On Fri, 30 May 2003 23:20:08 +0100, Richard Burton <
[email protected]> wrote:
>
> "david" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
>
news:[email protected]...
>> I'm looking to buy a helmet for my mountian bike though I mainly ride it on the road. There so
>> many different makes and brands to choose from. Can anyone suggest a helmet that offers good
>> protection
>
> That's easy, there aren't any. The only thing a helmet will do is put a hole in your wallet and
> give you a false sense of security.
>
As an anti-compulsion, non-helmet wearer, I think I can disagree with this ;-)
In a serious accident, a helmet is unlikely to do any good at all. In some it might be a critical
factor, either in preventing, or causing, a serious injury.
In a minor accident OTOH, especially lower speed loss of control accidents
e.g. slipping on ice or oil, it may well make the difference between a cut head (maybe even
requiring stitches) or a nasty headache and a "the helmet saved my life" annecdote.
I've had one "serious" accident where my thick winter gloves took the brunt of the damage. While
probably not crippling, I would suspect that without the gloves the damage to my hands might have
permanently affected my ability to play the piano. However, I still don't wear thick winter gloves
for cycling except when it is cold enough to need thick winter gloves, in fact I suspect that
wearing gloves like that in summer would probably increase my risk of an accident as my hands would
get too hot and sweaty. (I had a similar problem with helmets when I used to wear them with salty
sweat running into my eyes and blinding me.)
I'm quite willing to accept the risk of a nasty cut/headache/concussion in exchange for avoiding MY
discomfort when wearing a helmet. Others either may not be prepared to accept these risks (and
parents may make the decision for their children) or may not cycle in a manner that leads to sweat
running down their face (either because they don't sweat as much or don't ride as hard) and also may
not notice the clip and strap under the chin or may be prepared to accept the (admittedly) minor
discomfort.
I think that anybody who makes a reasoned choice to wear a helmet can probably avoid the risk
compensation issues. But the pro-compulsion people, who put forward such ludicrous claims as
compusory helmets would prevent 80% or all bicycle fatailies, are likely only to influence the
unthinking (unknowing) majority who will just accept that a helmet is the panacea for all bicycle
related danger.
Would I continue to cycle if helmets were made compulsory? Yes. I would continue commuting as it is
considerably more pleasurable by bike than by car, even in the worst of weather. But I probably
wouldn't do as much social (pleasure) cycling. It doesn't take much for me not to go out at the
weekends as it is (I enjoy the cycling but I have more demands on my time than I can fulfil so
something always has to give) and a compulsory helmet might be enough to make a difference. I put in
about 300 miles a month commuting and 200 miles a month social so a helmet could well halve (half?)
my cycling.
Regards,
Tim.
--
God said, "div D = rho, div B = 0, curl E = - @B/@t, curl H = J + @D/@t," and there was light.
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