Re: Why we should bike w/o a helmet--from the TED conference

Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Jan 3, 9:27 pm, James <james.e.stew...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Jan 3, 12:30 pm, Duane H bert <duaneheb...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On 1/3/2011 11:13 AM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
It _is_ a fact that bike helmets and ski helmets are tested and
certified for only 14 mph impacts. It's not just my opinion.
If you would do more reading, you would understand the difference.
And it's your opinion that since it's tested for a 14mph impact it
is useless in most actual cases where there's an impact to the head.
Actually, I don't believe I've ever said "useless."
So, what is your opinion? Useless or not?

I think "useless" implies absolute zero protection, and I don't think
bike helmets (or ski helmets) provide absolute zero protection.
They're not totally useless, since as many of us have said, they
obviously prevent certain minor bumps and scrapes, if nothing else.

That's a start.

Bike helmets are an ineffective solution to an imaginary problem.

Right, if you don't like me saying that in a race I'm constantly accelerating (even though I proved that it is true with changes in both speed and direction), I cannot let you get away with saying that there is an imaginary problem.

If it was imaginary it would not exist - at all. Zero, ziltch, zip. However cyclists do occasionally suffer head injuries, therefore the problem cannot be imaginary.

You should say, given your belief system, that bicycle helmets are an ineffective solution to the prevention of head injuries when the impact speed greatly exceeds their rated test impact speed.

I use the word "greatly" intentionally to be inaccurate, because we do not know at what speed precisely above 14mph a helmet becomes completely ineffective.

Furthermore, the study that Andre often has spoken about, I believe demonstrates that bicycle helmets do have a positive impact/effect (excuse the pun, and it's not the place to use affect) on preventing serious head injuries.

(Don't argue Andre's conclusions with me though, contest them with him.)

JS.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Why we should bike w/o a helmet--from the TED conference
    ... On 1/4/2011 3:23 PM, Jay Beattie wrote: ... It's not just my opinion. ... is useless in most actual cases where there's an impact to the head. ... bike helmets provide absolute zero protection. ...
    (rec.bicycles.tech)
  • Re: Head protection - the case against
    ... I don't think anyone has said they are useless and dangerous. ... We have said that there is no evidence they prevent or mitigate head injuries other than minor scratches and scrapes and there is some evidence that they may exacerbate injuries. ... In a similar way the critics of helmets are going against 'common sense' and will also quote references without giving any content from them. ... To me the idea of compulsory helmet wearing is unwelcome since the last thing that I want to see is a reduction in the number of cyclists. ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)
  • Re: Use Your Head: Wear A Helmet
    ... The Highway Code & the BMA all recommend helmets. ... "The report concludes that head protection could reduce the incidence ... and severity of head injuries among pedal cyclists". ... "A study of 100 consecutive head injuries in cyclists admitted to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth found that 70% of the cyclists' heads hit the road first, and 17% hit a flat, yielding surface, like a car body panel. ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)
  • Re: Are Helmets Completely Worthless as a Safety Device for a Bike Commuter?
    ... grossly in excess of what helmets are meant to protect against. ... The protection comes at the lower end of the injury scale. ... just because bicycle helmets do ... between serious head injuries and fatal head injuries, ...
    (rec.bicycles.tech)
  • Re: Beware the rogue bicycles
    ... most of the cyclists who die had head injuries. ... Surely, if helmets prevent head injuries, then in countries that have ... mandatory laws and high wearing rates, the rate of head injury would ... since more motorists die with head injuries than do cyclists. ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)