Bicycle Helmets Put You at Risk »

Posted by: pagey 1 year, 8 months ago

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For years, cyclists who ride on city streets have cherished an unusual superstition: if they wear a helmet, they are more likely to get hit by a car. "I belong to an e-mail list for cyclists, and they complain about this all the time," says Ian Walker, a psychologist at the University of Bath who rides his bike to work every day. But coul

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Comments: 20

Avg rating: (+4/-0 4)
moemebe
Dec. 10, 2006, 10:20 p.m.
Interesting.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
stratton
Dec. 11, 2006, 9:48 a.m.
The reason the author was able to write that article after getting hit by a truck and a bus is BECAUSE he was wearing a helmet.
Fellow cyclists, you are FOOLS if you're not wearing a helmet when you ride. Road, or mountain. It's just as stupid as not wearing a seatbelt.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
tacoburger
Dec. 11, 2006, 9:56 a.m.
I have a solution. Wear a helmet, but also strap a rusty looking pipe horizontally under the seat or on the rear rack, extending to the street side. I've discovered that carrying anything on a bicycle that appears like it might scratch the paint job of a car that gets too close will keep cars far away. They are more concerned about damaging their cars than killing a cyclist. Also, if you zig-zag just a little, almost like you're drunk, they stay away.

1 Reply
- Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
  stratton
  Dec. 11, 2006, 10:26 a.m.
  LOL, your username is making me hungry!
Avg rating: (+5/-0 5)
natashas
Dec. 11, 2006, 10:41 a.m.
I think people pay attention to the village idiot. This cyclists should take another servey, this time with a monkey on their back. Mabby the cars would move even further away.
Avg rating: (+0/-1 -1)
MikeWesner
Dec. 11, 2006, 11:05 a.m.
I try to ride with a group whenever possible. That is not always an option for those riding for the purpose of transportation, I ride mostly for enjoyment/workout. When about 4 or more riders are together cars seem to respect your space a little more.
I have seen the helmet debate many times on cycling forums... I don't see how a helmet could harm you. Anything that can keep my skull from smacking into concrete at 20mph has to be a good thing.
Avg rating: (+0/-1 -1)
ck
Dec. 11, 2006, 11:17 a.m.
I hate bike helmets. I think it's because I never wore one when I was growing up. They weren't considered necessary back then. If you're hit by a car on a bike, you're pretty much dead either which way. If you flip off a bike, it's all going to depend on how you fall. Helmet on or not, it's easier to break your neck than to bust open your head.

2 Replies
- Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
  stratton
  Dec. 11, 2006, 11:20 a.m.
  Ignorant, uninformed, foolish.
- Avg rating: (+4/-0 4)
  titlesaysitall
  Dec. 11, 2006, 1:15 p.m.
  Yeah, I am not that fond of them either but hey we need them!
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
Tzefer
Dec. 11, 2006, 11:29 a.m.
Why not put a flashing led light on top a all bike helmets so they can be seen better. Of course no one would wear them because they would not look cool. Safety is good but no matter what you wear you get hit by a car or truck you are going to get hurt. How bad there is no way to tell. The helmet only will save your head on the first hit of the ground after that it will break and then no helmet. Try riding a motorcycle. The smart ones will wear lots of protective clothing and glasses. Helmets are still a choice in many states. Save lives yes and no. The helments have to be replaced after a few years because they break down and will shatter if hit. So as it always stands it should be the riders choice as it is with seat belts and air bags.
SO RIDE ON and watch out for the cars they are not watching for you.

1 Reply
- Avg rating: (+2/-0 2)
  B1BLancer
  Dec. 11, 2006, 6:40 p.m.
  That protection from the first impact just might be the one that makes the difference between riding another day and being fed through a tube the rest of your life.
Avg rating: (+2/-0 2)
kerrywon
Dec. 11, 2006, 12:47 p.m.
I've got the perfect solution. In addition to wearing a helmet(which you should wear at all times as here in Houston there are too many idiots behind the wheel talking on their phones not paying attention)wear a papoose carrier, or converted camelback with a plastic baby doll strapped in it. if this doesn't keep cars away, NOTHING will.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
eeyore4bikes
Dec. 11, 2006, 2:45 p.m.
An interesting point of view to be certain. I suppose that is why states with Share the Road campaigns are really pushing for the minimum 3 foot passing zone around cyclists. As a bike commuter, I have had a lot close calls, but my only incident has been with a "professional" driver from a courier service... Go Figure...
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
davo9
Dec. 11, 2006, 4:26 p.m.
*This comment is basicly for psychologist Ian Walker:
(in case he's reading these comments)
...
As a regular bicycle rider, I personally feel confined by a helmet.
My sensors: eyes, ears, skin and intuition, feel diminished by a helmet.
I am more afraid when I am wearing a helmet than when I am not.
(I am not accustomed to wearing baseball caps either or any headwear at all)
This is just my experience and personal opinion for myself.
I am not advocating that others not wear a helmet. (No need for insulting responses)
Helmets are indeed excellent for preventing severe head trauma in accidents.

1 Reply
- Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
  tacoburger
  Dec. 12, 2006, 2:30 a.m.
  We're talking about bicycle helmets here, which just cover the top of your skull, not full-face motorcycle helmets. Any subjective sensory diminishment you're feeling is psychosomatic.
  Still, even with full-face motorcycle helmets, you should be turning your neck and looking all around you constantly.
  As for hearing, with a motorcycle helmet, you wear ear plugs, unless you're crazy and want to end up deaf. So the helmet is the least of your problems concerning hearing. Nevertheless, I've never had problems hearing things on my motorcycle.
Avg rating: (+5/-0 5)
gwhite32
Dec. 11, 2006, 4:32 p.m.
How do we know that he wasn't subconsiously riding with greater
caution when he wasn't wearing a helmet. Seems that is as
reasonable a hypothesis as the drivers subconsiously being
less cautious when he was wearing the helmet.
Avg rating: (+12/-0 12)
JenMurdock
Dec. 11, 2006, 7:46 p.m.
There are some cyclists that don't know how to ride, and some drivers that are chickensh_ts and mess with cyclists. It takes all kinds. You have to drive very defensively when you are on a bike.