Comments on: How to choose a bicycle helmet

By: Rick Sutton

Rick Sutton — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:39:38 +0000

What do we think of the Nutcase helmets? I was considering one of these but mainly from the “trendy” perspective. I would like some assurance that these are a good and provide protection?

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Cycle Helmet Camera | Cycle Helmet Cameras — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:47:30 +0000

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By: RJ

RJ — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:40:56 +0000

An important question this article doesn’t answer is which foam type to consider (eps foam for one-impact protection, hard hat Brock foam for multiple impacts, lighter foam like Bern’s zip foam, or some water-safe foam for folks who aren’t held back by long rides in the rain, etc.). Also, how seriously should we take the warnings about dropping the helmet? Most helmets are supposedly useless after just one drop, the lighter and sportier helmet types are particularly vulnerable. Also it’s worth mentioning there are much more stylish/practical helmets available than the ones mentioned. Bern’s sink fit models are particularly nice. For men: watts, Macon and Brentwood models. I for one would love help navigating the foam question.

By: Paul Jakma

Paul Jakma — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 09:40:30 +0000

Last winter I was hit by a car. I landed on the bonnet, slid across it then fell onto my head on the ground. My skull saved my life. Thankfully I wasn’t wearing a helmet, or I might have suffered a neck injury (scientifically reviewed data says is statistically likely).

By: Don

Don — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:58:22 +0000

My brother came off his bike 4 weeks ago and was hospitalised overnight with severe concussion. Had he not been wearing his helmet, he would be dead.

Please stop trying to put people off wearing helmets. Perhaps you should try to find the statistics relating to number of deaths while wearing a helmet and deaths when not.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:10:57 +0000

MrColostomy – to misquote the Cohen Brothers ‘obvioulsly you are not an engineer.’

By: tim gummer

tim gummer — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:56:38 +0000

Of course they scare people Phil. I must admit that’s a new one: I haven’t heard the seatbelt comparison before.

There is a sharp parallel with the introduction of helmet laws in both Australia and my own New Zealand, and a massive decline in cycling, so yeah – they scare people. Be thankful your own transport and cycling minister gets this (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23945179-minister-for-cycling-refuses-to-back-pedal-in-helmet-row.do), as does your mayor.

Need I also spell out that seatbelts are substantially less uncomfortable and intrusive than bicycle dangerwear, and like airbags, are invisible to outside observers? Also, that the dangers of driving are obfuscated by a multi-billion dollar marketing campaign to convince us of the canard of ‘freedom’ to be found, driving on an open road – when the reality is day to day vehicular congestion.

I will come back to the key consideration here: what do the successful cycling societies do?

All of the high cycling modal share countries (as in 10-40% of trips cycling) are almost entirely (as in 99%+) helmet-free. This is not a state they graduated to – they have been helmet-free from the earlier stages of near total car dominance such as we in the english speaking world suffer now, up until this present day; and their ascension has been assisted by the lack of the very barriers and danger culture which we, with our tragic road warrior cycling cultures, cling to.

Crap cycling isn’t just the fault of car drivers – it’s something we have chosen to perpetuate ourselves. I have nothing against a bit of colour, I’m not stupid and I wear a white afghan hat at night to remind my vehicular neighbours that I exist, but while helmets and roadworkers’ jackets might have seemed like a good idea at the time (hell, I thought so once): in the bigger picture, they have proven to be anything but.

By: Phil Russell

Phil Russell — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:06:30 +0000

Tim G.,
So, helmets and bright clothing terrify people and put them off the idea of cycling, do they? Then surely car-seatbelts, air-bags and so on must put people off driving because these safety factors suggest driving must be dangerous…not too convincing, given the huge increase in traffic volumes since 1970!

By: tranquility

tranquility — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:51:51 +0000

Brilliant – I would enjoy listeneing to you over a few beers and then pedalling off home free from kit foisted upon society by people who are unable to balance the risk factors. Whether you are right or wrong doesn’t matter – just a pleasure to hear. I think there is a time and place for everything. Best wishes and thanks for a refreshing response.

By: tim gummer

tim gummer — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:08:29 +0000

Seeing as you asked, tranquility, I feel bound to say that riding confidently, upright, on a nice solid bike will greatly diminish the chances of being hit by a car. Cars notice me and give me a substantially wider girth since I stopped wearing helmets. I am quite sure i’m literally safer without a helmet. European (sorry, I mean er.. Continental, er.. chaps..) societies have virtually no helmets worn, and far fewer casualties then helmet-wearing and helmet-legislated societies, like my own sad and sorry home. We in the English speaking world (what is our problem?) will never approach the richness of european cycle friendly societies if we cling to a culture of fear.

Helmets seemed like a great idea at the time, but their pernicious effect on cycling numbers is all well known and well documented. So considering the bigger picture, I also choose to not wear a helmet or roadworker’s flouroviz, because it scares the bejezuz out of people who might otherwise consider cycling, thereby ensuring less cycle riders on roads, and a less safe environment for people on bicycles. Helmets and hi-viz are a cruelly self fullfilling prophecy of cycling doom.

It’s extremely unlikely, but I may be flattened by a lorry tomorrow. That said, I’m more incentivised to ride and enjoy a healthier, longer lifespan, without a helmet, than with one.