have a majority of the population on bicycles they will not be wearing lycra and helmets, right?”

If the goal is to have the majority of the population on bikes then maybe, just maybe, it might be a good idea to accept all types of cyclists? Or is the goal really just about crapping all over cyclists who don’t fit into one mans very narrow definition of what is acceptable?

Smear campaigns against people who don’t wear the correct approved retro-tweed WASPy high street chic designer label clothing while cycling are probably not the best way to get more people onto bikes, right?

]]> By: Paul http://www.commutebybike.com/2010/11/29/four-myths-about-helmets-and-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-228054 Paul Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:39:09 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=6689#comment-228054 Well, if the goal is to have a majority of the population on bicycles they will not be wearing lycra and helmets, right? Well, if the goal is to have a majority of the population on bicycles they will not be wearing lycra and helmets, right?

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