Donga wrote:
> Euan wrote:
>> Duracell Bunny wrote:
>>> Euan Wrote:
>>>> Duracell Bunny wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Shame you can't have a difference of opinion without resorting to
>>>> personal insults.
>>>> --
>>>> Cheers
>>>> EuanNot meant as an -ad hominem-, I assure you.
>>> It just appears your mind is utterly closed on this one. The damage to
>>> my helmet, and those of others on this forum, is proof enough to me
>>> that a helmet does improve chances of no damage or reduced damage (not
>>> guarantee, I'll admit) and does have no adverse effects on the wearer.
>>> I cannot see any reason at all for NOT wearing one.
>> You say potato I say potato. Here's a few to kick off.
>>
>> http://www.cycle-helmets.com/helmet_damage.html
>>
>> There is heaps of data demonstrating conclusively that mandating helmet
>> use has no effect, or worse makes cycling less safe. One of the safest
>> countries cycling wise is the Netherlands where wearing a helmet is rare.
>>
>> I point to facts, you claim superior knowledge through flawed anecdotal
>> `evidence' and I'm the one with a closed mind?
>> --
>> Cheers
>> Euan
>
> Is Netherlands data relevant to here? If you have thousands of
> commuters pootling about on norm bikes on flat roads at low speeds,
> they are hardly likely to need a helmet. Comparing potatoes with
> potatoes?
The Australian helmet standard is to protect the head in the event of a
fall from head height, that is if I'm decapitated the helmet need only
protect my the weight of my head falling to the ground. The added
leverage, weight etc of the body is not taken in to account.
Kinetic energy = Mass/2 * V^2.
IMO that makes helmets irrelevant at speed.
Let's be clear: I am not saying that helmets do not reduce injury. In
the event of a crash they may. What I'm saying is that it is very
unlikely that a helmet will save your life and believing that a helmet
may save your life is dangerous.
Focusing on helmets as a means of reducing cycling fatalities is doomed
to failure because helmets will not protect cyclists from the most
common cause of death to a cyclist; colliding with another vehicle. the
proof is in the population level data readily available to anyone who
cares to look.
The Netherlands understood this and concentrated on making cycling safer
so that the likelihood of colliding with other vehicles is reduced.
We'd do well to follow their example.
--
Cheers
Euan