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Here in Australia, where they're mandatory, us 'hipster' types get around this by wearing helmets that look like the sort of 'crash hat' that skateboarders wear

by jen729w 10y ago

Here in Australia, where they're mandatory, us 'hipster' types get around this by wearing helmets that look like the sort of 'crash hat' that skateboarders wear: very dome-like, skull-shaped things rather than the traditional swept-back-vents-all-over helmets that your racing cyclist would wear. Hotter in summer, but they look cooler. ;-) FWIW, I thought it was weird at first having to wear a helmet. I'm from the UK. Now, though, it just seems bizarre that I wouldn't. It's my skull! My brain is in there. It only takes one idiot, and knocking my head off concrete from 6ft up at even 10km/h sounds like a terrible idea. Anything that cushions the blow, even if that blow is unlikely, now seems like the most obvious idea in the world.

ptaipale 10y ago
Indeed. I feel naked if I start to cycle without a helmet (even though they are not strictly mandatory here, the law says you should wear one but there are no penalties for not wearing it.)
Moru 10y ago
But a skateboard helmet doesn't work as well as a bicycle helmet when bicyckling. They are made for different falling types. They are better than nothing but not as good as the better bicycle helmets.
- jen729w 10y ago
  Sorry, thought about it at the time but didn't write it - they are actual bicycle helmets styled like skateboard helmets. They're fully rated for bike riding. If the cops stop you (which they do, occasionally) and you are actually wearing a skate helmet, not rated for bike riding, that doesn't count as 'wearing a helmet' and you'll be fined. (I'm sure the idea of being fined for wearing the wrong helmet will horrify some people but remember, that's the law here. The law also says you need a bell on your bike. It's rare, but the bike police do random stops and if you don't have a bell, strictly speaking, you'll be fined. Never happened to me, but it can.) ((Which, by the way - and sorry for the errata with the double-brackets - I actually support. I ride through central Melbourne. Pedestrians are a nightmare. Having a working bell is actually important. They cost $5. The law is a public service which, in this case, works. Get a bell.))

by jen729w 10y ago

ptaipale 10y ago

Indeed. I feel naked if I start to cycle without a helmet (even though they are not strictly mandatory here, the law says you should wear one but there are no penalties for not wearing it.)

Moru 10y ago

But a skateboard helmet doesn't work as well as a bicycle helmet when bicyckling. They are made for different falling types. They are better than nothing but not as good as the better bicycle helmets.

jen729w 10y ago
Sorry, thought about it at the time but didn't write it - they are actual bicycle helmets styled like skateboard helmets. They're fully rated for bike riding. If the cops stop you (which they do, occasionally) and you are actually wearing a skate helmet, not rated for bike riding, that doesn't count as 'wearing a helmet' and you'll be fined. (I'm sure the idea of being fined for wearing the wrong helmet will horrify some people but remember, that's the law here. The law also says you need a bell on your bike. It's rare, but the bike police do random stops and if you don't have a bell, strictly speaking, you'll be fined. Never happened to me, but it can.) ((Which, by the way - and sorry for the errata with the double-brackets - I actually support. I ride through central Melbourne. Pedestrians are a nightmare. Having a working bell is actually important. They cost $5. The law is a public service which, in this case, works. Get a bell.))