Cycling with/without a helmet (BBC News story)

[Kranky]

More discussion on this topic: http://projectmillen...bad-for-biking/

 

In the United States the notion that bike helmets promote health and safety by preventing head injuries is taken as pretty near God’s truth. Un-helmeted cyclists are regarded as irresponsible, like people who smoke…

 

But many European health experts have taken a very different view: Yes, there are studies that show that if you fall off a bicycle at a certain speed and hit your head, a helmet can reduce your risk of serious head injury. But such falls off bikes are rare — exceedingly so in mature urban cycling systems.

 

On the other hand, many researchers say, if you force or pressure people to wear helmets, you discourage them from riding bicycles. That means more obesity, heart disease and diabetes. And — Catch-22 — a result is fewer ordinary cyclists on the road, which makes it harder to develop a safe bicycling network.

 

Sports cycling or on South African roads (potholes and cars)/ underdeveloped cycling infrastructure without a doubt put a helmet on but European style commuting I feel it less important.

Edited November 5, 2012 by Goobacks

[Skylark]

I really really want to live in berlin now , 600kmof cycle paths...... Oh my that must be heaven...

[andydude]

This is how cycling looks like in Deutschland (pics from Der Spiegel).

 

Commuting

 

Bicycle parking at a railway station

 

Traffic officer specifically for cyclists – gives an instant ticket to cyclists (and others).

 

That bicycle officer looks like he's doping with those arteries popping out! And is he doing a pistol pete or a pistol contador?

[Eldron]

Helmets are a personal thing - when I ride in SA I feel naked without one (unless I'm tootling the 'hood with my brother in which case I enjoy the feeling of freedom).

 

When I rode France recently it seemed completely normal to grab a hire bike and ride - didn't even give a helmet a second thought.

 

Wearing a helmet should not be compulsory - it's your head - do with it what you like.

 

You cannot create common sense through law. Down with the nanny state!!!

 

Oh. I'm ranting again right? Time for more happy pills...

[Mojoman]

Looks rough over there if the 'Cycle Fuzz' have to carry a firearm!

[Kranky]

Looks rough over there if the 'Cycle Fuzz' have to carry a firearm!

 

My new role model. How is this guy not a meme?

[dracs]

That is a bit ott don't you think?

 

I never wore a helmet (age 6-15), but I was never training. All you as a kid do is ride around, go buy some sweets from the the shop and come back.

 

Never heard of a kid on a bicycle just riding around who got killed as a cause of not wearing a helmet.

I had a class mate who spent most of standard 4 in a coma and was never quite the same after that. He was "just riding around" on quiet suburban streets when he was knocked off his bike by a car and hit his head on the curb.

 

On the other hand, like most of us I never wore a helmet as a kid and rode everywhere, and yet here I am - but I reckon I got lucky (or rather didn't get unlucky). Not going gamble on keeping the roll going with my kids though.

[cajohnston]

My daughter never gets on her bike without her helmet and that will never change. Firstly I always wear mine so she can see and learn and second of all providing them with some perspective always helps.

 

She loves riding and always used to kick up a fuss about wearing a helmet until I came up with a practical solution...I told her to get on her knees and gently bump her head on the road she rides on (without her helmet). She didn't like that very much so i told her to do the same with the helmet and she was surprised that she couldn't feel anything and when I told her she must imagine bumping her head like that (without the helmet) but at the speed she rides her face just dropped and...magic, she refuses to ride without one.

 

I do agree it is a tough one though and what works for one is not going to work for another. i just feel it is a must, considering the cracked helmets I've seen before and imaging what would have become of that person if they were not wearing a helmet...

[Agteros]

This is how cycling looks like in Deutschland (pics from Der Spiegel).

 

Commuting

 

Bicycle parking at a railway station

 

Traffic officer specifically for cyclists – gives an instant ticket to cyclists (and others).

Helmet over the head for the blonde in the black .... that will be an absolute travesty of EVERYTHING!

[Agteros]

My daughter never gets on her bike without her helmet and that will never change. Firstly I always wear mine so she can see and learn and second of all providing them with some perspective always helps.

 

She loves riding and always used to kick up a fuss about wearing a helmet until I came up with a practical solution...I told her to get on her knees and gently bump her head on the road she rides on (without her helmet). She didn't like that very much so i told her to do the same with the helmet and she was surprised that she couldn't feel anything and when I told her she must imagine bumping her head like that (without the helmet) but at the speed she rides her face just dropped and...magic, she refuses to ride without one.

 

I do agree it is a tough one though and what works for one is not going to work for another. i just feel it is a must, considering the cracked helmets I've seen before and imaging what would have become of that person if they were not wearing a helmet...

My kid rides around on his bike WITHOUT a helmet in the complex. I raced buses, truck, tractors, bakkies, whatever without a helmet...

 

I remember something about research//comment regarding a helmet making you feel safer, and hence you take more risks....?

[cajohnston]

My kid rides around on his bike WITHOUT a helmet in the complex. I raced buses, truck, tractors, bakkies, whatever without a helmet...

 

I remember something about research//comment regarding a helmet making you feel safer, and hence you take more risks....?

 

Mine snuck out while we were busy and rode her bike in the complex (without her helmet) and crashed face first into a wall breaking her jaw in 3 places...she hasn't been this brave since wearing her helmet

[Kranky]

Mine snuck out while we were busy and rode her bike in the complex (without her helmet) and crashed face first into a wall breaking her jaw in 3 places...she hasn't been this brave since wearing her helmet

 

Does she have a full face helmet?

 

Always thought we should drive our cars with helmets.

[Red Zone]

My kids have seem me wearing my lid since the day they were born (well not quite, the wife wouldn't let me ride those days), I bought them helmets as soon as they got the little plastic bikes and wear them everywhere except when they do laps around the living room and in the garden. Its never been an issue, it just a case of helmets go with bikes.

 

I taught my son that no helmet means no brain, which he likes to repeat to cyclists when he sees them without a pip pot.

[cajohnston]

Does she have a full face helmet?

 

Always thought we should drive our cars with helmets.

 

Haha, nice one!

[Agteros]

 

Mine snuck out while we were busy and rode her bike in the complex (without her helmet) and crashed face first into a wall breaking her jaw in 3 places...she hasn't been this brave since wearing her helmet

 

Does she have a full face helmet?

 

Always thought we should drive our cars with helmets.

Normal helmet would not have done much for her jaw...

[cajohnston]

Normal helmet would not have done much for her jaw...

 

My point was referring people being taking more risks with a helmet than without. Unless she was wearing a ice hockey helmet with a grid not much would have helped I know. Sometimes hurting is the best way to learn i guess.