Gordon Ramsey…Ouch.

@BruceWee / @kilo no-one is saying they should be compulsory or that it’s anything other than personal choice. Also, no cyclist should be condemned if they’re in an accident, are injured and are not wearing a helmet. That’s a real slippery slope. FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one because it was too hot, but then the politeness of the car drivers when I was on a road did give me some, probably misplaced, reassurance.

The vehemence with which you reject them makes me wonder why when they seem such an obvious, easy, cheap choice for cycling on the road. The other examples, pedestrians etc. are stupid.

Would you make your child wear one, cycling on the road?

The other examples, pedestrians etc. are stupid

Why?

Head injuries happen to both car drivers and pedestrians at a similar rate to cyclists (depending on how you measure it).  Why is it stupid that they should wear helmets?

The vehemence with which you reject them makes me wonder why when they seem such an obvious, easy, cheap choice for cycling on the road

I believe I said if you want to wear one fine and if you don’t fine – hardly vehement. In fact I said;

Your life , your choice seems like quite a reasonable perspective on helmet use.

What is vehement is the constant carping on, “ I smashed my helmet,  so you’re being crazy not too wear one” “I’m sensible you’re not” repeat ad nauseam.

I don’t wear one on the road, unless racing, because for me, with my risk assessment, they aren’t required, in the same way I don’t wear a full face or spine protector on the mtb.

I think you’ll find not bothering with one is also far easier and cheaper 😉

Would you make your child wear one, cycling on the road?

I don’t have a child and am not questioning what other people impose on their kids . Mind you when I was a child no one wore them.

Would you make your child wear one, cycling on the road?

I don’t but my girlfriend does, mostly to avoid the horrified judgmental looks from other parents.

Personally I love seeing the kids riding to school (on the wrong side of the road) with their helmets perched at a jaunty angle on their heads, their bikes with canvas showing through on the tyres, questionable brakes, and notchy headsets.

For me, I think the most important thing is that a child has a bike that is safe and well maintained and understands how to ride safely.  I understand that the rest of society considers a helmet the beginning and the end of the conversation on children’s bicycle safety but I’m just going to have to disagree with the majority on this one.

Oh yippee!  One man’s experience turned into another anti/pro-cycling helmet wearing thread.  Just what we all need.

I understand that the rest of society considers a helmet the beginning and the end of the conversation on children’s bicycle safety

That really isn’t true: you’ve just made up that  ridiculous “fact”.

Personally I love seeing the kids riding to school (on the wrong side of the road) with their helmets perched at a jaunty angle on their heads, their bikes with canvas showing through on the tyres, questionable brakes, and notchy headsets.

You could do (And in fact, you may.), offer your capabilities to fix child’s bikes and help them with helmet fitting.  I was happily known at my children’s primary school as the ‘bike riding, bike fixing’ dad.

That really isn’t true: you’ve just made up that  ridiculous “fact”.

It is true that it’s an anecdote like much of the rest of the ‘information’ on this thread.

But if you really want to test the theory, buy your kid a clapped out borderline dangerous bike and go for a ride with a helmet.  Then do the same thing on their well-maintained bike but without a helmet.

Count the number of dirty looks/comments you get in both modes.

Interesting injury – mahoosive bruise and supposedly his helmet was in play. But no sign of any abrasions to hands, arms, face or body.

I noticed this. That bruise is quite square and looks a lot like it could be an impact from a typical large American pickup bumper. It’s about the right height too.How that would unfold into the rest of the injuries I don’t know. We may never know what happened.

You could do (And in fact, you may.), offer your capabilities to fix child’s bikes and help them with helmet fitting.  I was happily known at my children’s primary school as the ‘bike riding, bike fixing’ dad.

Not all heroes wear capes.

But they all seem to like to tell you about your shortcomings when compared to their awesomeness.

with their helmets perched at a jaunty angle on their heads

I see this a lot, and it highlights some of the misunderstandings (or rather, lack of informed awareness, I suppose) about helmet use as I understand this is actually more dangerous (in a crash where the head gets hit…) than not not wearing one at all, as it’s much more likely to catch on things or get knocked at a funny angle and twist the head, resulting in a nasty neck injury, than it is to protect the skull.

But they all seem to like to tell you about your shortcomings when compared to their awesomeness.

I don’t know you or any potential shortcomings.  Hence, why I used:

And in fact, you may.

Because, I don’t know…

Came here to wish sweary Ramsey well (cos we all know he’s reading).. crashed head first into another dull helmet wearing debate.

Make your own choices folks and anything else can.. in the words of an early poster ” **** off.”

Hope he heals well. I thought bruises that extensive might be the result of anticoagulation therapy! My crushed (not smashed) helmet hangs above my TV in the garage. Zwift is the only place I don’t wear a helmet, but I don’t preach. It served its purpose and you’d be hard pressed to spot the damage. That’s what helmets are supposed to do.

There’s no decent reason for not wearing a helmet if you are cycling, especially on road or for us, off road, and i think on here, it should be an easy sell for anyone who has any care for their wellbeing.

I make my own risk assessments and if I’m doing the sort of riding where if it goes wrong bruising like he’s got is likely whether on road or off then a helmet seems like a sensible precaution.  If I’m bimbling along the canal tow path for 1.5 miles  to the shop I’m not so sure.  In fact its one more thing to do, to store when I get to the shop at the other end, to put away when I get back…  so it might be simpler just to take the car like everyone else does.   IMHO a decent reason for not wearing a helmet, is that the inconvenience of wearing one means I probably won’t bother taking the bike.  I’d further argue that the normalisation of helmet wearing is a real issue with the uptake of bikes as methods of active travel, and by extreme extrapolation since there is “safety in numbers” potentially harms the wider cycling community!

FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one

Did you get a fine?

Children are more vulnerable to head injuries than adults. They are also much less risk averse. Therefore the risk/benefit for them to wear helmets is different.

It is also true that making helmets compulsory seems to put some people off activities, therefore it is overall detrimental to public health to do so.

I wear a helmet almost always when cycling, I would encourage others, especially children, to do the same. I refrain from judging others who don’t, especially when they’re just pootling along.

ransosFree Member
FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one
Did you get a fine?

I did not, and I passed a lot of cops!

Children are more vulnerable to head injuries than adults. They are also much less risk averse. Therefore the risk/benefit for them to wear helmets is different.

I’ve a vague memory of an article way back in the BMJ about the trade off in children of reduced head trauma but increased neck trauma from helmet-wearing. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Will a helmet save you from being crushed to death by a car/bus/truck ?.

bimbling along the canal tow path for 1.5 miles to the shop I’m not so sure. In fact its one more thing to do, to store when I get to the shop at the other end, to put away when I get back… so it might be simpler just to take the car like everyone else does. IMHO a decent reason for not wearing a helmet, is that the inconvenience of wearing one means I probably won’t bother taking the bike

Sorry, but I’m not buying that. There are loads of ways you can deal with a helmet while you are shopping:

Hang it over the handlebars

Attach it to the bike using the lock you are already using to secure the bike

Stick it in your panniers.

Keep wearing it.

Put it in the trolley

‘Wear’ it over your elbow etc etc.

Let’s face it, people who don’t ride bikes come up with dozens of (more  significant) reasons why cycling is ‘too inconvenient’ & how they have to use a car. By all means don’t wear a helmet if you don’t want to, but I’m afraid the idea that helmets are so incovenient that they put you off cycling is just bullshit. It’s just an excuse to not wear one. If you wanted to wear one, I’m sure you’d find a way without too much difficulty.

Gordon Ramsey IS a helmet

makes you think

(hope he’s ok really though, but struck with an otherwise symptomless malady that makes him mysteriously incapable of being filmed for the telly)

Count the number of dirty looks/comments you get in both modes.

In my exhaustive research into this topic, it’s 0 either way. People barely care about their own kids let alone other people’s…

Is this another perceived persecution?

Will a helmet save you from being crushed to death by a car/bus/truck ?

Of course not. But if that’s your level of reasoning then the argument you are making must be absolutely feeble.

If you have a real point to make, then please spell it out,

Surprised that he could find to fit his hair under.

Is this another perceived persecution?

I think the ‘pro-helmet brigade’ have gotten a wee bit triggered given that we seem to be drifting towards insults and petulance so I think I’ll leave you guys alone to worship your half inch polystyrene idol.

@prettygreenparrot AFAIK the trade off is the same across a lot of sports where it is advisable to wear a helmet, and across most, if not all, sections of the population.

Bottom line is it’s a complicated subject.

But suggesting that people should wear a helmet isn’t the same as saying that they must wear a helmet.

Why can’t the helmet debate be taken into its own thread. I’m genuinely interested to find out what happened to Gordon Ramsey, as that bruising is mighty impressive,  but not at all interested in yet another helmet debate.

Sorry, but I’m not buying that. There are loads of ways you can deal with a helmet while you are shopping:

there are – they all involve marginally more degree of inconvenience than not bothering for the very low risk of my 10 mph canal tow path bimble.  The all involve more inconvenience than my drive to the shops.

Let’s face it, people who don’t ride bikes come up with dozens of (more  significant) reasons why cycling is ‘too inconvenient’ & how they have to use a car. By all means don’t wear a helmet if you don’t want to, but I’m afraid the idea that helmets are so incovenient that they put you off cycling is just bullshit.

Its not bullshit, and failing to listen to the reasons why people feel cycling is not as convenient for those sort of trips as it should be is why active travel is not successful in this country.  It doesn’t really matter if its a real inconvenience, if I perceive it as an inconvenience then it is.    And by the way my daughter doesn’t ride her bike to school (along exactly the same route) because “it would not be cool”, that is also a perfectly legitimate reason.  The helmet, helmet storage and helmet expectation is probably part of what makes it not cool.  There’s another person we’ve lost from the potential cycle as travel tool.

It’s just an excuse to not wear one. If you wanted to wear one, I’m sure you’d find a way without too much difficulty.

I don’t need an “excuse” to not wear a helmet.   Of course if I wanted to wear a helmet I’d find a way.  My point is, that for some types of riding the actual benefit is so low that there is probably no point on finding a way – they difference to my life expectancy is probably better riding that journey without a helmet than taking the car.  If its raining it doesn’t actually keep me dry.  If its hot it gets too hot.  If its cold its got vents.  I don’t know anyone who’s fallen off on the canal and hurt their head – I know two people who have ended up in the canal… but nobody wears a lifejacket!

Count the number of dirty looks/comments you get in both modes.

In my exhaustive research into this topic, it’s 0 either way. People barely care about their own kids let alone other people’s…

I take it you never travel by Taxi? if you want to hear what a subsection of the public think – travel by taxi, you get a running commentary.  “Bloody cyclists”.  “Look at that not even wearing a helmet”.  “Its one thing not wearing a helmet yourself but imagine letting your kids go out without one on”.   If you are really lucky you can complete the bingo card with “look at the state of her – its no wonder obesity is an issue in this country nobody walks anywhere any more” and “when I was his age I used to get on my bike and go off into the countryside for the day but young people are just obsessed with their phones now”.   Now I’m not saying taxi drivers are a fair cross section of society but they are not unique.  If you go and collect kids from school gates there’s plenty of judging going on too.

I got quite vocally criticised to my face for collecting my children from a bike club without wearing a helmet myself – my route would not involve riding on roads to get home!   But they never once criticised the people who drove to pick the kids up!

It doesn’t really matter if its a real inconvenience, if I perceive it as an inconvenience then it is.

Sorry, but I rather think you are making my point for me. If you choose to perceive a helmet as an insurmountable inconvenience then that’s your lookout. The fact is you are adopting a position to suit yourself. If it’s not a real inconvenience then it’s not an inconvenience whatever your own personal truth appears to be.

I take it you never travel by Taxi? if you want to hear what a subsection of the public think – travel by taxi, you get a running commentary.

I think you and I live in very different parts of the country…

Yikes. Hope you’re feeling better

Thanks. A few years ago and mostly back to normal now – apart from typing this with a stick…

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Not really. Just neurological issues left, nothing significant physically 🙂

Of course Gordy should have worn a full body helmet and he might have avoided a Derek/Starfishesque magnificent bruise. 🙃

FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one
Did you get a fine?

We just did the Ruta Via de la Plata on the tandem, me mostly sans helmet as I’m a very sweaty Betty. No fines, no hard looks from the Fascista or owt. Aaaaand I didn’t spontaneously combust. Whoda thunk it…? I dint fall off to test the hypothesis tho…

I’d just like to say that I don’t GAF if you do or don’t wear a helmet. It’s a really **** boring argument though.

Now, flats or SPD’s??…

bobloFree Member
FWIW, I just cycled across Spain pretty much not bothering to wear one
Did you get a fine?
We just did the Ruta Via de la Plata on the tandem, me mostly sans helmet as I’m a very sweaty Betty. No fines, no hard looks from the Fascista or owt. Aaaaand I didn’t spontaneously combust. Whoda thunk it…? I dint fall off to test the hypothesis tho…

I did the Ruta Via de la Plata too! Fantastic route, much tougher on a tandem than an MTB I imagine.

I started in Faro then added on the Picos de Europa at the end, just for maximum suffering.

Would be interesting to know if those who don’t wear helmets (at times) would be ok with someone choosing not to help them if they had an off and hurt their head.

I’ve had people turn up for an MTB ride and I’ve told them to go away on their own because they chose not to wear a helmet, and I’m not going to come to their aid if their own choice resulted in an accident that needed my help

Would be interesting to know if those who don’t wear helmets (at times) would be ok with someone choosing not to help them if they had an off and hurt their head.

Follow that logic to it’s conclusion and people may choose to refuse to help you because you took an unnecessary risk by mountain biking in the first place?

Would be interesting to know if those who don’t wear helmets (at times) would be ok with someone choosing not to help them if they had an off and hurt their head.

Fine with me, you crack on as you see fit.

Wearing a helmet could potentially save else having to scrape your head/face off the tarmac, they’re not that much of a hindrance. My other half did ten years as an a & e nurse and she goes savage on people not wearing a helmet whilst cycling, she got fed up of patching people up where the helmet would have saved a lot of damage.

I don’t know the stats and ins and outs of it, if someone cares to explain the non helmet wearing thing I’m happy to listen

Jeez, I never meant this thread to be a debate about helmet wearing, sorry for mentioning it, wear a helmet or don’t wear a helmet I don’t really care.