View Poll Results: Helmet wearing habits?
I've never worn a bike helmet
178
10.66%
I used to wear a helmet, but have stopped
94
5.63%
I've always worn a helmet
648
38.80%
I didn't wear a helmet, but now do
408
24.43%
I sometimes wear a helmet depending on the conditions
342
20.48%
Voters: 1670. You may not vote on this poll
The helmet thread
#7726
20+mph Commuter
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There are many types of jobs I can't take because I am not willing to own a car at present. I could not be a farmer, carpenter, general contractor, or any number of professions that require hauling a bunch of stuff around or covering hundreds of miles each day. But I don't look at that as limiting my life, I look at it as being set free from sitting in traffic to basically "break even" with my car-free life.
The way I got started was to find a job I really liked that looked long term. Then i moved to a cheap apartment reasonably close by work and right next to a shopping mall with a grocery, movie theater, and lots of eateries. THEN i ditched the car. When my company moved, I relocated again within a mile of work and a nice supermarket. So if I woke up tomorrow and was a freelance nurse, I would obviously have to tender my resignation after finding a more stationary job. Then move close to that job.
Ditching the car is certainly not for everyone. With enough motivation, and willingness to live in or very near a city, or work from home, it can be figured out. It is certainly not for everyone. And personally, I would have no trouble owning a "work" vehicle that actually brings money INTO my bank account if I liked driving. It's more than just gas money. AAA estimates it costs roughly $8000 per year to own a dependable car. Some spend much more. So I would have to make $8000/yr more to just break even.
#7727
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coin has two sides. and sometimes the argue may get devils more devil and angel more angel. i would like to find someone share with us the right way to use a helmet instead of wear or not wear the helmet.
#7728
Senior Member
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More: Easy Steps to Properly Fit a Bicycle Helmet
The last site skips out what I discovered over the years to be another aspect to making sure the helmet fits. If you notice in the Step 6 the Final Fitting section they discuss if the helmet rocks back more than 2 finger widths, I also found that it shouldn't also rock up the side of the head more than 2 finger widths either. I find it odd that all these proper fitting sites never mention the side to side movement of the helmet. That's the reason I bought a Lazer helmet was because I have a oblong shaped head and all the helmets I tried in stores were more for round heads so I had a lot of side to side rocking movement. I'm sure there are other helmet manufactures that make helmets for more oblong shaped heads, Lazer was just the first one that I found so I got it.
#7729
fixed for the long haul
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Helmet as handlebar decoration
I just don't get it. Every day I see people with their helmet hanging on their handlebar. So not only is it not protecting their head, the helmet has made their riding LESS safe, dangling and swinging. In fact, I saw one guy's helmet fall off his bars; he braked abruptly to pick it up and the bike behind him almost rear-ended him.
In NYC you don't have to have a helmet as an adult. And I'm of two minds about the need to use them. But I am convinced it's better to leave it at home than have it swinging on the end of your bars.
I suspect that people are under the belief that it's a law that you have to have one with you, not on you...so they carry them around in case a cop stops them??
In NYC you don't have to have a helmet as an adult. And I'm of two minds about the need to use them. But I am convinced it's better to leave it at home than have it swinging on the end of your bars.
I suspect that people are under the belief that it's a law that you have to have one with you, not on you...so they carry them around in case a cop stops them??
#7731
Senior Member
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There's a "right" way to hang it on the bars so that it doesn't dangle or fall off.
Regarding "why", that's not really anyone else's business.
Regarding "why", that's not really anyone else's business.
#7732
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Around here (SF Bay area), I see the helmet on bars almost entirely for two reasons. Most common is kids riding to/from school. There's an MHL for kids that tends to be enforced at the school grounds so the helmet is worn only for a 100 yards or so when entering and leaving the school. The second case is for people climbing one of our area mountains on warm/hot days so the helmet is on the bars on the way up and on their head on the way down.
#7733
Senior Member
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I was going to mention the school kids. I see this often on my ride to work. I will rap on my own helmet and say, I don't know if you know this, but your helmet only works if you put it on your head.
Usually get an eye roll in response, but I have two kids myself so I am used to it.
Usually get an eye roll in response, but I have two kids myself so I am used to it.
#7734
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I used to remove my helmet for the last two block coast to the office to cool off. I'd hang it from my inboard bar end. But with newer better ventilated helmets and no hair left on top, I seem to stay cool with the helmet on.
#7735
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ask them?
#7737
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I was going to mention the school kids. I see this often on my ride to work. I will rap on my own helmet and say, I don't know if you know this, but your helmet only works if you put it on your head.
Usually get an eye roll in response, but I have two kids myself so I am used to it.
Usually get an eye roll in response, but I have two kids myself so I am used to it.
#7738
Senior Member
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Probably not, but they can no longer claim ignorance.
#7740
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Where I live there is a mandatory helmet law. I see this often too. I guess its because going in and out of the central business district there are a few hotspots where police conduct sting operations and fine helmetless cyclists, so the cyclists put it on there and then take it off later.
I ride helmetless and got a ticket in on such hotspot this morning!
But I won't buy a helmet and hang it off the bars - I agree thats ridiculous
I ride helmetless and got a ticket in on such hotspot this morning!
But I won't buy a helmet and hang it off the bars - I agree thats ridiculous
Last edited by yugyug; 05-28-14 at 09:05 PM.
#7741
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I think the subsets of riders out there with wide handlebars, or a basket out front are the folks ditching their helmets until needed. In NYC - race bike people have their helmets on, and the casual rider with the afore mentioned bike attributes might have their helmet off. That said - I sees WHOLE lot of Citibike riders sans helmet.
#7742
Senior Member
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Just because helmets do not prevent deaths, doesn't mean they don't prevent or minimize injuries, nasty or otherwise.
And more worrying, you feel the need to belittle those who think helmets may be effective? What kind of high do you get off of this?
And more worrying, you feel the need to belittle those who think helmets may be effective? What kind of high do you get off of this?
#7743
Big Boned Biker
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#7744
Been Around Awhile
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#7745
All Campy All The Time
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I chuckle at the ones with the helmets on their heads but not buckled.
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1972 Bottecchia Professional, 1972 Legnano Olympiade Record,
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My C&V Bikes:
1972 Bottecchia Professional, 1972 Legnano Olympiade Record,
1982 Colnago Super, 1987 Bottecchia Team C-Record,
1988 Pinarello Montello, 1990 Masi Nuova Strada Super Record,
1995 Bianchi Campione d'Italia, 1995 DeBernardi Thron
#7746
20+mph Commuter
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Helmet wearers are a vast minority in New Orleans were I live. So I am probably desensitized to noticing much in the way of helmet misuse. We don't wear racing kits either. People who ride bikes for utilitarian purposes in NOLA do not even consider themselves "cyclists" any more than my wife who drives everywhere considers herself a "motorist". People need to get somewhere so they just grab their bikes wearing whatever they put on that morning and go. For city dwellers and commuters a bike is cheap to operate and park. It's not considered some special lifestyle by most. My wife jumps in her car to go to work and I jump on my bike without much thought about being part of some special group of travelers.
I choose to wear a helmet, on my head, and buckled up for a number of reasons other than preventing head trauma in case of a crash involving my head. Mostly it's sun/rain protection and a rear-view mirror holder that won't fly off my head while on a bicycle. If it ever keeps my melon off the tarmac that's just gravy.
Last edited by JoeyBike; 05-29-14 at 09:51 AM.
#7747
20+mph Commuter
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Are we the LAST to believe helmets work?
It has come to my attention that even macho professional bull riders have taken to protecting their neck-melons with headgear.
CREDIT: Professional Bull Riders - Head cases
This has me asking the question: "Are anti-helmet cyclists the LAST group of people on Earth living in denial that helmets are actually beneficial during a fall?" Granted, most bull riders are going to fall EVERY time they enjoy their "sport". And it does not stop there of course because there is still a REALLY p!$$3d-00f bull running around with revenge on his mind.
CREDIT: https://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/23...30be2f26d8.jpg
So...are we the dumbest lot of athletes? Further research shows that we are not. There is still rugby.
CREDIT: https://rugby.byu.edu/wp-content/uplo...ships-2012.jpg
And these guys:
CREDIT: https://content.artofmanliness.com/up...anddiving1.jpg
CREDIT: Professional Bull Riders - Head cases
This has me asking the question: "Are anti-helmet cyclists the LAST group of people on Earth living in denial that helmets are actually beneficial during a fall?" Granted, most bull riders are going to fall EVERY time they enjoy their "sport". And it does not stop there of course because there is still a REALLY p!$$3d-00f bull running around with revenge on his mind.
CREDIT: https://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/23...30be2f26d8.jpg
So...are we the dumbest lot of athletes? Further research shows that we are not. There is still rugby.
CREDIT: https://rugby.byu.edu/wp-content/uplo...ships-2012.jpg
And these guys:
CREDIT: https://content.artofmanliness.com/up...anddiving1.jpg
Last edited by JoeyBike; 05-29-14 at 10:45 AM.
#7748
Senior Member
It has come to my attention that even macho professional bull riders have taken to protecting their neck-melons with headgear.
CREDIT: Professional Bull Riders - Head cases
This has me asking the question: "Are anti-helmet cyclists the LAST group of people on Earth living in denial that helmets are actually beneficial during a fall?" Granted, most bull riders are going to fall EVERY time they enjoy their "sport". And it does not stop there of course because there is still a REALLY p!$$3d-00f bull running around with revenge on his mind.
CREDIT: https://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/23...30be2f26d8.jpg
So...are we the dumbest lot of athletes? Further research shows that we are not. There is still rugby.
CREDIT: https://rugby.byu.edu/wp-content/uplo...ships-2012.jpg
And these guys:
CREDIT: https://content.artofmanliness.com/up...anddiving1.jpg
CREDIT: Professional Bull Riders - Head cases
This has me asking the question: "Are anti-helmet cyclists the LAST group of people on Earth living in denial that helmets are actually beneficial during a fall?" Granted, most bull riders are going to fall EVERY time they enjoy their "sport". And it does not stop there of course because there is still a REALLY p!$$3d-00f bull running around with revenge on his mind.
CREDIT: https://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/23...30be2f26d8.jpg
So...are we the dumbest lot of athletes? Further research shows that we are not. There is still rugby.
CREDIT: https://rugby.byu.edu/wp-content/uplo...ships-2012.jpg
And these guys:
CREDIT: https://content.artofmanliness.com/up...anddiving1.jpg
The difference between a sport and a daily routine is pretty significant when considering safety equipment
And I mean would you please point out an anti helmet person from this thread? I haven't seen one in a while. There are just those who are against the brainless (huehuehue...) frothy mouth rambling about a helmet preventing terrorist strikes and protecting freedom and also being an absolute life saver when an 18 wheeler drives over you. AND MHL's. Those are bad.
#7749
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you can always point towards me when in need of an anti
#7750
Tractorlegs
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Helmet wearers are a vast minority in New Orleans were I live. So I am probably desensitized to noticing much in the way of helmet misuse. We don't wear racing kits either. People who ride bikes for utilitarian purposes in NOLA do not even consider themselves "cyclists" any more than my wife who drives everywhere considers herself a "motorist". People need to get somewhere so they just grab their bikes wearing whatever they put on that morning and go. For city dwellers and commuters a bike is cheap to operate and park. It's not considered some special lifestyle by most. My wife jumps in her car to go to work and I jump on my bike without much thought about being part of some special group of travelers.
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