No Gear at Any Time

[Rusnak_322]

"A well respected literature review states �When the risk of injury to head, face or neck is viewed as a whole, bicycle helmets do provide a small protective effect. This effect is evident only in older studies. New studies, summarised by a random-effects model of analysis, indicate no net protective effect."  https://ecf.com/

Feel free to wear a helmet or not when you mount your bicycle,- that`s the way to go !



 

No offence, but the ECF is about as good as the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) when it comes to helmet laws (or advocacy against). there is huge biases shown when the opening sentence of a "Factsheet" states "ECF believe that what a cyclist wears should be his/her own choice"  and "The main effect of helmet laws has not been to improve cyclists’ safety but to discourage cycling"

Just like the AMA advocating no motorcycle helmet laws even when common sense tells you that they work.


I love this quote - "There is approximately one cyclist death per 33 million km of cycling. It would take the
average cyclist 21,000 years to cycle this distance" - guess helmets are foolish given those stats!

[oldbike54]

 OK , and this will certainly cause some consternation , teeth gnashing , and probably a bunch of  faces , but there don't seem to be any credible statistics re helmets making a large difference in fatality rates . In fact , looking at fatality rates overall , the statisticians make some very ambiguous statements , like the number of fatalities in the over 50 age group has greatly increased since 1975 , well duh . Or the number of fatalities on over 1400 CC MC's has also greatly increased , also , well duh   

 Dusty

[Tom]

Let's back this up to the of bicycles and the implied non-use of helmets.  The biggest thing that I can see is the use of bicycles in an urban European  area as transportation.  Bike lanes are laid out by the gov. to encourage the use of bicycles.  From observations over the years in Europe and Asia comparing to U.S. use.  The bicycle is the 1st mode of wheeled transport that a person will own in those areas of the world.  When the income allows it, they'll  jump to a moped scooter.  After that it's to a large scooter or motorcycle.  Eventually to a car if they make the income.

The U.S. is different in the fact a car usually follows an adolescent ownership of a bicycle.  So as an adult most bicycle usage is recreational.  Hence, the perceived requirement for helmet usage.  In other words, experience is a main factor.

[Rusnak_322]

OK , and this will certainly cause some consternation , teeth gnashing , and probably a bunch of  faces , but there don't seem to be any credible statistics re helmets making a large difference in fatality rates . In fact , looking at fatality rates overall , the statisticians make some very ambiguous statements , like the number of fatalities in the over 50 age group has greatly increased since 1975 , well duh . Or the number of fatalities on over 1400 CC MC's has also greatly increased , also , well duh   

 Dusty

helmets do more then protect against fatalities. I know several people who knocked them selves silly crashing a bike, sometimes taking weeks to get back to 100%
I think concussions are a bigger issue then death blows, especially with youths.

You won't find any stats showing the number of head wounds or concussions prevented because of helmets because who reports that?  doesn't mean that they are not significant.

[JeffOlson]

Without a doubt, people are injured in accidents, and protective gear can sometimes protect against worse injuries or even death.

The point I was trying to make was simply, "Oh, to be young and free from worry."

Does anyone remember what it was like not to worry? I am much nearer now to death than birth, and I find myself worrying far more than I did when I was young and carefree. I even find myself looking down while I walk so I won't trip! Who did that as a youngster?

The video I posted is rather idyllic, but that is its charm. I will never live in the Netherlands, or Denmark, and I will never be able to ride anything free from all worry, but it is nice to dream.

[oldbike54]

 Jeff , that is a valid point , and every now and then I take a ride sans helmet and gear . Reminds me of being 18 and carefree .

 Dusty

[Tom]

I do that on a regular basis here.