But, like it or not, it’s the most realistic cycle-limiting law/ordinance you’re likely to encounter. I’m generally a helmet-wearer, but am horrified at the idea of mandatory helmet usage.
In Sweden helmets are mandatory for children under 15 but not adults. What kind of sense is there in that? Around home the kids regularly get road rash, but but it is when I commute (with adult cyclists) I see the bad accidents.
The old helmet chestnut never dies, does it!
Because, if you look at actual, peer reviewed, unbiased evidence, there is a SMALL survival/injury advantage in children under the age of 12 wearing a helmet (Level 2c evidence at best only, IIRC). There is NO demonstrable survival/injury advantage over the age of 12.
While the anecdote: “The helmet saved my life” abounds, there is actually no hard evidence that this is the case. This is borne out quite amply in my 25 years experience in the medical front line, having dealt with many head injuries – a small number of them in cyclists…
Just watched the TED video referenced by Kent, where the well qualified lady points out that repeated concussions are likely to bring forward senile degenerative brain conditions; and that that younger brains seem disproportionately affected by concussion. (It wasn’t clear whether this is because younger brains are more sensitive or that younger people are more likely to experience concussion.) So, obviously, concussion reduction (at which helmets are effective when it occurs) is important.
In cycling terms, for reasons frequently aired in these columns, it may be that case that the protective effect of a helmet is outweighed by the increased chance of a head banging event when one is actually worn. Adding to this the lesser fitness of non-cyclists – of whom there appear to be more when helmet laws are enacted – may result statistically in earlier death, and the overall result for human longevity and quality of life may (seemingly paradoxically) well be worse when helmets are worn, especially when worn by compulsion.
From all this two things emerge -
1] before enacting legislation about wearing helmets when cycling, some proper statistical research needs to be carried out so we can have some reliable information, and
2] if legislators are really concerned about their constituents, helmet legislation needs to cover other statistical hotspots for concussive injuries such as (especially) horse riding and driving. (For instance, among people I know quite well there are two who have enduring health problems from having fallen off a horse, but none who have a similar problem from a cycling accident.)
If helmets get mandatory here, i will either take it yehudas way, or by a car.
Cycle Helmets exactly have two proven benefits: Shops and manufactures earn money, and not using them makes cyclists responsible for car drivers misbehavior.
Yeah. And every time a cyclist get killed by a speeding car at 50+mph the news have to mention whether the cyclist was wearing a helmet or not. Like it matters at 50mph.
youre from hannover? our biggest newspaper supports and sells the “hannover helm” … so in every bike accident the not wear is mentioned.
And of course they never write: “he wore a helmet but got serius injured or died”
Par for the course. Almost all helmets nowadays — with the possible exception of BMX/freestyle helmets — are designed with sleek, racy looks and scads of air vents. Intended to appeal to the overweight racer wannabe in his full team kit and a Trek Madone for when he rides to Starbucks.
… which is exactly the reason they’re so unpopular. As I ride on the worst road in the United States, I (reluctantly) wear one – it took me QUITE a while to find one that didn’t look like a dunce cap. I finally settled on a Bell “Citi” – which at least has a visor that helps keep the sun out of my eyes! Sleek, racy? Who am I fooling on a 3 speed? Why does everything have to be a competition or a “sport”?
Good on Yehuda – I’d probably stop wearing a helmet if a LAW was passed just to “stick it to the man”.
Frame 3 she is looking great, and the helmet only adds to the appeal. People who care about their wellbeing are sexy. Put her on a bike and it’s a perfect combo guaranteed to bring smiles from all.
to prevent your tinfoil helmet acting as ray catcher you better walk on solid rock only.
pringles tubes are used as directional waveguide if the source is within the can, but wont boost anything. u can wear one casually on a necklace but watch out – it mustnt point at your head!
I remember a brief time when chicks wore lycra shorts to the mall. If she was in good shape, yeah it looked sexy. But I can’t imagine a bike helmet making anyone look better, and I’ve sure never seen any girl wear it around just for style. They look almost as goofy as what the Cat in the Hat wears.
I wear my helmet religiously while mountain biking. I’ve got plenty of personal anecdotal evidence that its a good idea. But otherwise I just don’t believe anyone else should legislate my safety. I’ve had plenty of commuting crashes both wearing and not wearing my helmet. I’ve only hit my head once, and all the helmet saved that time was a little skin.
My major concern while riding is being struck by a car. Bicycle helmets are not designed to prevent injury in that type of crash, and until they are I don’t see the realistic benefit of wearing one.
Having said all that, I wear my helmet fairly religiously even while commuting, the reason being that I don’t want to get screwed over by some fascist insurance company that would shove the responsibility off on me for not wearing a helmet. It’s my own insurance against ignorance.
you only wear a helmet for safety while mountainbiking ? i can give you some first hand infos about why you should also protect extremities and torso while doing extreme sports. gladly i got no personal experience other than the helmet equivalent – my knee pad safed my knee..
I don’t like manditory helmet laws myself, but I’m not horrified of them. It’s not a draconian measure unless you are convinced it is. It’s just a piece of plastic to protect your head. You can get one cheap or free from many bike shops and support groups. “Talisman”? Have to strongly disagree with Yehuda on that one. Jewlery doesn’t save lives, helmets do.
it is more than that. it is a piece of equipment one need to take care of. it needs space in my flat, it needs to be kept somewhere while I am in the shop, the cafè, office and a lot of other places. Other than my Motorbike, my bike has no place to store a helmet dry an theftproof… at least one more item i frequently tend to forget…
You know, it comes down to pretty much the same thing people have been saying all along about Lance Armstrong — you can’t prove a negative. The anecdotal “my helmet saved my life” can neither be proven nor disproven unless one is willing to go through exactly the same incident under exactly the same circumstance sans helmet with the end result being a fatality.
You may conduct this experiment with yourself as the test subject if you wish, but not me.
@ Troiker & Zorba: Not every law that gets passed is the wedge in some larger liberty-robbing agenda (in fact, most are not). I don’t think helmet laws make a lot of sense, but not every law I disagree with is a sign of impending doom. Take a deep breath and calm down. And stay off the conspiracy sites.
Many states have had seatbelt laws and helmets laws for motorcycles for quite some time. I am not aware of either having led to the ushering in of a fascist/socialist state.
Never make the mistake of thinking LAWS are a good thing, they’re not. Allow me to quote Lewis again: “Do not let us mistake necessary evils for good.” LAWS are, at the very best, “Necessary Evils” – and most rapidly devolve into the lack of the word “necessary” – leaving only evil.
I totally disagree with seatbelt and motorcycle helmet laws for the same reasons I do bike helmet laws. The Socialist state feels compelled to control everyone’s actions as the state has forced everyone to be responsible for everyone else. The Fascist state feels compelled to control everyone’s actions for so-called “Moral” reasons – which are even more evil than LAWS.
For every LAW the idiots in “authority” over us pass, they should be required to repeal two. Someone famous said that…
I can’t say I agree with Kapusta – chicken**** LAWS whittle away at our freedoms. “A law we can live with” is the excuse the legalists usually give for a petty law. No thank you, I’m not buying.
This whole issue smacks of legislated morality – which never works and is seldom ethical.
Oh! How could I forget? Legislated morality is symptomatic of the Socialist-Liberal Nanny State ™ -=AND=- the Fascist-Theocratic Nanny State ™. In which case we have the two poles of evil…
I wear a helmet in the UK because in the few incidents I’ve had, mainly when I’ve made the mistake and gone down the road / trail on my ass I have scuffed my helmet and not my face or had any concussion etc that I MIGHT have done otherwise.
for me, that alone is worth it.
I have also been over a car bonnet where the helmet perhaps only saved me from having a bit of a headache – I know that in an accident that I leave the scene by ambulance that the jury is still out, but in the ones I get up and walk straight away it’s seemed to be useful so far.
Ah well, I guess since eveyone is paying into health insurance these days anyway I won’t end up indirectly funding your vegetable state anymore whether or not you do ignore all the studies that make the case for helmets. Have at it folks. The numerous studies provide enough evidence for me to wear mine most of the time. Think I’ll take a break for awhile.
Since more people suffer head injuries in the home, when walking, and when driving, than when cycling, I sincerely hope you and your family are helmeted 24/7.
Yehuda needs to spend more time riding and less time preaching about it. That’s where some of his best adventures have begun! He can always bring his cat along for an autumn overnight tour!
Helmets again? Glad I never subscribed. I’m sick of the zealots on both sides of the argument.
It’s a personal choice, you don’t need one if you’re twiddling along on a Dutch two miler on a dutch bike path, but for fast road riding especially in heavy traffic, and mountain biking, I personally think they’re a good idea.
Agree with 2wheeler, the best strips are always about riding, not preaching, and now that the perfect fall bike weather is here I’m going mountain biking (with a helmet, because I’ll be risk compensating, and you can’t stop me Yehuda).
It is okay if one personaly decides to wear a helmet. But do not ask other to do so until it is really proved they help.
And always be aware that cycle helmets only provide a very limited protection. And often can be harmfull.
I kind of wish this story arc would focus on the non-helmet parts of her anti-cyclist ideas.
But, like it or not, it’s the most realistic cycle-limiting law/ordinance you’re likely to encounter. I’m generally a helmet-wearer, but am horrified at the idea of mandatory helmet usage.
I´m always a helmet wearer, but agree with you.
In Sweden helmets are mandatory for children under 15 but not adults. What kind of sense is there in that? Around home the kids regularly get road rash, but but it is when I commute (with adult cyclists) I see the bad accidents.
The old helmet chestnut never dies, does it!
Because, if you look at actual, peer reviewed, unbiased evidence, there is a SMALL survival/injury advantage in children under the age of 12 wearing a helmet (Level 2c evidence at best only, IIRC). There is NO demonstrable survival/injury advantage over the age of 12.
While the anecdote: “The helmet saved my life” abounds, there is actually no hard evidence that this is the case. This is borne out quite amply in my 25 years experience in the medical front line, having dealt with many head injuries – a small number of them in cyclists…
Kid’s skulls are not fully developed and hardened until late teens.
This is relevant to the discussion of children and head injury: http://www.ted.com/talks/kim_gorgens_protecting_the_brain_against_concussion.html
Just watched the TED video referenced by Kent, where the well qualified lady points out that repeated concussions are likely to bring forward senile degenerative brain conditions; and that that younger brains seem disproportionately affected by concussion. (It wasn’t clear whether this is because younger brains are more sensitive or that younger people are more likely to experience concussion.) So, obviously, concussion reduction (at which helmets are effective when it occurs) is important.
In cycling terms, for reasons frequently aired in these columns, it may be that case that the protective effect of a helmet is outweighed by the increased chance of a head banging event when one is actually worn. Adding to this the lesser fitness of non-cyclists – of whom there appear to be more when helmet laws are enacted – may result statistically in earlier death, and the overall result for human longevity and quality of life may (seemingly paradoxically) well be worse when helmets are worn, especially when worn by compulsion.
From all this two things emerge -
1] before enacting legislation about wearing helmets when cycling, some proper statistical research needs to be carried out so we can have some reliable information, and
2] if legislators are really concerned about their constituents, helmet legislation needs to cover other statistical hotspots for concussive injuries such as (especially) horse riding and driving. (For instance, among people I know quite well there are two who have enduring health problems from having fallen off a horse, but none who have a similar problem from a cycling accident.)
Just watched the first 10 seconds: She is on stage, concentrated on her speech, walks around without minding her steps and does not wear a helmet?
If helmets get mandatory here, i will either take it yehudas way, or by a car.
Cycle Helmets exactly have two proven benefits: Shops and manufactures earn money, and not using them makes cyclists responsible for car drivers misbehavior.
Yeah. And every time a cyclist get killed by a speeding car at 50+mph the news have to mention whether the cyclist was wearing a helmet or not. Like it matters at 50mph.
youre from hannover? our biggest newspaper supports and sells the “hannover helm” … so in every bike accident the not wear is mentioned.
And of course they never write: “he wore a helmet but got serius injured or died”
Pretty fancy looking helmet Thistle has there!
Liked.
Par for the course. Almost all helmets nowadays — with the possible exception of BMX/freestyle helmets — are designed with sleek, racy looks and scads of air vents. Intended to appeal to the overweight racer wannabe in his full team kit and a Trek Madone for when he rides to Starbucks.
… which is exactly the reason they’re so unpopular. As I ride on the worst road in the United States, I (reluctantly) wear one – it took me QUITE a while to find one that didn’t look like a dunce cap. I finally settled on a Bell “Citi” – which at least has a visor that helps keep the sun out of my eyes! Sleek, racy? Who am I fooling on a 3 speed? Why does everything have to be a competition or a “sport”?
Good on Yehuda – I’d probably stop wearing a helmet if a LAW was passed just to “stick it to the man”.
Remember when you see Nanny State, wave… one finger will suffice.
Thistle just looks soooooo hot in pink.
Frame 3 she is looking great, and the helmet only adds to the appeal. People who care about their wellbeing are sexy. Put her on a bike and it’s a perfect combo guaranteed to bring smiles from all.
Magic hats create a false perception that cycling is somehow ‘dangerous’, whein in fact it is one of the safest modes of transport.
and @The Don. You worry me.
On your first point I concur completely.
Likewise your second.
add some tin foil and your helmet will protect you against governmental mind rays just as well as against broken skull.
Actually, tin foil hats concentrate the transmissions coming from the other side, bouncing them into a central area, like a parabolic satelite dish.
A Pringles tube makes a nice WIFI antenae booster.
to prevent your tinfoil helmet acting as ray catcher you better walk on solid rock only.
pringles tubes are used as directional waveguide if the source is within the can, but wont boost anything. u can wear one casually on a necklace but watch out – it mustnt point at your head!
Thistle’s helmet makes her look sooooooooooo hot…. Thank you Nanny….
Ok… I’m shallow!
Seriously? You think a bike helmet looks sexy?
I remember a brief time when chicks wore lycra shorts to the mall. If she was in good shape, yeah it looked sexy. But I can’t imagine a bike helmet making anyone look better, and I’ve sure never seen any girl wear it around just for style. They look almost as goofy as what the Cat in the Hat wears.
I wear my helmet religiously while mountain biking. I’ve got plenty of personal anecdotal evidence that its a good idea. But otherwise I just don’t believe anyone else should legislate my safety. I’ve had plenty of commuting crashes both wearing and not wearing my helmet. I’ve only hit my head once, and all the helmet saved that time was a little skin.
My major concern while riding is being struck by a car. Bicycle helmets are not designed to prevent injury in that type of crash, and until they are I don’t see the realistic benefit of wearing one.
Having said all that, I wear my helmet fairly religiously even while commuting, the reason being that I don’t want to get screwed over by some fascist insurance company that would shove the responsibility off on me for not wearing a helmet. It’s my own insurance against ignorance.
you only wear a helmet for safety while mountainbiking ? i can give you some first hand infos about why you should also protect extremities and torso while doing extreme sports. gladly i got no personal experience other than the helmet equivalent – my knee pad safed my knee..
I don’t like manditory helmet laws myself, but I’m not horrified of them. It’s not a draconian measure unless you are convinced it is. It’s just a piece of plastic to protect your head. You can get one cheap or free from many bike shops and support groups. “Talisman”? Have to strongly disagree with Yehuda on that one. Jewlery doesn’t save lives, helmets do.
The various Australian states passed mandatory helmet laws. Riding is way down, but the accident rate is the same.
Depends on the jewelry. I won’t go anywhere without my Goddess pendant!
it is more than that. it is a piece of equipment one need to take care of. it needs space in my flat, it needs to be kept somewhere while I am in the shop, the cafè, office and a lot of other places. Other than my Motorbike, my bike has no place to store a helmet dry an theftproof… at least one more item i frequently tend to forget…
“Jewlery doesn’t save lives, helmets do” Do they? if there where a real proof, we won’t have this discussion…
You know, it comes down to pretty much the same thing people have been saying all along about Lance Armstrong — you can’t prove a negative. The anecdotal “my helmet saved my life” can neither be proven nor disproven unless one is willing to go through exactly the same incident under exactly the same circumstance sans helmet with the end result being a fatality.
You may conduct this experiment with yourself as the test subject if you wish, but not me.
I have a hard time believing a bicycle helmet (like the one in the comic) would protect against the kind of crash shown in this video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KsivCHB_zzk#!
relevant clips start at 2 minute mark …
Whatever, I think there are bigger fish to fry than helmet laws.
@ Kapusta: Wedges have thin ends.
@Troiker – Do you mean those tapered chips with the thin, hard, end that can cut metal and are usually brown?
@Kapusta – I tried frying fish in a helmet but it melted
The fish?
@ Troiker & Zorba: Not every law that gets passed is the wedge in some larger liberty-robbing agenda (in fact, most are not). I don’t think helmet laws make a lot of sense, but not every law I disagree with is a sign of impending doom. Take a deep breath and calm down. And stay off the conspiracy sites.
Many states have had seatbelt laws and helmets laws for motorcycles for quite some time. I am not aware of either having led to the ushering in of a fascist/socialist state.
Never make the mistake of thinking LAWS are a good thing, they’re not. Allow me to quote Lewis again: “Do not let us mistake necessary evils for good.” LAWS are, at the very best, “Necessary Evils” – and most rapidly devolve into the lack of the word “necessary” – leaving only evil.
I totally disagree with seatbelt and motorcycle helmet laws for the same reasons I do bike helmet laws. The Socialist state feels compelled to control everyone’s actions as the state has forced everyone to be responsible for everyone else. The Fascist state feels compelled to control everyone’s actions for so-called “Moral” reasons – which are even more evil than LAWS.
For every LAW the idiots in “authority” over us pass, they should be required to repeal two. Someone famous said that…
I can’t say I agree with Kapusta – chicken**** LAWS whittle away at our freedoms. “A law we can live with” is the excuse the legalists usually give for a petty law. No thank you, I’m not buying.
This whole issue smacks of legislated morality – which never works and is seldom ethical.
Oh! How could I forget? Legislated morality is symptomatic of the Socialist-Liberal Nanny State ™ -=AND=- the Fascist-Theocratic Nanny State ™. In which case we have the two poles of evil…
I wear a helmet in the UK because in the few incidents I’ve had, mainly when I’ve made the mistake and gone down the road / trail on my ass I have scuffed my helmet and not my face or had any concussion etc that I MIGHT have done otherwise.
for me, that alone is worth it.
I have also been over a car bonnet where the helmet perhaps only saved me from having a bit of a headache – I know that in an accident that I leave the scene by ambulance that the jury is still out, but in the ones I get up and walk straight away it’s seemed to be useful so far.
however, I still see it as personal choice.
Ah well, I guess since eveyone is paying into health insurance these days anyway I won’t end up indirectly funding your vegetable state anymore whether or not you do ignore all the studies that make the case for helmets. Have at it folks. The numerous studies provide enough evidence for me to wear mine most of the time. Think I’ll take a break for awhile.
Since more people suffer head injuries in the home, when walking, and when driving, than when cycling, I sincerely hope you and your family are helmeted 24/7.
Thistle looks good in a helmet, well she looks good period.
Go, Yehuda, Defy that unjust law! Don’t let the legal engine become a tyrannical force!
Yehuda needs to spend more time riding and less time preaching about it. That’s where some of his best adventures have begun! He can always bring his cat along for an autumn overnight tour!
the helmet thing is beginning to reek
What do the Third Reich, Khmer Rouge, Maoist Revolution, and Stalinist Russia all have in common?
They all started with helmet laws.
Helmets again? Glad I never subscribed. I’m sick of the zealots on both sides of the argument.
It’s a personal choice, you don’t need one if you’re twiddling along on a Dutch two miler on a dutch bike path, but for fast road riding especially in heavy traffic, and mountain biking, I personally think they’re a good idea.
Agree with 2wheeler, the best strips are always about riding, not preaching, and now that the perfect fall bike weather is here I’m going mountain biking (with a helmet, because I’ll be risk compensating, and you can’t stop me Yehuda).
Pink is definitely Thistle’s colour. Definitely.
I wouldn’t worry about it. It’ll get too expensive to enforce and thus become useless.
It is okay if one personaly decides to wear a helmet. But do not ask other to do so until it is really proved they help.
And always be aware that cycle helmets only provide a very limited protection. And often can be harmfull.