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> Wear a helmet. They not only save you from dangerous environmental situations, but they save you from yourself. Given the CPSC test procedure for bicycle hel

by u801e 12y ago

> Wear a helmet. They not only save you from dangerous environmental situations, but they save you from yourself. Given the CPSC test procedure for bicycle helmets, I seriously doubt it: http://www.helmets.org/cpscstd.htm http://www.helmets.org/cpscstd.htm >> 1203.15 Positional stability test Test that the helmet doesn't roll off when a 8.8 lb weight in a guided free fall from a distance of 2 feet strikes the helmet. >> 1203.16 Dynamic strength of retention system test Uses the same weight and guided free fall distance. >> 1203.17 Impact attenuation test >> (b)(3) A guided free fall of the helmet on a weighted headform from a minimum height of 6.56 ft onto a flat anvil and a guided free fall of the helmet on a weighted headform from a minumum height of 3.94 ft onto a hemispherical and curbstone anvils Regarding the last test procedure, that would be like testing the helmet on an adult male of average height, where, while standing, suddenly suffered a stroke and fell over. It certainly wouldn't protect you in a crash at speed or with a motor vehicle. If you want real head protection while riding a bicycle, then you need to wear a motorcycle helmet (preferably one that meets the Snell standard).

hkmurakami 12y ago
>Regarding the last test procedure, that would be like testing the helmet on an adult male of average height, where, while standing, suddenly suffered a stroke and fell over With all due respect, do you ride a bike extensively? Because these exact sort of accidents happen all the time. I've fallen sideways from a stationary position several times over the last 5 years as an avid cyclist when I've had lapses in judgment or focus when declipping from my pedals. Further, I was struck by a car from behind 2 years ago and lost consciousness, propelled forward several meters, broke several ribs, suffered large abrasions on my back. My helmet suffered dents and scratches, but my head and face were 100% fine. If not for the helmet, I would have 100% suffered from cuts and abrasions to my face (given that my back has permanent scars, this could have easily happened to my face), even without taking into consideration impact protection. The fact that bicycle helmets don't protect you from every type of accident situation is a ridiculous reason to not wear one.
- u801e 12y ago
  > With all due respect, do you ride a bike extensively? In the last 10 years, I've ridden about 10,000 miles give or take. > Because these exact sort of accidents happen all the time. I've fallen sideways from a stationary position several times over the last 5 years as an avid cyclist when I've had lapses in judgment or focus when declipping from my pedals. I've never used pedal clips. I do ride in traffic, but I doubt I average more than 15 miles per hour. > Further, I was struck by a car from behind 2 years ago and lost consciousness, propelled forward several meters, broke several ribs, suffered large abrasions on my back. My helmet suffered dents and scratches, but my head and face were 100% fine. If not for the helmet, I would have 100% suffered from cuts and abrasions to my face That last sentence doesn't really make sense. Bicycle helmets do not cover one's face. Also, getting hit from behind by a vehicle is the least common type of crash from what I've read. > The fact that bicycle helmets don't protect you from every type of accident situation is a ridiculous reason to not wear one. If they were designed in a way that would protect me in most crashes, then I certainly would wear one while riding, but given the standard I referenced, I seriously doubt it. If FMVSS 209 stated that seat belts in cars were only tested in frontal collisions at speeds of 20 mph or less, then I wouldn't bother wearing them because I know that they wouldn't protect me while I'm driving at highway speeds. Fortunately, that's not the case and I always wear my seat belt while riding in or driving a car. In the end, the way one rides is far more effective in mitigating the risk of getting involved in a crash (like following the rules of the road, having appropriate equipment, etc.)
  - hkmurakami 12y ago
    Thanks for the detailed clarification. >That last sentence doesn't really make sense. Bicycle helmets do not cover one's face. When you're propelled off your bike, some part of your head is likely to make contact with the ground (particularly if you're unconscious), along with your torso. The line formed by the outermost part of the helmet and whatever part of your torso that hits the ground is often outside of your face/head and thus helps avoid cuts/abrasions when grating against the ground. I personally support others' right to not wear a helmet. In fact, I didn't wear one either when I lived and worked in Japan and bike commuted to the train station. I also believe the evidence and studies that show the relative ineffectiveness of current helmet designs. However, I also believe that the decision of others in wearing the helmets available for a marginal improvement in safety should be respected as well [1]. [1] The counterargument to this is if by not purchasing the current helmets and protesting for better designs, we can help spur companies to develop more robust products.
7952 12y ago
I ride mountain bikes and sometimes use knee and elbow pads. In a potentially life threatening crash they are not going to save your life. But in the normal day to day bumps and scrapes they turn an inconvenient injury in to a non-event. I wear helmets on the road because I don't want an otherwise avoidable injury to ruin my day and cause inconvenience. Helmets have few downsides, and might help in a crash.

by u801e 12y ago

hkmurakami 12y ago

>Regarding the last test procedure, that would be like testing the helmet on an adult male of average height, where, while standing, suddenly suffered a stroke and fell over With all due respect, do you ride a bike extensively? Because these exact sort of accidents happen all the time. I've fallen sideways from a stationary position several times over the last 5 years as an avid cyclist when I've had lapses in judgment or focus when declipping from my pedals. Further, I was struck by a car from behind 2 years ago and lost consciousness, propelled forward several meters, broke several ribs, suffered large abrasions on my back. My helmet suffered dents and scratches, but my head and face were 100% fine. If not for the helmet, I would have 100% suffered from cuts and abrasions to my face (given that my back has permanent scars, this could have easily happened to my face), even without taking into consideration impact protection. The fact that bicycle helmets don't protect you from every type of accident situation is a ridiculous reason to not wear one.

u801e 12y ago
> With all due respect, do you ride a bike extensively? In the last 10 years, I've ridden about 10,000 miles give or take. > Because these exact sort of accidents happen all the time. I've fallen sideways from a stationary position several times over the last 5 years as an avid cyclist when I've had lapses in judgment or focus when declipping from my pedals. I've never used pedal clips. I do ride in traffic, but I doubt I average more than 15 miles per hour. > Further, I was struck by a car from behind 2 years ago and lost consciousness, propelled forward several meters, broke several ribs, suffered large abrasions on my back. My helmet suffered dents and scratches, but my head and face were 100% fine. If not for the helmet, I would have 100% suffered from cuts and abrasions to my face That last sentence doesn't really make sense. Bicycle helmets do not cover one's face. Also, getting hit from behind by a vehicle is the least common type of crash from what I've read. > The fact that bicycle helmets don't protect you from every type of accident situation is a ridiculous reason to not wear one. If they were designed in a way that would protect me in most crashes, then I certainly would wear one while riding, but given the standard I referenced, I seriously doubt it. If FMVSS 209 stated that seat belts in cars were only tested in frontal collisions at speeds of 20 mph or less, then I wouldn't bother wearing them because I know that they wouldn't protect me while I'm driving at highway speeds. Fortunately, that's not the case and I always wear my seat belt while riding in or driving a car. In the end, the way one rides is far more effective in mitigating the risk of getting involved in a crash (like following the rules of the road, having appropriate equipment, etc.)
- hkmurakami 12y ago
  Thanks for the detailed clarification. >That last sentence doesn't really make sense. Bicycle helmets do not cover one's face. When you're propelled off your bike, some part of your head is likely to make contact with the ground (particularly if you're unconscious), along with your torso. The line formed by the outermost part of the helmet and whatever part of your torso that hits the ground is often outside of your face/head and thus helps avoid cuts/abrasions when grating against the ground. I personally support others' right to not wear a helmet. In fact, I didn't wear one either when I lived and worked in Japan and bike commuted to the train station. I also believe the evidence and studies that show the relative ineffectiveness of current helmet designs. However, I also believe that the decision of others in wearing the helmets available for a marginal improvement in safety should be respected as well [1]. [1] The counterargument to this is if by not purchasing the current helmets and protesting for better designs, we can help spur companies to develop more robust products.

7952 12y ago

I ride mountain bikes and sometimes use knee and elbow pads. In a potentially life threatening crash they are not going to save your life. But in the normal day to day bumps and scrapes they turn an inconvenient injury in to a non-event. I wear helmets on the road because I don't want an otherwise avoidable injury to ruin my day and cause inconvenience. Helmets have few downsides, and might help in a crash.