Cycle Helmets - Who now has one ?

Question

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjksHpm5_dnuejmcvmwrxBkgBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20080705075105AA18rsk

Who has read this survey and now bought one.

Post your views below.

Do you wear a helmet on a push bike ?

Answer 1

Where I am (New Zealand) helmet use is mandated by law, although from what I've seen, rarely enforced.  I would consider myself an amatuer road rider (100-200 km per week), and definately support the law.  I realize that in the states it's personal choice, but I'll never be caught without one, and definately frown upon those who go without.  They aren't the perfect solution (nor is any other application where you wear a helmet), but they certainly help to mitigate the risk of serious injury on the bike, and make the difference between a non-serious injury and one that results in traumatic brain injuries.  A survey of serious riders will show that the vast majority wear their lids.  If you serious about riding you're bound to crash, and when (not if) that happens, you don't want it to end your career.

Answer 2

Accidents, by their very definition, are not planned. The real BSers are the ones who rationalize that NOT wearing one is somehow safer. Helmets aren't mandated in Michigan, but I always wear one anyway. I've had several accidents, and my helmet never saved me from an injury, but next time it might. If you get in an accident and don't have a helmet on, you don't get a 'do-over.'

Answer 3

I know its wrong but i wouldnt be seen dead wearing one....

Answer 4

Basically I agree with "Only Mr G"

Helmets do provide certain protection, but are not sufficient protection. A wise road sense, experience, knowing where to be when in traffic, a good look out and anticipation, and using eyes, ears and head are far more important.

I do own a helmet. I do not care about looks, but I use it depending on many situations. I do a lot of touring and sometimes the helmet gets in the way as far as visibility and hearing (believe it or not) So, sometimes it is safer to ride without one because I can perceive situations much better.

At the end, it should be a personal choice. I am just sharing my experience and point of view. Also I have cycle for years and without a mayor accident.

Answer 5

Most of Henry Viii 's wives would still be alive if they were wearing a helmet.

A Friend of a friend of a friend road off the cliffs of Dover and his helmet saved his life !! . . . . . . . What a load of rubbish!!

I'm sick of these stories,  Yes I am a roadie and I wear a helmet but lets leave it to choice and not silly little tales.

Generations of kids grew up without them - Hey millions of people in China don't wear one, If you believe some of these stories then the death rate would be greater than The Plague!

It's only a bit of polystyrene and they are only effective against small bumps, they won't protect you against a hard impact, never mind about a broken wrist or collar bone (by far the most common cycling injuries).

Do what you will but lets leave the choice to the individual eh?

.

Answer 6

no only when i am forced to by my parents when we go cycling in france but that is an exeption as the roads are different!

but in uk no way!

Answer 7

I always do when mountain biking

I some times do when road biking

Answer 8

No need for me i am very careful plus i have a very big head and cycle helmets look naff.

Answer 9

You should read either the news of the world (yesterdays) or Saturdays Sun news paper. It has shows a girl who had a car run over her head...fortunately she was fine..the helmet was in bits afterwards but not her head...That's good enough for me to wear one...I would rather look dumb on  a bike than dumb looking in a coffin

Answer 10

I MTB and tend to throw my bike about around some very rough terain, at speed.  d**n right I wear one.

Luck

Answer 11

Lets be honest, if looking stupid is your concern then the rest of your cycling gear will take the attention off your helmet. Anyone interested in competition will know that you have no choice when racing. They do offer some protection even in big impacts but it is all relative. They wont help if you are head on with a bus ! I say this as someone who attends road accidents.

Moreover, when overtaking people at great speed on my road bike the last thing I think about is how I look as cycling is not about that when looked at from a competitive point of view. Ultimately it;s personal choice, live and let live etc.

Answer 12

Yes

For those people that don't wear a helmet because they're worried about how they look, maybe they should consider that head injuries aren't very attractive either. Have a look at some photos of head injuries which have happened to people that haven't been wearing a helmet when they had an accident. I'm sure that seeing the damage that can be done and how you can look after an accident that most people wouldn't mind wearing a helmet. Not to mention the lesser chance of receiving BRAIN DAMAGE in an accident.

Answer 13

The people who wear helmets are those people who prefer living than dying, maybe at the cost of looking a bit daft. I hit 40 miles an hour on my bike today, if I had come off, or worse, hit a car I would almost certainly have cause really bad damage/died if i had not being wearing a helmet.

You are truly stupid if you chose not to wear one on a road bike. Mountain biking I would also wear one.

The only time I would not wear one is going slowly through safe roads maybe to park on a my old bike, however I would be constantly telling myself that I was being dumb.

My helmet saved me from a very nasty pavement punch last year and I was going slowly on the main road, some muppet clipped me in his car.

Answer 14

I race road and would never go on a ride without a helmet.