Are cycling helmets worth wearing? Studies, research and discussion

[jusali]

In New Zealand they are compulsory and it didn't bother me. Since coming back and having children I decided to wear a helmet and continue to do so.

As to their effectiveness I don't expect they are that brilliant in a high speed crash but falling off in a head/curb situation I know I would prefer a helmet.

I think the judge was wrong from reading the evidence and bringing in yet another law just doesn't sit easy with me. Risk should be assessed by each individual cyclist and let them accept the consequences.

 

[mauvais]

I think the judge was wrong, for the obvious reasons already pointed out.

However plenty of things should be compulsory for cyclists, like lights and high vis, because a lot of cyclists are idiots. I'd actually love to see the nanny state get more involved and punish them for endangering their lives and others for the sake of a few quid.

As for helmets, I'll always wear one because you don't know what kind of incident you're going to get into, and maybe it'll help. They're supposed to be good at up to 16mph or so, which doesn't sound like much, but even if you crash straight into a car, you'd hope that both of you reduced speed first. Have a browse around any bike news site like BikeRadar and tell me how many pictures you can find of people riding without helmets.

 

[HackneyE9]

Don't see any problem with the ruling really. And agree wearing a helmet should be law when on the road.

Spot the twat who doesn't know what he's talking about.

Helmets won't save you from anything other than falling off of your own accord at less than average cycling speed. The danger on the road to cyclists is from motorists hitting you.

In Berlin, where everyone cycles, I have yet to see a single helmet.

 

[pogofish]

Ridiculous. The motorcyclist is totally to blame because of his excessive speeding and poor road skills. The cyclist is under no legal obligation to wear a helmet.

Shite! The last time I looked, the vast majority of collisions were below 30mph and the motorcyclist was generally not at fault - right turning traffic in particular.

Although it is true that they gave higher profile to the relatively small number of high-speed crashes and you had to wade through 30-odd pages of report before you found the full figures.

There is a thread and link on it here if you want to look back.

 

[Bob_the_lost]

Shite! The last time I looked, the vast majority of collisions were below 30mph and the motorcyclist was generally not at fault - right turning traffic in particular.

Although it is true that they gave higher profile to the relatively small number of high-speed crashes and you had to wade through 30-odd pages of report before you found the full figures.

There is a thread and link on it here if you want to look back.

Did you read any of this thread because i can't make heads nor tails of your post there.

In this case the motorcyclist WAS at fault for a start...

 

[editor]

Shite! The last time I looked, the vast majority of collisions were below 30mph and the motorcyclist was generally not at fault - right turning traffic in particular.

*baffled

In Berlin, where everyone cycles, I have yet to see a single helmet.

Same for the Netherlands, where kids, Mums, old folks and everyone else happily pedal about without helmets.

 

[editor]

Wrong with a capital W.

This debate was done years ago with motorcycles and we all now accept that helmets save lives.

Why are you ignoring the research I posted up earlier?

 

[kyser_soze]

Excellent links ed - proper ammo in my ongoing battle with gf and mates who are always on my case about not wearing a helmet.

 

[Crispy]

Excellent links ed - proper ammo in my ongoing battle with gf and mates who are always on my case about not wearing a helmet.

I don't think the evidence is particularly strong in either direction. I wear a helmet, but I don't pretend it makes me invulnerable. Personally, I find the inconvenience minimal, so I figure any safety increase that may exist is worth taking advantage of.

As for Dr. Walker's research into overtaking, I'd like to see a wider study (ie. multiple cyclists, multiple locations) in order to better understand and isolate the many possible causes of overtaking clearance differnces.

 

[kyser_soze]

This is pretty good - loads of stuff...

http://www.cyclehelmets.org/

 

[Agent Sparrow]

Only anecdotal, but the first time I forgot my helmet I experienced the most aggressive, intmididating bit of overtaking by speeding I've yet experienced.

 

[Crispy]

This is pretty good - loads of stuff...

http://www.cyclehelmets.org/

That site just sounds like indignant propaganda though. And so do many pro-helmet sources. Critically, the available research is badly done, but this means that there is no certain answer to the question.

I don't think it's an issue worth getting angry about, so I don't judge other people for their helmet choice at all.

 

[kyser_soze]

I have to deal with two Aussies and a Saffir bemoaning my choice (only one of whom regularly cycles, which makes it even richer) who all come from 'You have to wear a helmet' places.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

One of the things from kyser's link...

Because cycling in the USA is exactly comparable to cycling in the Netherlands...

 

[Upchuck]

Helmets should be compulsery if you cycling on the road. Like seatbelts for cars.

I think you are to blame for some of your injuries if your not taking proper procautions.
dave

^ agree with this. I am always surprised to see cyclists in traffic without a helmet or head protection. I agree that if cycling in the road they should be compulsory, and I don't buy all this 'research' saying drivers drive closer to cyclists wearing helmet. I mean, wtf is that supposed to mean. Motorists don't mind knocking them over if they are helmeted? I think that's bollocks.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

^ agree with this. I am always surprised to see cyclists in traffic without a helmet or head protection. I agree that if cycling in the road they should be compulsory, and I don't buy all this 'research' saying drivers drive closer to cyclists wearing helmet. I mean, wtf is that supposed to mean. Motorists don't mind knocking them over if they are helmeted? I think that's bollocks.

Tbf, I would be very surprised if people didn't subconsciously change their behaviour towards other road users based on things like this and wider variables, but as to the direction of this or the between group differences, I wouldn't have a clue myself. That would obviously be why good research is needed.

 

[Upchuck]

Well I always speed up when I see elderley on a crossing

 

[kyser_soze]

^ agree with this. I am always surprised to see cyclists in traffic without a helmet or head protection. I agree that if cycling in the road they should be compulsory, and I don't buy all this 'research' saying drivers drive closer to cyclists wearing helmet. I mean, wtf is that supposed to mean. Motorists don't mind knocking them over if they are helmeted? I think that's bollocks.

So you didn't bother reading any of it then.

Worth pointing out that the Drs research has been:

This research has been accepted for publication in Accident Analysis & Prevention, the world's top-rated peer-reviewed ergonomics journal.

So he's not just been fucking around or owt.

 

[Upchuck]

You have a point. I nonetheless fail to understand why anyone would go into traffic on a pushbike without a helmet to cover their scone. TBF IMO it is irresponsible in the extreme

 

[kyser_soze]

You have a point. I nonetheless fail to understand why anyone would go into traffic on a pushbike without a helmet to cover their scone. TBF IMO it is irresponsible in the extreme

Then I'm irresponsible in the extreme.

 

[maomao]

You have a point. I nonetheless fail to understand why anyone would go into traffic on a pushbike without a helmet to cover their scone. TBF IMO it is irresponsible in the extreme

When all available evidence suggests it doesn't give much of an advantage and may in fact prove a disadvantage in some cases.

 

[Crispy]

You have a point. I nonetheless fail to understand why anyone would go into traffic on a pushbike without a helmet to cover their scone. TBF IMO it is irresponsible in the extreme

The thing is, the actaul effectiveness of cycle helmets in preventing serious injury is disputed and the available research is flawed.

 

[Upchuck]

Then I'm irresponsible in the extreme.

Careful, that may be used against you should you have a spill and end up in court. innit

 

[mauvais]

What's the argument for NOT wearing one?

 

[Crispy]

What's the argument for NOT wearing one?

comfort and convenience

 

[maomao]

Remember Upchuck, that a cycling hemet does not provide the same protection as a full or even half crash helmet. It's just a bit of covering for the top of your noggin which is not somewhere that you're likely to hit in a low speed crash anyway (believe me, I've fallen off enough bikes and not so much as scratched my head). In addition the way they are shaped at the back to reduce air resistance may in some cases increase the chance of neck injury.

 

[kyser_soze]

And not looking like a twat.

FWIW, the only times I've come off my bike I've generally landed on knees, elbows and hands, not on my head. While I occassionally wear gloves, I haven't taken to wearing knee and elbow protection, which logically if you're going to wear a helmet would be the next step...

 

[rubbershoes]

rubbershoes, may I suggest that you read the article again. The judge clearly stated that the lack of a helmet did not contribute to the injury.



Why therefore is he applying contributory negligence when it is not causative of the injury?

the judge did not find there was contrib.

 

[mauvais]

I don't get the comfort thing. It's never been uncomfortable. In the summer it gets a bit hot but that's the least of my problems. In fact it keeps the sun out of my eyes, and in the winter it provides a way to put a light on my head.

Convenience, meh. Leave it with the bike if necessary.

As for not looking like a twat, boards aside, cyclists hardly look awesome anyway. Like I said before, look around the bike sites or any magazine and they're all wearing them. Are the pro mountain bikers and TdF lot all twats or what?

 

[Agent Sparrow]

I wear a helmet and like my bf to wear a helmet because I've learnt enough about brain injury to want to reduce the chances of me/my loved ones getting a serious one. On the other hand, I no doubt overestimate the protection it gives me, particularly reading what I think geri posted about helmets not being any good for over 12mph.

I have accepted the fact that cycling (in winter anyway) makes me look like a nerd.