Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on May 21, 2010 at 1:38pm

I'm always surprised how many people goes riding without a helmet...thought of falling off bike without helmet is probably the scariest thing on the road

Then maybe ya should learn how to fall off your bike!

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Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on May 21, 2010 at 1:54pm

Although the link is not causal, it is observed that the countries with the best cycle safety records (Denmark and the Netherlands) have among the lowest levels of helmet use.[115] Their bicycle safety record is generally attributed to public awareness and understanding of cyclists, safety in numbers, education, and to some extent separation from motor traffic...
Studies have also shown that riding a bike with out a helmet is no more dangerous than being a pedestrian...

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Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on May 21, 2010 at 2:04pm

Overall, cycling is beneficial to health – the benefits outweigh the risks by up to 20:1.[28]. To cycling activists, the major problem with helmet promotion is that in order to present the idea of a "problem" to match the solution they present, promoters tend to overstate the dangers of cycling.[29][30] Cycling is no more dangerous than being a pedestrian.[31][32] A UK opponent of compulsion has pointed out that it "still takes at least 8000 years of average cycling to produce one clinically severe head injury and 22,000 years for one death."[33] Ordinary cycling is not demonstrably more dangerous than walking or driving, yet no country promotes helmets for either of these modes.[34] "The inherent risks of road cycling are trivial... Six times as many pedestrians as cyclists are killed by motor traffic, yet travel surveys show annual mileage walked is only five times that cycled; a mile of walking must be more "dangerous" than a mile of cycling..." The proportion of cyclist injuries which are head injuries is essentially the same as the proportion for pedestrians at 30.0 % vs. 30.1 %.[35]

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 21, 2010 at 3:19pm

Thanks for a reminder Chuck, why you're one of my friends.

Chuck a Muck said:

Overall, cycling is beneficial to health – the benefits outweigh the risks by up to 20:1.[28]. To cycling activists, the major problem with helmet promotion is that in order to present the idea of a "problem" to match the solution they present, promoters tend to overstate the dangers of cycling.[29][30] Cycling is no more dangerous than being a pedestrian.[31][32] A UK opponent of compulsion has pointed out that it "still takes at least 8000 years of average cycling to produce one clinically severe head injury and 22,000 years for one death."[33] Ordinary cycling is not demonstrably more dangerous than walking or driving, yet no country promotes helmets for either of these modes.[34] "The inherent risks of road cycling are trivial... Six times as many pedestrians as cyclists are killed by motor traffic, yet travel surveys show annual mileage walked is only five times that cycled; a mile of walking must be more "dangerous" than a mile of cycling..." The proportion of cyclist injuries which are head injuries is essentially the same as the proportion for pedestrians at 30.0 % vs. 30.1 %.[35]

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Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on May 21, 2010 at 11:43pm

I don't swear! !! Whoot! !! Whoot! !!

H3N3 said:

Um . . . more expensive helmets are more expensive because they offer better ventilation and otherwise better design without the safety dropping below acceptable levels. Guess you don't sweat much . . .

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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Connor on May 22, 2010 at 2:21am

Speaking of...

REI has Giro Atmos helmets on sale for $131. Ionos Livestrong helmet for the slight sum of $170.

H3N3 said:

Um . . . more expensive helmets are more expensive because they offer better ventilation and otherwise better design without the safety dropping below acceptable levels. Guess you don't sweat much . . .

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on May 22, 2010 at 2:33am

Someone once told me, "Statistics are like bikinis- what they reveal is interesting; what they conceal is essential."

Chuck a Muck said:

Overall, cycling is beneficial to health – the benefits outweigh the risks by up to 20:1.[28]. To cycling activists, the major problem with helmet promotion is that in order to present the idea of a "problem" to match the solution they present, promoters tend to overstate the dangers of cycling.[29][30] Cycling is no more dangerous than being a pedestrian.[31][32] A UK opponent of compulsion has pointed out that it "still takes at least 8000 years of average cycling to produce one clinically severe head injury and 22,000 years for one death."[33] Ordinary cycling is not demonstrably more dangerous than walking or driving, yet no country promotes helmets for either of these modes.[34] "The inherent risks of road cycling are trivial... Six times as many pedestrians as cyclists are killed by motor traffic, yet travel surveys show annual mileage walked is only five times that cycled; a mile of walking must be more "dangerous" than a mile of cycling..." The proportion of cyclist injuries which are head injuries is essentially the same as the proportion for pedestrians at 30.0 % vs. 30.1 %.[35]

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Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on May 22, 2010 at 5:23am

Adriana,
These are facts!
Did you know that as you age your brain shrinks, But not your skull. That remains same size! So your rate will go up for head trauma cause of this. People over 30 should be particularly careful because their gray matter is not packed as tightly as it used to be. And I don’t mean that only figuratively.

2ND; Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injuries by up to 88 percent and facial injuries by 65 percent, according to a Bike riders who play against those odds do not fare well in accidents. More than 90 percent of the 714 bicyclists killed in 2008 were not wearing helmets, according to the

3rd; CHEAP CAN BE SAFE! According to a study by the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va., $10 helmets from Wal-Mart Stores and Target held up just as well as more expensive models from high-end outlets. an independent lab test six helmets in different price ranges. The report summarized its findings: “When you pay more for a helmet you may get an easier fit, more vents and snazzier graphics. But the basic impact protection of the cheap helmets we tested equaled the expensive ones.” ONE FALL PER HELMET! Most bike helmets are lined with expanded polystyrene foam, typically abbreviated as E.P.S. When you fall, the foam compacts (even though your helmet may look perfectly fine) and so will not cushion a subsequent blow adequately.

Because materials degrade over time, it is wise to replace your helmet every five to seven years. If your helmet dates from 2003 or earlier, buy yourself a new one.

4Th; LOOK FOR A C.P.S.C. STICKER! The sticker ensures that the product has met the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standards. The commission requires that helmets be tested for impact resistance on special rigs, that they offer adequate peripheral vision and that their straps be sturdy, among other measures. Helmets are tested in a variety of conditions: when they are hot, wet, cold and at room temperature.

LAST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN; BE A ROLE MODEL! !! Whoot! !! Whoot! !!

For Safety Classes Check out Albany Park Bikes (A.P.B.) at:
http://AlbanyParkBikes.org

Adriana said:

The most severe head injury I have ever experienced was slipping on some black ice (on foot) and using my head as a tuning fork...boingggggggg. Not counting all the times my parents probably dropped me on my head as a baby. I won't discourage anyone from doing anything that makes them feel secure, but I also feel this contributes to the pussyfication of America...meow. I mean, people think I am crazy just for riding in the street, is that going to stop me? No. Does that mean I will suffer a preventable head injury one day? Who knows. I can take a licking and keep on ticking. We are all capable of shear stupidity at times for various reasons (Damn tired), its just a question of luck. For the most part, I try my best to ride safe. I just hope I get a lavender ghost bike and a giant statue that breaths fire and shouts "Remember Me!"

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Permalink Reply by heather s on May 22, 2010 at 6:59am

Is that really relevant? Amy Y is remarking upon her experience here in Chicago. We are not in Denmark or the Netherlands. There is little public awareness of cyclists, relatively few numbers, and almost no cycling education nor separation from traffic in Chicago.

I will look forward to the day when cycling here is comparable to that in Northern Europe.... until then, I'll keep my helmet on for most trips.

Chuck a Muck said:

Although the link is not causal, it is observed that the countries with the best cycle safety records (Denmark and the Netherlands) have among the lowest levels of helmet use.[115] Their bicycle safety record is generally attributed to public awareness and understanding of cyclists, safety in numbers, education, and to some extent separation from motor traffic...
Studies have also shown that riding a bike with out a helmet is no more dangerous than being a pedestrian...

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Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on May 22, 2010 at 7:44am

No, I'm not calling you old. I'm not trying to down you or any of that. What I tying to said was to educate you on some bike safety for you & to support Amy Y topic. This is just a medical fact that everybody's brain shrinks after age 30. So this creates more room for bouncing. Which that is were you may receive some brain trauma without realizing.

Adriana said:

People over thirty?...are you calling me old :p

I am not arguing the benefit of using a helmet. Again... I am not arguing the benefit of using a helmet. What I am trying to say is that we are all individuals; as such, we have different risk comfort levels. Biking in traffic, jumping out of an airplane, rock climbing, working in an office, race car driving, motocross etc. Technically, one could become a hermit and increase safety, but that is no fun.

role model? Hmmm that is another can of worms. I have not gone pro yet.

Simpson vs. Tatum "Payback"

'Why, I could wallop you all day with this surgical two-by-four'

I'm with Howard; I'm blowing this joint.

buddaa38 said:

Adriana,
These are facts! Did you know that as you age your brain shrinks, But not your skull. That remains same size! So your rate will go up for head trauma cause of this. People over 30 should be particularly careful because their gray matter is not packed as tightly as it used to be. And I don’t mean that only figuratively.
2ND; Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injuries by up to 88 percent and facial injuries by 65 percent, according to a Bike riders who play against those odds do not fare well in accidents. More than 90 percent of the 714 bicyclists killed in 2008 were not wearing helmets, according to the

3rd; CHEAP CAN BE SAFE! According to a study by the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va., $10 helmets from Wal-Mart Stores and Target held up just as well as more expensive models from high-end outlets. an independent lab test six helmets in different price ranges. The report summarized its findings: “When you pay more for a helmet you may get an easier fit, more vents and snazzier graphics. But the basic impact protection of the cheap helmets we tested equaled the expensive ones.” ONE FALL PER HELMET! Most bike helmets are lined with expanded polystyrene foam, typically abbreviated as E.P.S. When you fall, the foam compacts (even though your helmet may look perfectly fine) and so will not cushion a subsequent blow adequately.

Because materials degrade over time, it is wise to replace your helmet every five to seven years. If your helmet dates from 2003 or earlier, buy yourself a new one.

4Th; LOOK FOR A C.P.S.C. STICKER! The sticker ensures that the product has met the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standards. The commission requires that helmets be tested for impact resistance on special rigs, that they offer adequate peripheral vision and that their straps be sturdy, among other measures. Helmets are tested in a variety of conditions: when they are hot, wet, cold and at room temperature.

LAST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN; BE A ROLE MODEL! !! Whoot! !! Whoot! !!

For Safety Classes Check out Albany Park Bikes (A.P.B.) at:
http://AlbanyParkBikes.org

Adriana said:

The most severe head injury I have ever experienced was slipping on some black ice (on foot) and using my head as a tuning fork...boingggggggg. Not counting all the times my parents probably dropped me on my head as a baby. I won't discourage anyone from doing anything that makes them feel secure, but I also feel this contributes to the pussyfication of America...meow. I mean, people think I am crazy just for riding in the street, is that going to stop me? No. Does that mean I will suffer a preventable head injury one day? Who knows. I can take a licking and keep on ticking. We are all capable of shear stupidity at times for various reasons (Damn tired), its just a question of luck. For the most part, I try my best to ride safe. I just hope I get a lavender ghost bike and a giant statue that breaths fire and shouts "Remember Me!"

• ▶ Reply