Re: Helmet efficacy test

On 3/25/2025 6:19 AM, Rolf Mantel wrote:

Am 25.03.2025 um 11:11 schrieb John B.:

On 25 Mar 2025 08:02:38 GMT, Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> wrote:
>

Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

On 3/24/2025 6:02 PM, Mark J cleary wrote:

>
I like to wear helmet for extra protection against a fall. I do agree
that for me even running with a helmet would be good since I have no
balance to run anymore. However, Frank is I think in the minority about
helmets...

>
Nope, that's not true. In the current echo chamber of avid sport
cyclists I am a minority. But very I'm comfortable with not following
most of the group's trends. I don't use clipless pedals, I don't use
brifters or disk brakes, I don't ride in jerseys that advertise my
favorite products or my favorite racing team, I don't use aerodynamic
sunglasses, etc.
>
But in the total population of world cyclists, it's the helmet wearers
who are a definite minority.
>

... and while he may have data to support it sometimes we humans
overlook data. I rely sometimes only on intuition and what I think might
be good.

>
That's a common human trait. It leads to lots of bad decisions, but it's
common. It's usually wiser to pay attention to good data, when it's
available.
>

I really don't understand the length's Frank goes to dis
helmets but maybe I am simply taking it more than it is.

>
If you check, you'll see I never initiate helmet debates. But when
someone else - um, like you, Mark! - starts stating or implying that
helmets have great benefit, and/or states or implies that bicycling is a
serious risk for brain injury, I do point out that those notions are false.
>
Bicycling has never been a major source of serious traumatic brain
injury (TBI). On a nationwide basis, bicycling's contribution to TBI
counts is low enough to be off most "causes" charts. Bicycling causes
fewer then 1% of U.S. TBI deaths, far fewer than pedestrian travel, and
far fewer on a "per mile" basis. And historic data over the years shows
quite clearly that bicycle helmets are not preventing either fatalities
or concussions.
>
Data on request - but it's been posted or linked countless times.
>
>

Helmets for cycle safety are distraction to use one of UK bike
personalities/transport experts aka Chris Boardman.
>
With cycling the danger and risk is almost entirely introduced by
motorists, which should be the focus.
>
Helmet “debates” as ever seem to go nowhere as folks have such intrenched
positions.
>
Roger Merriman

>
I've told this story before but once again.
>
When I was working around oil well drilling rigs the word came down
from the Drilling Company -  "When you come back from break be sure
you are wearing a "Hard Hat"(i.e. helmet) or don't bother to come
back". And you know? Everybody came back with a hard hat and there was
never a mention,  good, bad or indifferent, whether people wanted to
were a helmet, or not, or any of the other  arguments I hear in
bicycle circles.

 How many people get paid to go bicycling? Most people cycle voluntarily, or stop cycling voluntarily.
 What is the cost to society if people "don't bother to come back" (as hapened in Australia)?
 Why did the "don't bother to come back unless you wear a seat belt" not work in the USA?
 

In a perfect world, I would probably wear a seat belt when driving. But since the State made it mandatory, which naturally engenders defiance,  I just restrict myself to exempt autos and drive without.
--
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971