TimothyH

Let me ask you about racing and helmets. I'm asking out of ignorance. Not trying to challenge.

Triathlon rules state that you have to have a helmet on whenever you are on the bike. The general rule is that the helmet goes on first and comes off last, even in the transition area or before the race. If the marshal or organizer sees you on a bike without a helmet it is an automatic disqualify. Some are stricter than others.

Is there a similar rule on the track or UCI sanctioned events?

My guess is that such rules stem from liability but whatever the reason, helmet on before the leg goes over the top tube it is something I took to heart.

Just wondering about other race sanctioning bodies, that's all.

nightfly

Interesting article:

The Bike Helmet Paradox - The Atlantic

Would be curious to know about head injuries among people in bike share networks like Citibikes who for the most part don't wear helmets and aren't generally very experienced cyclists.

Huffandstuff

I rode my bike to the race Monday with my helmet in my backpack, no one really cares at OBRA races. It's only purpose is insurance liability, which makes sense that triathletes can't even look at a bike without a helmet on since they can barely ride a bike.

My belief is helmet or no helmet, the car is still going to hit you.

prooftheory

The cases where I have been glad to have a helmet haven't involved cars but there are at least two cases where I lost traction on the rear wheel and ended up sliding out and hitting the ground with enough force that my helmet hit the ground. It is possible that in both cases my head alone would not have hit the ground and it probably wouldn't have hit very hard. What would have happened though is that I would have scraped my face along the pavement for 15 feet. I attribute the preservation of my good looks to my helmet.

By the way, the most epic thread in all bike forums is the helmet thread in A & S.

caloso

I've been told by a USAC ref that every registered rider needs to wear a helmet anytime they're rolling on a bike at a race, even if it's in the parking lot, or risk DQ. I believe it's required by their insurance policy.

TejanoTrackie 

Yes. Actually, it's a USA Cycling requirement for all types of events (road, track, cross). If I'm caught riding my track bike from my car in the parking lot through the tunnel under the track and into the infield, I'll be disqualified from the event.

johnnytheboy

how are you guys so sure a helmet has saved your life?

TimothyH

Doesn't really require drama though.

REDMASTA

Might not of even made contact if no helmet was worn.

johnnytheboy

exactly.

Kindaslow

Any chance someone could PM me once this gets settled and we know who won?

taras0000

No one is going to make anyone wear a helmet. If you have to ask whether you should wear one or not, go ahead and and go without because you really don't get it. The only people that don't wear a helmet are those that are either too cool, value convenience over self preservation, or happen to be a Kardashian.

Basically look at the cost of wearing it versus not. It really should be an easy decision.

hairnet

If we're going in that direction, I think some people place too much emphasis in safety on helmets only. On Memorial Day I went out for an all day group ride consisting of mostly road with climbs and descents and some dirt climbs and descents. At the end of the ride one of the guys tells me he was worried about on the dirt descents because I didnt have a helmet. In his warped view I was in danger on the only parts of the ride where I was most confident and in the lead group of the ride, but I was totally ok by him on the 50 miles of road dealing with cars. I dont even know why he felt compelled to say anything, but it was odd that he was most concerned on the dirt portions.




in before lock cuz helmet thread

SCK

I wear one on every ride now. After I had the front wheel wash out on me and I did take a header so that helmet came in handy.

TejanoTrackie 

Well, I crashed in a race and suffered a major concussion that left me with permanent memory loss. The neurogist looked at what remained of my helmet and told me that the impact would certainly have resulted in serious if not fatal brain damage. Now, since it was a sanctioned race a helmet was mandatory, so there was no decision to be made. What you do is entirely your choice, just like riding brakeless. I choose to not tempt fate.

johnnytheboy

same thing happened to me....but i wasn't on a bike. 4yrs ago i got hit in the temple with a chunk of concrete. major concussion and permanent memory loss. guess i should been wearing a helmet that day.

TejanoTrackie 

The difference is that when you ride a bike you can expect that there's a possibility of an accident causing head injury. If you're just walking around not engaged in a risky activity, you don't expect a random injury. But like I said, I don't need your approval to wear a helmet, and you don't need mine to not wear one.

johnnytheboy

fwiw, i've been wearing my s-works prevail pretty much every ride these days.

Kindaslow

I wonder if my wife and I should wear helmets in the sack sometimes???

taras0000

SackHelmet?

Unkle Rico

I have a pretty lady that i come home to every night -- she wouldn't really dig me any more if half my head was missing. I always wear a helmut, no discussion.

SquidPuppet

Leukybear 

I believe OP has gotten the note at this point.