Is it safer to wear a helmet or not to wear one?

irishdude11

I've read up alot of information on the net describing how wearing a helmet increases your chances of having an accident and how there is no proof that it actually assists you in the event of such an accident.

So what's the general consensus, are helmets just a money spinner for the cycling industry or are they really helpful in the event of an accident?

shamrock55

Cant believe how anyone would think it would be safer not to wear one and how in the name of god could one cause an accident

IM0

irishdude11 wrote: »

I've read up alot of information on the net describing how wearing a helmet increases your chances of having an accident and how there is no proof that it actually assists you in the event of such an accident.

So what's the general consensus, are helmets just a money spinner for the cycling industry or are they really helpful in the event of an accident?

lolz

abcdggs

shamrock55 wrote: »

Cant believe how anyone would think it would be safer not to wear one and how in the name of god could one cause an accident

I understand drivers feel safer to drive closer when they see a cyclist wearing a helmet. I imagine the safety gain from having a helmet is negated by an increased number of accident caused by drivers driving too close.

killalanerr

is it Friday again i never ware one they spoils my hair

theholyghost

irishdude11 wrote: »

I've read up alot of information on the net describing how wearing a helmet increases your chances of having an accident and how there is no proof that it actually assists you in the event of such an accident.

So what's the general consensus, are helmets just a money spinner for the cycling industry or are they really helpful in the event of an accident?

Look at one of mine or somebody else's helmets that have been split open in accidents, and ask would you rather it happened to your helmet or your skull? It amazes me when I see people out without helmets.

easygoing39

Is the OP starting the April Fools joke early???

Mr.Fred

Has this topic not already been done to death.

How could you not wear a helmet!!!!

helmets do nothing they're only polystyrene!!

I hate helmets...

I love helmets...

I crashed and a helmet saved my life...

I know a guy who knows a guy who suffered an injury caused by his helmet during a fall...

Why are they compulsory in races..

Blah blah Blah blah Blah..

If wearing a helmet makes you feel safer and hides your bald spot then why wouldn't you wear one..

If you're fearless and love the breeze in your flowing locks why would you wear one...

It's kinda like a condom when the time comes I'd rather be wearing one to be honest

Mycroft H

Helmet megathread > http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=83764016

Popoutman

Here's an empirical test for you to get first-hand data for your answer.

Wearing a helmet, run head-first into a wall. then remove helmet and run into wall again. Which hurts more?

<serious>
It's always a good idea to wear a helmet as it will protect you from a greater injury in the vast majority of cases compared to being without a helmet in a crash. Those corner cases where the helmet wearing may contribute to an injury generally are so rare that the benefit of wearing the helmet far far outweighs the possible cost.

Now, if the question was "does the wearing of a helmet make it more likely to be involved in a collision on Irish roads" you'd likely get a slightly different answer from the people on here.

Personally, I'll wear a helmet on the road bike at all times purely because of the speed possibility riding that bike allows; I'll wear an appropriate helmet (full-face or XC) when on the full-suss all-mountain bike offroad, as my chances of hitting my head on something hard at speed is high enough to warrant it (though I did manage 14 vertical km of descent over 9 days in the alps on the bike without falling). If I'm pootling about on the commuter single-speed, I'll often go helmet-less as the risk to me isn't great enough to warrant the helmet.

The topic has been done to death here, and the general consensus is that helmet wearing is a good idea.

CramCycle

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