Did not wearing a helmet save Gene Hackman's life?

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Permalink Reply by Simon on January 17, 2012 at 12:12

Wore mine for the first time in ages the other day, just 'cos I was going MTBing for the first time in ages.

Was starting to think that it was a good thing that I did - not because I ell of but because of the number of over hanging branches and twigs that kept twanging into it.  Then, of course, it occurred to me - the only reason why they were hitting the helmet was that I was only ducking enough to clear an unhelmeted head and without the lid I probably wouldn't have been hit by any of them.   

No easy answers on the great helmet question, and the only think that you can rely on is that anyone who uses so-called 'common-sense' hasn't bothered thinking it all through yet.

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Permalink Reply by Toby on January 17, 2012 at 12:13

Stating that a bike helmet will not protect the rider from an impact from a car is rather stating the obvious. However, it will protect my head when it strikes the floor or road side railings if I am clipped by a car or if I fall awkwardly.

Plus, when I'm not wearing my Big Stupid Yellow Jacket, ie, when I'm not commuting during the winter months, and I'm out and about on country roads at weekends, my lid matches my bike's colour scheme and my kit in a rather fetching way that makes me feel like a pro on a training ride. And I get a buzz from that, even if I will probably be mocked for admitting to being such a delusional ponce on this website!!

It is only a false sense of security if you ride like an idiot because you are wearing a helmet. If you continue to ride sensibly, wearing one may well save you from quite a serious head injury, God forbid. If you are hit with such force as to knock you off this mortal coil, there is no safety kit that is going to save you from such an impact. This article seems to imply that there are people who are not realistic about this. That seems absurd to me but I will not lose any sleep over such people.

Finally, some weeks ago, I had to vie for space on the road with a seagull swooping for some discarded fish and chips. I think there was an impact after the point where it raised it's talons at me and squawked menacingly at me. I am rather glad it deflected off the smooth plastic of my Giro helmet than taken a chunk of my scalp as I went past.

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Permalink Reply by James Lee on January 17, 2012 at 12:28

I prefered looking at the photos on the Rapha feature.

 

If Gene Hackman had not gone out on his bike, he would not have been knocked down by a truck.

Risky business, this cycling lark.

If one considers the number of ways one could sustain injury or get killed, one wouldn't ride a bicycle.

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Permalink Reply by Andy White on January 17, 2012 at 12:28

Of course we would all benefit from wearing helmets around the house, which statistically is where most head injuries occur.

 

Of course car drivers and their passengers would benefit too.  In fact I would put money on there being more head injuries among car drivers than cyclists.

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Permalink Reply by James Lee on January 17, 2012 at 12:35

A helmet in a car is called an "Airbag".

 

I will gladly take your money off you.

 

I heard of a chap who hit his head on the bathroom washbasin, and had an inspired thought of the 'Flux Capacitor'.

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Permalink Reply by CKS on January 17, 2012 at 12:45

I always wear a helmet for winter cycling - to keep my head warm if nothing else.

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Permalink Reply by James Lee on January 17, 2012 at 12:51

Strange.

 

I wear a thinsulate beanie in the winter and a helmet in the summer to keep cool.

 

Note. I DO NOT wear a helmet when riding my Raleigh 20. I wear hair curlers and a headscarf :-)

I also have a 26" wheel ladies step-through. When I ride that, I wear a fascinator.

 

PS Helmet debate threads should be swiftly nipped-in-the-bud. Saves people losing friends.

CKS said:

I always wear a helmet for winter cycling - to keep my head warm if nothing else.

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Permalink Reply by Robert on January 17, 2012 at 13:31

I can say categorically that a helmet saved me from a head injury.   I slipped over on some black ice; my bike slid to the left, the taxi behind me slid to the right, and I carried on down the road straight past the turn I was trying to make.   As I headed towards the deck my brain instructed my neck to keep my head well clear of the road because if it didn't I would have to shell out on another helmet, which at that time was a relatively expensive piece of kit.   My neck obeyed, and I had what turned out to be quite a fun experience.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Smith on January 17, 2012 at 17:31

I happen to think that there must be a gap in the market for something that does the same job as a helmet but

looks better!

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Permalink Reply by James Lee on January 18, 2012 at 6:50

Google Images for "Rock climbing helmet".

 

They're better looking than cycle helmets. And they show you're more than fearless !!!

As an ex skateboard pro, they are nothing new.

 

Which begs the question,,, Will it save my life if I fall 500 ft off Beachy Head? ;-)

Richard Smith said:

I happen to think that there must be a gap in the market for something that does the same job as a helmet but

looks better!

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Permalink Reply by Robert on January 18, 2012 at 8:47

But of course!   However, if one doesn't regularly cycle off Beachy Head, how about a radiovka beret?  It's perfect for keeping damaging capitalist ideas away from your head when you're pedalling between coffee shops.

James Lee said:

Which begs the question,,, Will it save my life if I fall 500 ft off Beachy Head? ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Sarah-Jane on January 18, 2012 at 16:34

Love it - does it come in purple?

Robert said:

But of course!   However, if one doesn't regularly cycle off Beachy Head, how about a radiovka beret?  It's perfect for keeping damaging capitalist ideas away from your head when you're pedalling between coffee shops.

James Lee said:

Which begs the question,,, Will it save my life if I fall 500 ft off Beachy Head? ;-)

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