No Helmet -- Nice!
#151
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In 1977 I started wearing a Bell Biker on my 15 mile urban commute because I thought drivers would take notice and give me a wider berth. Then I fastened a mirror to the helmet so I could see what was going on behind me. I couldn’t imagine driving my car without rear view mirrors, so why not the bike? Just became a habit from that point on. The helmet I was wearing a few years ago when I went over the bars and landed on my head is split down the middle from the point of contact at my forehead. It hangs near my bikes in the shed. I don’t think I’ve forgotten a helmet since.
#152
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If you get hit by a lifted pickup a styrofoam cap won't help you. At all.
There is a great pleasure in riding without a styrofoam cap. I ride MUP's to work on a rigid bike with 2.5 tires. I never wear a helmet and it is glorious. I also noticed that looking back and hearing cars coming is greatly enhanced without the helmet. Try it and see!
There is not doubt that at least some (or a good part) of "helmet culture" is supported by the helmet industry (or the car industry to prevent more people from cycling if you believe the conspiracy theorists).
If you look at the stats for real (not the regularly quoted close calls or "doctors say") the jury is still way out on their efficacy.
There is a great pleasure in riding without a styrofoam cap. I ride MUP's to work on a rigid bike with 2.5 tires. I never wear a helmet and it is glorious. I also noticed that looking back and hearing cars coming is greatly enhanced without the helmet. Try it and see!
There is not doubt that at least some (or a good part) of "helmet culture" is supported by the helmet industry (or the car industry to prevent more people from cycling if you believe the conspiracy theorists).
If you look at the stats for real (not the regularly quoted close calls or "doctors say") the jury is still way out on their efficacy.
1. We have a helmet law here in Spokane
2. The risk vs. reward is like wearing a seatbelt. It doesn't make you one of the cool-kids or edgy to not wear one.
Comparisons to Holland are inappropriate because the cycling culture there is so much different - there are more bikes than cars. Here we live in the land of SUVs and lifted pickups who aren't always used to driving around bikes.
You're correct that a helmet is not a substitute for safe riding habits but it is a VERY MINOR inconvenience compared to a (no exaggeration) potentially life threatening head injury caused by a collision totally outside of the rider's control (eg - you can be the best, safest, slowest rider in the world and still get messed up)
2. The risk vs. reward is like wearing a seatbelt. It doesn't make you one of the cool-kids or edgy to not wear one.
Comparisons to Holland are inappropriate because the cycling culture there is so much different - there are more bikes than cars. Here we live in the land of SUVs and lifted pickups who aren't always used to driving around bikes.
You're correct that a helmet is not a substitute for safe riding habits but it is a VERY MINOR inconvenience compared to a (no exaggeration) potentially life threatening head injury caused by a collision totally outside of the rider's control (eg - you can be the best, safest, slowest rider in the world and still get messed up)
#153
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If you get hit by a lifted pickup a styrofoam cap won't help you. At all.
There is a great pleasure in riding without a styrofoam cap. I ride MUP's to work on a rigid bike with 2.5 tires. I never wear a helmet and it is glorious. I also noticed that looking back and hearing cars coming is greatly enhanced without the helmet. Try it and see!
There is not doubt that at least some (or a good part) of "helmet culture" is supported by the helmet industry (or the car industry to prevent more people from cycling if you believe the conspiracy theorists).
If you look at the stats for real (not the regularly quoted close calls or "doctors say") the jury is still way out on their efficacy.
There is a great pleasure in riding without a styrofoam cap. I ride MUP's to work on a rigid bike with 2.5 tires. I never wear a helmet and it is glorious. I also noticed that looking back and hearing cars coming is greatly enhanced without the helmet. Try it and see!
There is not doubt that at least some (or a good part) of "helmet culture" is supported by the helmet industry (or the car industry to prevent more people from cycling if you believe the conspiracy theorists).
If you look at the stats for real (not the regularly quoted close calls or "doctors say") the jury is still way out on their efficacy.
#154
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How in the heck has this thread remained in the Commuting forum for two whole months?
This should have been packed away to the Helmet Thread long ago.
This should have been packed away to the Helmet Thread long ago.
#157
born again cyclist
i have loved three helmets over the course of my bike commuting career.
the one i currently have, and the two that were destroyed when my head collided with the pavement after being struck by a motor vehicle.
the one i currently have, and the two that were destroyed when my head collided with the pavement after being struck by a motor vehicle.
#158
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If nothing else, my helmet is for another layer of visibility. One of those bright chartreuse Garneau things that Performance sells. I find on my commute that when cars are coming out of driveways or their vision of me is somehow blocked, I can stand on the pedals and let them see the helmet coming. It seems to work (along with eye contact).
That Dutch video is great. I wonder, though, if Dutch bicycles are considered vehicles, as here.
That Dutch video is great. I wonder, though, if Dutch bicycles are considered vehicles, as here.
#159
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If nothing else, my helmet is for another layer of visibility. One of those bright chartreuse Garneau things that Performance sells. I find on my commute that when cars are coming out of driveways or their vision of me is somehow blocked, I can stand on the pedals and let them see the helmet coming. It seems to work (along with eye contact).
#160
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Wow you must have a lot of natural protection of all your internal organs and femoral arteries if your skull is the most vulnerable part of your body. When a lifted pickup hits you, it doesn't aim for your styrofoam cap.
Here's a brain surgeon's view:
https://www.cnet.com/news/brain-surg...cycle-helmets/
Here's a brain surgeon's view:
https://www.cnet.com/news/brain-surg...cycle-helmets/
Last edited by canuckjgc; 09-27-18 at 01:24 PM.
#161
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Wow you must have a lot of natural protection of all your internal organs and femoral arteries if your skull is the most vulnerable part of your body. When a lifted pickup hits you, it doesn't aim for your styrofoam cap.
Here's a brain surgeon's view:
https://www.cnet.com/news/brain-surg...cycle-helmets/
Here's a brain surgeon's view:
https://www.cnet.com/news/brain-surg...cycle-helmets/
#162
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To the OP:
I know exactly what you mean. There is a certain joy to not having anything on your head.
Forgive me for not reading any of the previous 7 pages of responses, I am sure it covers a lot of new ground with insights And opinions I have never read before.
I know exactly what you mean. There is a certain joy to not having anything on your head.
Forgive me for not reading any of the previous 7 pages of responses, I am sure it covers a lot of new ground with insights And opinions I have never read before.
#163
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lol, you're so missing out! The innovation, the creativity, this thread has it all!
#165
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Today I did some errands on my commuter bike. As I was coming back home, about 20 mins after leaving the last shop, I noticed something strange about my head. I had left my helmet at the counter. Went back and there it was.
Guess after riding 50+ years without helmets, I haven't really incorporated them yet.
Guess after riding 50+ years without helmets, I haven't really incorporated them yet.
#166
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Wow you must have a lot of natural protection of all your internal organs and femoral arteries if your skull is the most vulnerable part of your body. When a lifted pickup hits you, it doesn't aim for your styrofoam cap.
Here's a brain surgeon's view:
https://www.cnet.com/news/brain-surg...cycle-helmets/
Here's a brain surgeon's view:
https://www.cnet.com/news/brain-surg...cycle-helmets/
Worse, he pointed to research from the UK's University of Bath that said the mere presence of cyclists wearing helmets makes car drivers feel they are safer.
#167
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My logic for wearing a bike helmet - If I fall off my bike and hit my head, it would be better protected if I was wearing a helmet.
Here's an article backing-up my assertion
Here's an article backing-up my assertion
#168
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It all boils down to risk assessment and subjective feel of "safety".
If humans could live for 10,000 years, then even cycing itself would be an unnacceptably risky sport, since you are most likely to get killed, or become an invalid within your first 5,000 years of cycling.
However, that is not the case. So, while cycling itself has its risks, just like cycling without a helmet does, I'm all for helmets not being obligatory. However stupid it may sound, I've trained judo as a small kid and it's helped me never hit my head, or break any bone, after decades of football, cycling and motorcycling. And I do fall down A LOT. Really. Been hit by cars too - never hit my head.
On the other hand, I've seen people fall down on flat pavement, while on foot, and hit their head real bad. For them it would be wise to wear a helmet when walking.
I wear a helmet on group rides, since I assume there's a lot more chance of things going wrong (10 tightly packed cyclists, if either of them in front of you goes down, you are likely to go down too, in a pile of other cyclists, hitting you and potentially preventing tuck and roll body movement). When riding solo - almost never. Don't like it and consider the extra risk too small to warrant it - just like I don't wear a helmet when walking.
I also teach my kid to think ahead, access risks and take responsibility for their actions and choices.
If humans could live for 10,000 years, then even cycing itself would be an unnacceptably risky sport, since you are most likely to get killed, or become an invalid within your first 5,000 years of cycling.
However, that is not the case. So, while cycling itself has its risks, just like cycling without a helmet does, I'm all for helmets not being obligatory. However stupid it may sound, I've trained judo as a small kid and it's helped me never hit my head, or break any bone, after decades of football, cycling and motorcycling. And I do fall down A LOT. Really. Been hit by cars too - never hit my head.
On the other hand, I've seen people fall down on flat pavement, while on foot, and hit their head real bad. For them it would be wise to wear a helmet when walking.
I wear a helmet on group rides, since I assume there's a lot more chance of things going wrong (10 tightly packed cyclists, if either of them in front of you goes down, you are likely to go down too, in a pile of other cyclists, hitting you and potentially preventing tuck and roll body movement). When riding solo - almost never. Don't like it and consider the extra risk too small to warrant it - just like I don't wear a helmet when walking.
I also teach my kid to think ahead, access risks and take responsibility for their actions and choices.
#169
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irregardless, the point of the OP was not to debate helmet efficaciousness, but to note how much more pleasant it is to ride without a helmet.
#170
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Yes, but once you utter "helmet" three times, you summon the helmet debate spirits, and once dead arguments rise from the grave to haunt us.
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#172
Banned
I've missed this ****fest, can someone get up to date so that I can, er, um, contribute?
#173
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? Are you saying you want to give me money?
#175
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The guy in this photo is me, this is traffic camera footage. Car ran red light at high speed. I could not see it coming behind that red honda. My helmet was smashed to bits. Got away easy with open fracture of tibia and fibula of the left leg, got a nice titanium rode in my leg almost free of charge. Bike did not make it.