Wearing helmets 'more dangerous' - you sure?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/5334208.stm a BBC article that Andy sent over today and good enough to share I think.
Fancy that.
Well - I know opinion is mixed, and studies show different things. As far as I remember the much talked about standards usually involve dropping a Mellon weighted object wrapped in said hat onto a flat surface from a meter. I am sure that is just urban myth, or they really that inept. I want to see some dragging testing, some curb stones, stuff like that.
Other negative things I have heard are as follows:
For the couple of times I have had to rely on mine I have been glad of wearing it.
And if they did ones you could sit on I think Syd would be first in the queue!
Comments.... for those with enough time on their hands
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Busy fool:)
Submitted by sydear on Tue, 12/09/2006 - 2:03pm.
I know it's a miracle!!!!!
I got found out, it was me riding with helmet front 2 back!!!(Just kidding)
I'm waiting for my ESRA Helmet!!!
Another Quality Post By SydBob
I think the point they are missing in that article is that they are making the assumption that the passing driver has seen the cyclist in plenty of time and made a conscious decision of how much room to allow the bike.
To be honest I am as much worried about the motorist who hasn't seen me at all, and would therefore not be able to make a decision as to whether to hit me or not based on my choice of headwear !
Personally in that event I would rather have my helmet on, however ineffective.
The point about about helmets being ineffective in high speed accidents or larger impacts, is of course well known and 100% correct. But this is also totally common to every sort of crash helmet in every application. A £2000 FIA approved motor racing helmet, of the sort worn by F1 drivers has a statement on a sticker inside saying that the helmet is only designed to protect against minor impacts, and can in no way protect the head in the event of a major accident.
This is the same of motor cycle helmets, ski-ing helmets etc etc.
If this was not the case then no recreational Motor cycle rider etc would ever be killed by head injury, which as we know is definately not true.
Whats the next move ? to make a law to ban the use of crash helmets on motorcycles, stating the reason that if they hit a lorry at 110mph then they will be killed any way, so hey ! whats the point spending all that money on a crash helmet.
Lets face it, how good would a builders hard hat be if the wearer got in the way of 3 tonne wrecking ball at full swing ! But they all wear them to hopefully minimise injury if someone drops a hammer off 8 foot scaffolding.
If you watch the DVD "overcoming" which follows the fortunes of the CSC team throughout the 2004 TDF. It shows an accident in real-time, and then in slow-motion involving the CSC sprinter Kurt Arveson, who has his front wheel taking right from under him as another rider cuts across during a stage sprint at 40 mph +. It shows the bike instantly go down sideways and the riders head hit the tarmac hard side on, I would be fairly convinced in the days before helmets his injurys would have been very serious. Needless to say the next day he was there at the start again ready to ride.
Of course I fully accept the implications and uncontrollable outcome of being involved in a major impact, and in no way am I naive enough to rely on my piece of moulded polysterene and plastic to protect me in this event. But I am sure as hell going to do everything I can to keep me from being wheelchair bound because my unprotected head hit a curbside when I got forgot to clip out of my pedals or something similar.
Good to see a well reasoned rational debate from Dan there...Interesting facts from the research( not that I ever believe findings!)my opinion is that helmets are a great idea for mountain biking and for riding in a bunch but on hot sunny days on your own its nice to leave it off! I've no doubt they help in most slow speed spills and if I was expecting to crash...riding alongside Syd,Dave or Chris down Rhyl Prom for instance or mountain biking with Jase(flying Squirrel)Aspden then I'd definitely wear one. The stuff about girlie locks getting you more space from passing motorists was good, explains Dans tardiness with the barbers anyway! there you go thats my opinions on it ...
Re celebrity fat club the figures are in. And may I just say how nice it was of all the lads to go back up to their starting weights to welcome me and Ant!
whatever the research and Dan's waffle says it's a thumbs up 4 skid lid from wheely Syd
(im getting split personallity from all these new names.... who said that)
Another Quality Post By SydBob
This time from other people - found these two earlier in the week - if people are bored enough - plenty to read here at a British and Canadian site who have a bit more time on their hands... and should probably just get off their asses and get out there on their bikes....
http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/
http://www.magma.ca/~ocbc/