Bicycle Helmet?!

[Copper]

I don't expect that there is any need for this, but I agree wholehearted with LizzieMaine, as stated earlier.

Far from a non-rider, I ride mountain bike, roadies and years ago, velodrome.

I also ride motorcycles and drive cars with a professional class license. For what its worth, I also fly a plane and hold a license for boats. Still waiting for the age of Zepplins to return so I can get qualified in one of those though...

There are valid criticisms of bicycle riders, motorcycle riders, drivers, pilots and boaters. That no group is without fault in no way negates criticism of another group.

 

[mister7]

Wow! An accomplished guy. I gotta know where you got your velodrome experience. Nearest track to me is Colorado Springs (olympic facility) Needless to say, highly restricted as to its use!

There has long been talk of building a track here in Duke City, but now the city is behind the idea and it might actually happen in my lifetime. Fingers crossed!

I agree bad behaviour by opposing groups does not negate any of it. I just find it strange to be talking about cycling gear and that morphs into broad criticisms of cyclists. I find it curious since statistically on your trip to work today, how many riders did you see? 50? 100? Doubdtful but possible. Now, how many cars? Minimum 20,000 Maybe many more depending on your neck-o-the-woods.

I ask, which group was more problematic? I just want a little perspective is all. I intend no personal attack

 

[Copper]

Wow! An accomplished guy. I gotta know where you got your velodrome experience. Nearest track to me is Colorado Springs (olympic facility) Needless to say, highly restricted as to its use!

There has long been talk of building a track here in Duke City, but now the city is behind the idea and it might actually happen in my lifetime. Fingers crossed!

I agree bad behaviour by opposing groups does not negate any of it. I just find it strange to be talking about cycling gear and that morphs into broad criticisms of cyclists. I find it curious since statistically on your trip to work today, how many riders did you see? 50? 100? Doubdtful but possible. Now, how many cars? Minimum 20,000 Maybe many more depending on your neck-o-the-woods.

I ask, which group was more problematic? I just want a little perspective is all. I intend no personal attack

The Canadian Olympic Cycling Team trains in Calgary, though the Velodrome predates them being there. It isn't fancy, but it does the trick, and is open to anyone to ride on, so long as you bring a track bike. A normal road bike is bound to strike the outside pedal on the banking at low speed. Learning to ride a bike with no brakes, no gears and a near vertical rake was quite the experience. I can't say I was ever terribly competitive, but it was fun.

There is, I think, a bit of a link between cycling gear and bad behaviour, though it is by no means a perfect link. It exists in the motorcycling world as well too; LizzieMaine made a point about those who take the kit to absolute extremes - not just the helmet, but the full Tour outfit, and wear it all the time. There are many hundreds of riders around where I live who do ride competitively and wear their racing gear while training. I am not referring to them.

That being said, there are, and though few in number, a small number in the city who take joy in running personal time trials through crowded streets. Easily the most visible of these reckless riders are a few that run together in a peloton, expensive roadies and spandex. They are dangerous - wrong way on one ways, through red lights, etc. and by their distinctiveness cast a pall on those that ride responsibly. They take the visual elements of the most professional of riders and cause it to be correlated to negligent riding.

As I said though, there is a similar phenomenon in other areas of enthusiasm. For instance, some sportbike riders will wear what is expectional protection on the street - a one-piece leather racing suit with integral armour. Very often though, those wearing the 'racing gear' on the road are the ones who most need it as they speed, drag their knees around corners and pull wheelies and stoppies. In cars, probably the best analogous example would be those that have roll cages, hood pins and other race kit and then practice 'drifting' on public roads.

I take no personal attack in your question. The answer, interestingly enough today was the pedestrians. I saw two rather close calls today, both caused by pedestrians wandering against the lights into traffic. Where I live, though, there is an extensive pathway system to facilitate bicycle commuting off the main roadways. Bicycles and cars actually get along quite well in the core for the most part. It is a city of a million people, though, and I see many jerks on all sorts of conveyances. Though vague, I hope that answers your question.

Incidentally, I saw perhaps 500 or so cars on my commute today, and perhaps 80 cyclists. I have a 15 minute commute though by motorcycle, 25-35 minutes by bicycle.

 

[mtechthang]

Huh?

It's odd that in this day and age much of the TDF is ridden sans helmet.

Depends on how you define, "In this day and age". The rules at the time that picture was taken were that helmets were to be worn except during the last 5K of a mountain top finish (because you would be going slower). But as the picture showed you still fall pretty hard. The fact is that now, you must wear a helmet at all times in a sanctioned bicycle race (and in various locales as well!).

Indy, I'd get a helmet. At least check the rules/law because they probably refer directly to one of the licensing groups (or more than one). Having been in more than one bicycle accident that cracked a helmet, I agree with the sentiment that it isn't worth a broken skull or cerebral hemorrhage to look more stylish. :eusa_doh: Yes the passed ones are plastic and a bit ugly but so's the stitching and shaved head after a brain injury!! (I teach neuropsychology and various neuroscience courses. Largely neuropsychology specializes in helping people recover or return to a "most normal" life after brain injury/damage- professionally speaking, at least encourage your children to wear a real, though ugly, helmet!).

 

[mtechthang]

Yeah! What he said- because we love ya!!

In my opinion, you have two options:

Option #1: Wear a modern, approved helmet when you ride your bike. (I have a couple of helmets including the matte black Bell helmet mentioned above. I like that one quite a lot.)

Option #2: Wear a modern, approved helmet while you play with your coloring books for the rest of your life after the crash.

Very concise and wisely put (been there, done that). True story- I would add that while working at a bicycle shop we gave helmets with purchase of a bicycle. One woman refused saying she wanted to be healthy. She didn't want that "piece of crap perched on my noggin'". First day out she had the panniers loaded with groceries. She pulled up to stop at a red-light and put her foot out to the curb. She missed. Fell over. Her head didn't miss the same curb. Her children miss her. Wear a helmet!! [huh]

 

[KittyT]

Amen, LizzieMaine. I've always said "Same road, same rules" works both ways. Many, many cyclists seem to have a double standard about signaling and proper use of the lanes - you can't be a road-going vehicle when it suits you and a pedestrian when it suits you.

This is so true. As someone who drives a car and has also been a daily bicycle commuter, I see a lot of cyclists who are contemptuous of drivers who don't follow traffic rules, but who themselves don't bother to follow the rules either.

 

[KittyT]

Actually, bicycles are considered the same as a motor vehicle by the law. Just try running a few red lights with a cop present and see what happens to you. You will get a ticket and it will reflect on your car insurance rates as well.

Um, sorry Mister, but this is just not true, anywhere in New England. It is the culture here.

Cops can technically ticket for jaywalking too, and while they do it aggressively in Seattle, you will never, ever in a million years see it happen in New England.

 

[John in Covina]

There are some differences between vehicles and motor vehicles. But a lot of the same rules apply out here.

 

[Copper]

Here, bicycles are bound by the same rules as motor vehicles when on roadways; a conviction for a traffic offence on a bicycle however will not go against your driver's license.

Outside the core, enforcement against bikes is minimal though. I only ever ticketed one bicyclist, who was going 72km/h (~45 MPH) through a 30 km/h (~20MPH) playground zone and weaved through some kids in a crosswalk.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Um, sorry Mister, but this is just not true, anywhere in New England. It is the culture here.

Cops can technically ticket for jaywalking too, and while they do it aggressively in Seattle, you will never, ever in a million years see it happen in New England.

I saw the ultimate example of this downtown this morning. Here in Rockland we have "mounted cops" on bikes -- and one of them was riding down Main Street (a one-way street) the wrong way. On the sidewalk, even. Nice example for the kiddies there, officer.

 

[Indy Magnoli]

She pulled up to stop at a red-light and put her foot out to the curb. She missed. Fell over. Her head didn't miss the same curb. Her children miss her. Wear a helmet!! [huh]

I know I'm in the VAST minority here on this issue, but the example you just stated above has almost nothing at all to do with bicycles and riding. She fell over. Ladders can be just as dangerous, but I don't wear a helmet going up one.

As for the rest, I see the point everyone is making but I simply have a different philosophy. If we are meant to die, or become a vegetable, etc, it can happen even with a bicycle helmet on. The thing that bugs me is not those who want to wear helmets, but laws forcing us to do so.

In the least, I'm glad I've spawned such a discussion... enjoy and carry on! :eusa_clap

Kind regards,
Indy

 

[Alon]

Indy Magnoli, what about a combination of fashion and safety? Find a plain black/gray helmet of the Yakkay variety, then buy vintage motorcycle goggles from the early 20th century and wear them over the helmet?

As a matter of fact, I just got my first bicycle (I've ridden a lot, but always on borrowed bicycles) and was thinking about the same thing. I much prefer the look of a tweed cap to a modern bicycle helmet, but safety is an issue for me and the above seems like the ideal solution.

 

[Fletch]

BMW racer, mid 1920s

No, the E probably doesn't stand for "Egghead."
What might have been the point of such a high topped helmet?

 

[scotrace]

To get the chicks? lol

 

[Brooksie]

You don't have to crack your helmet in two to get a head injury.

I am a big believer in wearing a bike helmet also not just a head covering but a real helmet. I have ridden a bicycle from Canada to California. During one of my training rides for that trip I had an accident, flew over my handle bars and landed on my head. I did have on my helmet (good thing), I ended up with whip lash and a very slight head injury. When I landed on my head it was on my occipital bone so basically my brain sloshed around against the inside of my head. The occipital bone area in your brain is what governs your eyesight and ever since then I have had bad side vision what happens is my brain is slow to register things that I see out of the corner of my eye and I will sometimes run into things (while walking down the street or the handle bars of my bike will hit things - it has been years since I have been on a bike and this is one of the reasons) because I just don't see them. At least I do not run into things at my house or my work, just unfamiliar places because I know where everything is (just like with the blind) in the familiar places. Sorry to go into so much detail but people need to know that it is not something to be taken lightly. After this accident my helmet was not cracked in two it was still all in one piece.

Brooksie

 

[John in Covina]

Helmets do help. People think about some type of head on collision mostly, but a helmet is really good at protecting your head from that long skid along the pavement where you head would be bouncing along on the asphalt getting scraped to all **** and inside your brain is getting bounced badly.

 

[mister7]

What the Maine laws actually say regarding bikes

Quote:
Originally Posted by mister7
Actually, bicycles are considered the same as a motor vehicle by the law. Just try running a few red lights with a cop present and see what happens to you. You will get a ticket and it will reflect on your car insurance rates as well.


"Um, sorry Mister, but this is just not true, anywhere in New England. It is the culture here. "


This is straight from your DOT. Better check with your car insurance company before you get too frisky on a bike. In fact, your state recently upgraded the penalties for DRUNK cycling. Don't take my word for it, ask a policeman next time you get a chance.



"What are the laws regarding bicycle safety in Maine?

The only roads from which bicycles are prohibited are Interstates 95, 195, 295, and 495 as well as the section of Route 1 between Brunswick and Bath (a distance of ten miles). Bicycles are regarded as a vehicle and are subject to all motor vehicle laws of the State of Maine. See the statutes regarding bikeways or bicycle riding for the complete text."

 

[scotrace]

I had a spill last weekend. There was a 2ft wide space between where the guardrail ended and the hedge began. I slowed way down (like 5mph) and the stupid spokes hung on a small branch from the hedge. Insta-stop. I was able to leap off sideways but it has played havoc with my back and hip all week.
The last one before that was two years ago when my tire went into a narrow crack between the curb and the road. Again, going slowly due to traffic, and over I went sideways and landed on my shoulder and helmet. In both cases it was a get up, dust off and go on riding. In the second case, it would have been a trip to the ER. I really hate being in the ER.

Getting back to the topic, most helmets do look weird. Any other good looking (and safe) solutions?

 

[Trotsky]

British Dispatch Rider's Helmet:

Or perhaps an Italian/Spanish Helmet:

Or maybe a French: (Also the same rough pattern as a British early pattern Tanker Helmet)

 

[Nick D]

There's a guy riding a penny farthing around the world, and he's using a pith helmet. It's a possibility, I suppose.