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Helmets - the definitive thread.. ** Mod Note - Please read Opening Post **

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Comments

  • #2462
    cletus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,396 ✭✭✭cletus


    I would always wear a helmet if I'm out for a long cycle at the weekend, say.

    But if I'm going to the shops, or a spin around Naas at lunch time or in between classes, I'd never put on a helmet.


    No real reasoning on my behalf for this



  • #2463
    TheAnalyst_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,371 ✭✭✭TheAnalyst_


    Never wear one. They look dumb.



  • #2464
    Paddigol
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,232 ✭✭✭Paddigol


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336329#Comment_121336329

    Each to their own, but given their intended purpose that would be pretty much bottom of my list of reasons for not wearing one.

    Caliper and disc brakes are ugly to varying degrees, but you wouldn't catch me riding a pure fixie on the roads.



  • #2465
    fiacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 805 ✭✭✭fiacha


    I always wear one. I already look like a prat in lycra so adding a helmet to the outfit doesn't bother me :D

    I don't expect it to work miracles, but I'll always wear PPE if there is a chance of it reducing / preventing injury in certain situations. Same goes for working with tools , chemicals etc.



  • #2466
    cletus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,396 ✭✭✭cletus


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336676#Comment_121336676

    That might be part of it. If I'm pulling on bib shorts and a jersey, I'll put on a helmet too. If I'm tucking the right leg of my jeans into my sock to go for a bit of a meander, or get some milk, it won't even cross my mind.

    I might pull on a cycling cap, but that's just pure affectation 🤣



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  • #2467
    Jim2007
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,830 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336329#Comment_121336329

    They don't look nearly as dumb as the person lying death on side of the road with their head split open. I have never seen a study that says even if you wear a helmet your are as like as not to have your head split open.

    I never wore a helmet until I say my neighbour lying dead on the side of the road as result of have split her head on a kerb stone about 200m from her home. There was no other car involved, it is believed she just clipped the edge of parked car and went splatter into the footpath. She was the mother of three young children and was just on the way to the shops.

    Now everyone on my street wear a helmet when they out on their bikes.



  • #2468
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,571 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336676#Comment_121336676


    So you wear one while out walking too then?



  • #2469
    TheAnalyst_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,371 ✭✭✭TheAnalyst_


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336707#Comment_121336707

    How dumb do think poeple look split in two under the wheel of a truck?



  • #2470
    fiacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 805 ✭✭✭fiacha


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336745#Comment_121336745

    Nope, I don't feel the need for fall / impact protection when out walking. I do believe that there is a far greater risk of a head injury if I have a fall or collision while on the bike so it makes perfect sense to me to wear a helmet.



  • #2471
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 52,497 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    my behaviour sounds similar to many above - i wear one when out on the bike for the sake of a bike ride (which usually last an hour or more) but if i'm running an errand, i don't. more likely



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  • #2472
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,845 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336707#Comment_121336707

    Strange how people who witness gory car crashes don't suddenly become enthusiastic converts to wearing crash helmets in the car.



  • #2473
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,571 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336940#Comment_121336940


    More pedestrians have been killed this year then cyclists or escooter users combined several times over, there's certainly a benefit to be had.



  • #2474
    cletus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,396 ✭✭✭cletus


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121340645#Comment_121340645

    Well, you're extrapolating from data we don't have. How many pedestrians were struck and not killed, how many cyclists were struck and not killed, how many had helmets on, what's the ratio of pedestrians to cyclists, and how does that compare to the ratio of deaths between the two etc.


    You can't just say helmets have saved lives because more pedestrians than cyclists were killed.



  • #2475
    fiacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 805 ✭✭✭fiacha


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121340645#Comment_121340645

    All of these pedestrian fatalities were as a result of head injuries that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet ? Do you have anything to support your claim ? If so, you should be going to the media and Gov highlighting it. Fair play to you for putting all that work in. Very impressive.

    *added "pedestrian" to clarify which fatalities I was referring to.

    Post edited by fiacha on


  • #2476
    average_runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,881 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341290#Comment_121341290

    I know a helmet saved my daughter from a serious dash on her head when she fell off and hit the curve.

    They do offer protection, but not going to protect you from eveything.


    Why do professional cyclists wear them or have to wear them?



  • #2477
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 52,497 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    Most people won't argue that if you're going to hit your head, that you'd be better off without a helmet than with one. The question is that is the focus on them while cycling (which has to be the only everyday activity where wearing one is considered de rigeur by the public at large) justified?

    Anecdotally speaking, I know more people who died of head injuries while hillwalking than I know who suffered the same fate cycling (the number of people I know is one, FWIW). And I know more cyclists than I do hillwalkers. And I'm certainly not arguing that hillwalkers should wear helmets.



  • #2478
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 52,497 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341323#Comment_121341323

    Why do professional cyclists wear them or have to wear them?

    Comparing racing cycling - where average speeds would probably be more than double the average commuting cyclist speed - while also doing so in bunch sprints, etc., is not a comparison which stretches very far. Like comparing mandatory safety equipment used in Motorsport which is not required in a family car.



  • #2479
    fiacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 805 ✭✭✭fiacha


    IMO we are all responsible for our own personal safety. As long as your decision doesn't put someone else at risk, then do what you want.

    If helmet / hi-viz requirements were introduced tomorrow, how long would it be before it stopped being enforced regularly ? I rememeber seeing a good few commuters being stopped for a few weeks after the cycling specific fines came in, but I haven't seen it happen since. Do others see cyclists being stopped at all ?

    I'd much rather see the Gov put focus on highly visible and consistant enforcement of the existing regulations relating to all road users. However that will involve an increase in the number of Gardai (and a kick up the hole for the existing ones that don't bother enforcing the current laws :D), so unlikely to happen.



  • #2480
    Paddigol
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,232 ✭✭✭Paddigol


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341323#Comment_121341323

    If we're holding up pro cycling as the gold standard of safety for the rest of us, you probably don't want to consider the requirements for F1, Rallycross or any other professional motor sport...



  • #2481
    Paddigol
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,232 ✭✭✭Paddigol


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341773#Comment_121341773

    Like the gardai I saw cruise through the amber-turning-red lights on my lunch break a few minutes ago? Nobody gives a s**t about road safety, if we're honest. Which is what p!sses cyclists off about being lectured to by motorists, the RSA and the Gardai.



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  • #2482
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 42,942 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341773#Comment_121341773

    IMO we are all responsible for our own personal safety.

    That is a widely incorrect statement because it ignores the fact that while one can do everything to protect their personal safety, they cannot get others to follow suit. This is why some drivers will deliberately take chances with my safety because they are prioritising their convenience (or in some cases it is just plain old malice).



  • #2483
    fiacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 805 ✭✭✭fiacha


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341926#Comment_121341926

    You left a bit of my comment out.

    "IMO we are all responsible for our own personal safety. As long as your decision doesn't put someone else at risk, then do what you want."



  • #2484
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 42,942 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121342247#Comment_121342247

    I didn't really. I am being responsible for my safety and my decision is not putting someone at risk.

    What your statement is doing is still putting the onus for my safety on me and ignores the reality that because we've allowed a piss poor level of road traffic enforcement to develop, people driving feel that they can treat me on a bike with disdain knowing that they will get away with it. If I did choose to report them, there is a very high probability that nothing will happen because I didn't die or something.

    You are assuming that everyne else will drive with due care and attention when we know that they are allowed not to.



  • #2485
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336707#Comment_121336707

    Actually, there are several, maybe not using your evocative language but at a population level, wearing helmets and not wearing helmets makes no noticeable difference to head injuries.



  • #2486
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341773#Comment_121341773

    Seen a lad stopped for cycling on the pavement in Wexford the other day. Over the moon as he was dropping me with ease. It was south of the town with no pedestrians so no real danger but good to see it was being enforced.



  • #2487
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121336676#Comment_121336676

    An interesting thing here though, any safety professional worth their salt will tell you PPE is the last ditch attempt to make an activity acceptable in terms of risk. Cycling is more than acceptable in terms of risk without it in most scenarios, hence why if you done a risk assessment properly, you'd find the need for a helmet would not really come into it.



  • #2488
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,845 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341323#Comment_121341323

    Why do professional drivers wear crash helmets and fire retardant suits?



  • #2489
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121344607#Comment_121344607

    Sh1ts and giggles I presume



  • #2490
    Hurrache
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,381 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Good article by Orla Chennaoui.

    https://twitter.com/SportsOrla/status/1722883794124845282




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  • #2491
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,666 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    I'd be like others - wear one when I'm going for a spin, don't bother if I'm nipping to the shops in civvies. Bicycle helmets are designed for single impact of falling off (as in average runners daughter's case below), rather than the usual collision with someone driving a vehicle where it is multi-impact.

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121341323#Comment_121341323

    Why do Pro's have to wear them? Well in part it was a knee jerk reaction, part because some countries made it mandatory for racing, and now because it's serious sponsorship for the sport. It wasn't a groundswell of evidence.



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