First Helmet : jury is out.

Walter Mitty said:

Hmm. Just bought a cycling helmet for my last short tour
which encompassed quite a bit of city cycling. Never wore
one before : don't think I will again.

The added noise and irritation that the helment causes
more than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case of
a spill by deducting from my usual spacial awareness.

I don't know. I still refuse to believe that the helmet
won't help in a spill, but wonder if the %chance of it
helping offsets the % increase in likelihood of an
accident due to lower awareness levels.

When our Mandatory Helmet Law came in in 1994 I complied,
even though I was dubious. (Very few data then, just a lot
of handwringing and 'it will save costs in the long run --'😉
I also thought the helmet would detract from road and
traffic awareness, hearing etc. I found actually that my
hearing was enhanced, so that I often thought a car was
behind me where there wasn't one. (Perhaps "distorted" is a
better word). Statistics about whether helmets help in the
overall scheme of things seem to be very confused and
contradictory, which is probably just another way of saying
that helmets have a very minor part to play in overall
safety of bicycling. However, they make fertile fodder for
yet another "Helmet war"!!! And you are right, they are very
uncomfortable and irritating. So I would like the mandatory
law repealed and leave it up to the individual, and
encourage measures for bicycling safety which really work.

Peter

--
This transmission is certified free of viruses as no
Microsoft products were used in its preparation or
propagation.

My first helmet , in 1982, was bulky and un-comfortable. So
it spent all of its time on the top shelf in the closet. One
afternoon in 1987 I'm out tearing around the hilly part of
my favorite loop when my front tire hit a small rock. This
upset the bike just enough to spill me over to the side at
18 mph. I landed on my head, followed by elbow, shoulder,
and thigh. The guys that helped me out were alarmed at the
amount of blood coming from my head and my in-coherence.
Seems that when my head hit the pavement, my hair tore some
skin away from my scalp, and the ER doc described "darning"
it back together with sutures. Funny how the memory of
getting gravel picked out of my head , along with other
details is still vivid 17 years later. My current helmet is
light and far more comfortable than was available 22 years
ago. I don't leave home without it. When I wear a winter hat
under it (on those cooold rides!) I lose quite a bit of my
awareness, otherwise I don't even notice it. Derek

Walter Mitty wrote:
:: Hmm. Just bought a cycling helmet for my last short tour
:: which encompassed quite a bit of city cycling. Never wore
:: one before : don't think I will again.
::
:: The added noise and irritation that the helment causes
:: more than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case of
:: a spill by deducting from my usual spacial awareness.

What noise and irritation? Regardless of any merits about
safety, I find my helmet comfortable. If I ride without it,
I feel as though I'm not wearing my seatbelt.

::
:: I don't know. I still refuse to believe that the helmet
:: won't help in a spill, but wonder if the %chance of it
:: helping offsets the % increase in likelihood of an
:: accident due to lower awareness levels.

Surely you can imagine the sitaution in a spill were a
helmet might help. Even if it won't save my life in a full
head collision with the road, I'll take what little
protection it does offer. Given all the riding I plan to do
my options seem limited. 1) come away dead, 2) come away
extremely messed up, 3) come away with some skin removed and
some stuff broken. So if my helmet helps with situation 3,
I'll be happy. In either of the other two options, the
helmet thing will be a moot point.

Plus, it looks cool....bicycle peacock thing.....IMO. 🙂

"Walter Mitty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hmm. Just bought a cycling helmet for my last short tour
which encompassed quite a bit of city cycling. Never wore
one before : don't think I will again.

Geez, now you did it. :-)

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hmm. Just bought a cycling helmet for my last short tour
which encompassed quite a bit of city cycling. Never wore
one before : don't think I will again.

The added noise and irritation that the helment causes
more than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case of
a spill by deducting from my usual spacial awareness.

I don't know. I still refuse to believe that the helmet
won't help in a spill, but wonder if the %chance of it
helping offsets the % increase in likelihood of an
accident due to lower awareness levels.

Maybe for some people; I think the one I have does make a
little more wind noise than riding without it. I wear mine
all the time, but have become less of an advocate than I
used to be.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in
the newsgroups if possible).

Peter Keller said:

When our Mandatory Helmet Law came in in 1994 I complied,
even though I was dubious. (Very few data then, just a lot
of handwringing and 'it will save costs in the long run
--'😉 I also thought the helmet would detract from road and
traffic awareness, hearing etc. I found actually that my
hearing was enhanced, so that I often thought a car was
behind me where there wasn't one. (Perhaps "distorted" is
a better word).

Most certainly is distorted!

Quoted message said:

The added noise and irritation that the helment causes more
than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case of a
spill by deducting from my usual spacial awareness.

I don't seem to have that problem. Of course, after wearing
my helmet so routinely, I barely notice it even with it on.

Walter Mitty said:

Hmm. Just bought a cycling helmet for my last short tour
which encompassed quite a bit of city cycling. Never wore
one before : don't think I will again.

The added noise and irritation that the helment causes
more than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case of
a spill by deducting from my usual spacial awareness.

I don't know. I still refuse to believe that the helmet
won't help in a spill, but wonder if the %chance of it
helping offsets the % increase in likelihood of an
accident due to lower awareness levels.

I've walked away from two accidents because of cheap, but
effective $20 Bell helmets, and I've also had a hundred
facial stitches and dental reconstruction because I didn't
wear one...

Fit is everything, I've got a huge melon and the cheap Bells
actually fit me the best. I don't even feel like I'm wearing
anything, and they keep the rain off of my glasses, the sun
off of my shaved skull, and best of all redirect the sweat
from my eyes.

Fit fit fit! 🙂 You really shouldn't be buggered by the
thing, and it should "disappear" after a couple minutes of
use. Make sure it sits low enough in front and you don't
wear it like a bloody yarmulke. 😉

I do think those old "leather hairnets" looked a hell of a
lot cooler though!

😄

It's your choice certainly--I often do go helmetless for a
short jaunts and I'm aware of the risks, but do try out a
few more lids.

btw, I'm not really accident prone--just put in a lot of
urban miles and a lot of night miles (with full lights,
but still...)

On Mon, 10 May 2004 10:32:56 +0200, Walter Mitty <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I don't know. I still refuse to believe that the helmet
won't help in a spill, but wonder if the %chance of it
helping offsets the % increase in likelihood of an accident
due to lower awareness levels.

I wear my bike helmet for one reason only. It's black, and
it seems to scare the peds on the bike trail when I come
zipping by. (I'm thinking of adding viking horns).

-B

maxo wrote in part:

<< ...and I've also had a hundred facial stitches and dental
reconstruction because I didn't wear one... >>

Only if your helmet is a full-face model, unfortunately.
Even Thompson, Rivara, Thompson admit that regular
bicycle helmets do not prevent or reduce severity of
common facial injuries.

Robert

| It would have| It would have| It would have| It would
| have| It would have|
It would have| It would have| It would have| It would have|
It would have| It would have| It would have| It would have|
It would have| It would have

The conspiracy of ignorance masquerades as common sense.

"maxo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| On Mon, 10 May 2004 14:54:29 +0000, R15757 wrote:
|
| > maxo wrote in part:
| >
| > << ...and I've also had a hundred facial stitches and
| > dental reconstruction because I didn't wear one... >>
| >
| >
| > Only if your helmet is a full-face model, unfortunately.
| > Even Thompson,
Rivara,
| > Thompson admit that regular bicycle helmets do not
| > prevent or reduce
severity
| > of common facial injuries.
| >
| > Robert
|
| It would have prevented most of my forehead injuries,
| nose, but perhaps not the teeth--it was a sliding forward
| on the pavement type impact, vs. a full face plant.
| Would've prevented the concussion, too. I was an unusual
| wreck: a huge SUV drove straight into the back of me and
| sent me flying. Wierd thing is though: the bike survived
| with only torn tape. Those old Univegas are tough! 😉
|
| On the moto, I always wear the full face--I switched when
| a pal walked away after a seemingly deathly wreck wearing
| hers and said: it's pretty cool to see the road fly by
| through the visor 🙂
|
| Now if I could only get shorts in a lycra/leather blend...
|

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]... <snip>

Quoted message said:

:: The added noise and irritation that the helment causes
:: more than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case
:: of a spill by deducting from my usual spacial
:: awareness.

What noise and irritation? Regardless of any merits about
safety, I find

my

Quoted message said:

helmet comfortable. If I ride without it, I feel as
though I'm not

wearing

Quoted message said:

my seatbelt.

Interesting ... I've heard similar statements before. I
wonder if there is a "security blanket" effect associated
with helmets. I can see how wearing a "magic foam hat"
fundamentally wouldn't be any different than a cave man
wearing a talisman around his neck while going into battle.

C.Q.C.

Q. wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:: "]news:[email hidden]... <snip>
::::: The added noise and irritation that the helment causes
::::: more than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case
::::: of a spill by deducting from my usual spacial
::::: awareness.
:::
::: What noise and irritation? Regardless of any merits
::: about safety, I find my helmet comfortable. If I ride
::: without it, I feel as though I'm not wearing my
::: seatbelt.
::
:: Interesting ... I've heard similar statements before. I
:: wonder if there is a "security blanket" effect associated
:: with helmets. I can see how wearing a "magic foam hat"
:: fundamentally wouldn't be any different than a cave man
:: wearing a talisman around his neck while going into
:: battle.

Well, seatbelts can save lives, even if helmets mostly
don't.

Walter Mitty said:

Hmm. Just bought a cycling helmet for my last short tour
which encompassed quite a bit of city cycling. Never wore
one before : don't think I will again.

The added noise and irritation that the helment causes
more than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case of
a spill by deducting from my usual spacial awareness.

I agree with your cost/benefit analysis, however as a
regular motorcyclist I will say this:

You can make peace with your helmet if it is important to
you to do so. You will have to meddle with it to obtain a
scrupulously thorough fit, even to the point of using the
back of a spoon to squish your helmet where it squishes you.
And you will have to wear it, a lot, until you are no longer
annoyed by its particular sensory inputs.

I say this as a person who does not wear a helmet when
riding a bicycle unless in jest, and who often went without
a motorcycle helmet whan that was an option. I'm not fond of
helmets, but I can attest that they do not have to spoil the
pleasure of riding if you are willing to fit them properly
and get used to them.

Chalo Colina

On Mon, 10 May 2004 06:21:38 -0400, "Roger Zoul"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

What noise and irritation? Regardless of any merits about
safety, I find my helmet comfortable.

I used to think the same until I started riding without more
of the time and found out just how much cooler and more
comfortable my head
is. Especially when toiling up long hills.

Quoted message said:

If I ride without it, I feel as though I'm not wearing my
seatbelt.

Risk compensation theory proved once again :-)

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

On Mon, 10 May 2004 13:26:53 GMT, maxo <[email hidden]> wrote in
message <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

I've walked away from two accidents because of cheap, but
effective $20 Bell helmets, and I've also had a hundred
facial stitches and dental reconstruction because I didn't
wear one...

I've walked away from four accidents with varying degrees of
head injury. The two worst, one requiring sutures and one an
overnight stay in hospital and extensive facial bruising,
were due to a low doorway in an old mill, and an assault in
a chilren's playground, respectively. The ones where bikes
were involved, my life was presumably saved by my protective
headgear, in the usual fashion. In one case the headgear in
question was a knitted acrylic balaclava, in the other it
was one of those old-fashioned leather racing helmets (the
bunch of bananas style) which of course are completely
ineffective except in preventing road rash on the head.

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

I don't even know if helmets are a law in Pennsylvania, but
I wear one. I don't know why, but if I were to ride a
motorcycle, I probably wouldn't, but my bicycle I wear one.
Just seems too dangerous in the city. I found you need to
try on a bunch of helmets to get one that is very
comfortable. It is not always the most expensive one. I am
currently riding with an old Giro from the 80's, but am
looking at a new one. Many of the expensive ones I didn't
like. That is a good thing.

Curt

"Walter Mitty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
online.com...

Quoted message said:

Hmm. Just bought a cycling helmet for my last short tour
which encompassed quite a bit of city cycling. Never wore
one before : don't think I will again.

The added noise and irritation that the helment causes
more than offsets the "possible" help it gives in case of
a spill by deducting from my usual spacial awareness.

I don't know. I still refuse to believe that the helmet
won't help in a spill, but wonder if the %chance of it
helping offsets the % increase in likelihood of an
accident due to lower awareness levels.

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Given all the riding I plan to do my options seem
limited. 1) come away dead, 2) come away extremely messed
up, 3) come away with some skin removed and some stuff
broken. So if my helmet helps with situation 3, I'll be
happy. In either of the other two options, the helmet
thing will be a moot point.

??

There's certainly another option. Ride competently.
Don't crash.

It's worked for me for several decades now.

-- Frank Krygowski

Frank Krygowski wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:: news:<[email hidden]>...
::: Given all the riding I plan to do my options seem
::: limited. 1) come away dead, 2) come away extremely
::: messed up, 3) come away with some skin removed and some
::: stuff broken. So if my helmet helps with situation 3,
::: I'll be happy. In either of the other two options, the
::: helmet thing will be a moot point.
::
:: ??
::
:: There's certainly another option. Ride competently.
:: Don't crash.
::
:: It's worked for me for several decades now.

That's good to know, actually, and I plan to do
exactly that! 🙂