Riding without a helmet

[Patchelicious]

Riding with no pants could seriously damage your other head....

Only if you are McLovin

[Stefalbertyn]

Stef, for the sake of balance I cannot let the article you quoted go unchallenged:

 

My honest opinion is that it selectively quotes unsound conclusions from scientific studies that were not meant to assess helmet efficiency, to justify not wearing a helmet. Scientifically speaking, the facts it bases its argument on are inappropriate for the hypothesis and therefore the conclusion is fatally flawed. There are many articles like that on the internet and I view them as irresponsible, possibly leading beginners to endanger themselves.

 

At the end of the day, it is still your choice whether to use a helmet or not. I will never challenge you on that point, here or in person, but I will challenge your promotion of a skewed belief that a helmet is useless or inappropriate for cycling in general.

 

I see some areas of cycling where I think a helmet is probably not of much use, like on a commute on a dedicated cycle lane in Holland. Riding on our SA roads, or anywhere on the mountain, common sense should be all the motivation one needs to use a lid. The downhillers and BMXers understand the value of a helmet during a crash, and logic tells me it will help in most other crashes too.

 

Personally, I wear mine, and I insist my kids do too. What you do is your own business, but I will ask you at least not to encourage others to ride without a helmet.

I have agree with you - well put - offcourse it should always be safer to wear a helmet, but there is anoyher side to the story!

And thanks for not telling me to crawl back under my rock or that I contribute to the ZA lawless wasteland

[lechatnoir]

I'm going with those that have been saved from death or serious injury because they wore a helmet.

[Pure Savage]

Reflectors on the bike is not a za law, neither is a bell, that's from some euro countries. You need a front and rear light in SA.

 

Are you sure 68cm, I just measured it out.

 

 

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[BlackSnow]

Graphic content... I had a OTB recently and had a fox flux helmet on. The pic speaks 1000 words. I can just imagine a crash without a helmet. STUPID STUPID STUPID if you think you are too cool/wize ass to wear one.

[BlackSnow]

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[Guest notmyname]

My daughters always look at me funny, when I point out to them the twats on programs like Ridiculousness or Home Videos, that are attempting potentially life threatening shite, sans a helmet...

 

2 weeks back, my eldest wanted to go out for a pedal, and within a km, she hit a rut and ran out of talent real quick. OTB and lots of sliding on gravel.

 

She landed on her head and then transferred the impact to her left shoulder. My first thought was collar bone gone!

 

The S3 took it well, even though it was cracked through out the left hand side stays. She had no facial injuries, but wouldn't let me photograph the roasties on her hip and thigh. She did let me photo her shoulder.

 

Please see attached.

 

Last night they wanted to go swimming at the club house, & before I could say anything, those lids were on!

 

Lesson learnt me thinks...

 

IMG_9739.JPG IMG_9742.JPG IMG_9743.JPG IMG_9759.JPG

Lucky man. That's a sweet roasties.

[Stefalbertyn]

Reflectors on the bike is not a za law, neither is a bell, that's from some euro countries. You need a front and rear light in SA.

 

Are you sure 68cm, I just measured it out.

 

 

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Yes I am sure - I use a 5XL motorcycle helmet

 

Reflectors & Bell is law:

My Source:

National Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and the Road Traffic Regulations

Read a summary here:

http://www.bicyclecapetown.org/bike-law/rules-of-the-road/

 

 

311.

 

(1)        No person shall ride a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is seated astride on the saddle of such pedal cycle.

 

186. White retro-reflectors to be fitted on front of certain vehicles

(3) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the front of such cycle a white retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192.

187.Red retro-reflectors to be fitted on rear of certain vehicles 

(4) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the rear of such cycle a red retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192.

201. Warning devices (1) Subject to the provisions of sections 58(3)and 60 of the Act, no person shall operate on a public road – (b) a pedal cycle, unless it is equipped with an efficient warning device which is in good working order and, when used, capable of giving adequate warning of its approach;

[Guest notmyname]

.

[Jigghead]

There's a guy that rides around the Midrand/Sunninghill/Fourways areas on a MTB, wearing little hot pants that never wears a helmet. I've been seeing him riding around for years, often at speed on the pavements etc. 

 

I've thought about "telling him off", but at the end of the day, it's these guy's own decision and Darwin will take care of them eventually. Don't sweat it, it's not going to affect your life if he comes off, let him take his chances.

[Fat Boab]

Yes I am sure - I use a 5XL motorcycle helmet

 

Reflectors & Bell is law:

My Source:

National Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and the Road Traffic Regulations

Read a summary here:

http://www.bicyclecapetown.org/bike-law/rules-of-the-road/

 

 

311.

 

(1)        No person shall ride a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is seated astride on the saddle of such pedal cycle.

 

186. White retro-reflectors to be fitted on front of certain vehicles

(3) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the front of such cycle a white retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192.

187.Red retro-reflectors to be fitted on rear of certain vehicles 

(4) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the rear of such cycle a red retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192.

201. Warning devices (1) Subject to the provisions of sections 58(3)and 60 of the Act, no person shall operate on a public road – (b) a pedal cycle, unless it is equipped with an efficient warning device which is in good working order and, when used, capable of giving adequate warning of its approach;

 

 

Seems the Act has been amended - a more updated version is here (http://www.saflii.org/za/legis/consol_reg/nrta93o1996rangnr225632.pdf) - but the intent is still the same as stated by Stef. ie white & red reflectors are required, as is the efficient audible warning device. Front & rear lights appear to be optional, as in 'may be fitted'.

 

Everyday is a school day.....

[Kranswurm]

There's a guy that rides around the Midrand/Sunninghill/Fourways areas on a MTB, wearing little hot pants that never wears a helmet. I've been seeing him riding around for years, often at speed on the pavements etc. 

 

I've thought about "telling him off", but at the end of the day, it's these guy's own decision and Darwin will take care of them eventually. Don't sweat it, it's not going to affect your life if he comes off, let him take his chances.

I would say the approach should be to just mind your own business

[Sparki 1]

Seems the Act has been amended - a more updated version is here (http://www.saflii.org/za/legis/consol_reg/nrta93o1996rangnr225632.pdf) - but the intent is still the same as stated by Stef. ie white & red reflectors are required, as is the efficient audible warning device. Front & rear lights appear to be optional, as in 'may be fitted'.

 

Everyday is a school day.....

does it mean if we were to be involved in an accident involving another road user, maybe a motorists for example and we were not in the wrong but we did not comply with the act, would we have a leg to stand on?

[Stefalbertyn]

.

Sorry about your prang!

That helmet failed to protect you properly - Get another one - is that a compression cut - EISH! - I hope it heals soon!

[Stefalbertyn]

 

I've thought about "telling him off", but at the end of the day, it's these guy's own decision and Darwin will take care of them eventually. 

I wonder how many of the clever guys here invoking Darwin actually read "On the Origin of Species"?

[Stefalbertyn]

Again -

 

1) I am not saying that you should or should NOT wear a helmet

2) But do a bit of research for yourself before you feel all cosy and safe and righteous when you put on that helmet:

 

How safe is it? How was it tested and to what spec (static drop from 1 metre from with dummy head weighing that of a person weighing in at 65kg?)

Will it protect me from a car hitting me? At what speed have I negated the protection and am on my own? Will that tiny strap with clip hold it on my head? (banned on motorcycle helmets worldwide - if clipped it should have double over retention - like Schubert helmets). How much of the development of the helmet went into making it safer? with better protection zones? and new absortion materials? or has it been the same design now for 25 years?, How much of R&D went into making it flow more air, and most importantly - what percentage of the R&D budget went into making it look sexy? Think and question others claims of having their lifes saved by a helmet - is there proof or is it assumption?,was the helmet DESIGNED to protect them at the speed they travelled and hit an obstacle or surface? 

 

Here's my little preaching

ALWAYS wear a helmet - but know what exactly it is that you are putting on your head - its not an airbag! And if you pass an ADULT who made the choice not to wear, who greets you friendly, be mature enough to not reciprocate their friendlyness with nasty and arrogant insults

oh yes

- and on forums - argue the point - several of you went for me with your insults without actually bringing anything to the argument, and if you have done your research then you will know that there are several sides to any one story - always, If you believe there is only one way then I am afraid, Darwin does not even exist for you - you are locked in the dogma of the middle ages.

oh yes - and - no need to get aggressive and emotional here - its just a forum on the internets.

 

I am out of here....crawling back under my rock to my low life existence...