Comments on: Why Take The Chance?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:02:48 +0000

EML: I think that perceiving cycling as dangerous is a major deterrent to people who would otherwise cycle. Promoting the idea that a helmet is required to bike safely gives people the impression that it’s frightfully dangerous, even though walking is probably just as dangerous per mile. The more cyclists that join me on the road, the safer I am, so that’s one reason I make my choice.

(Incidentally, 90% of the people I see wearing helmets don’t have them on tightly enough to help in an accident anyway. For most people they seem to function as talismans.)

We all make risk assessments depending on our priorities. The tiny reduction in risk I might obtain from a helmet is not worth the costs to me. Your assessment will be different based on your perception of risk and your personal costs, which will be lower than mine if you don’t find helmets uncomfortable and don’t feel as strongly about encouraging bicycles as an alternative form of transportation.

By: Alan

Alan — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:30:14 +0000

“This image of a helmeted girl with face-trauma makes me sad. This billboard is near my house so I have to ride past her every day, and I’m getting really sick of seeing it.”

Remember the billboard with a huge scary picture of a glowing electric stove burner and the caption. “Stoves are no place for children.”?

Have you stopped putting children on red-hot stove burners? I know I have.

A century from now, if people are still allowed to write, they will write about this time that we live in as the Era of Cowardice. I won’t go down the driveway on my motorcycle without the helmet, but putzing around at jog speed on my 30-year-old bike? If I am ever mandated to wear a helmet for that, I -want- to die.

PS I anticipate a bitter response from the coward community. Bless you all.

By: Jody

Jody — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:59:55 +0000

I started wearing a helmet to make my partner happy. It made him worry about me when I didn’t wear it to the point where he would not want me to ride at all without it. I don’t want him to worry so I wear it. In the beginning I felt like a big dork because I just never had worn a helmet on a bike. Now I’ve gotten so used to it that I feel kind of naked without it. It’s the same way I feel if I’m not wearing a seat belt in a car or a life jacket in a canoe.

By: EML

EML — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:37:46 +0000

In jurisdictions that recognize comparative negligence the failure of a cyclist to wear a helmet can operate as a defense to liability.

Also, I hate to say it Sarah, but cycling is dangerous. So is driving a car. I ride about 6000 miles a year and drive about 4000, and I always wear a helmet and always buckle my seatbelt. Neither is as comfortable as taking a nap on the couch, but I’m not willing to risk head trauma to make a pretty obscure point.

By: brucew

brucew — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:58:05 +0000

On Wednesday,coming back from renewing my Driver’s License at the mobile DMV in Highland Park, I saw that billboard for the first time.

I thought, “Wearing a helmet prevents domestic violence?”

The helmet and the shiner just don’t go together, since the one won’t prevent the other. Unless it keeps you from getting a loser boyfriend.

I have a growing collection of busted helmets. After getting hit by that car in April, I’m now up to three. Despite my taste for the freakin’ expensive models, they’re far cheaper than metal plates in the head.

And so far, no loser boyfriends either!

I’d like some clarification on the “wishing well” for Dr. Berk. If it’s for sending well wishes, fine. But a guy who pulls in an income well into the six-figures, and has free medical care, doesn’t need charity.

By: Richard DeSarra

Richard DeSarra — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:15:47 +0000

Adam,
I was told by a URMC staff (friend) that Dr. Berk was going down hill at a high rate of speed when he lost control.
I have experienced something similar when a front tire exploded (I was riding tubular tires) as I was descending. Somehow I rolled up a grassy incline to a stop but the heart keep racing on for minutes.

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:32:58 +0000

I always wear a helmet, mainly because I view my head / brain as one of my most valuable assets that I’d rather not compromise if someone hits me. It hasn’t happened yet. I agree that helemts don’t make you safer, they just reduce the severity of injury if you do get hit or hit the tarmac. I’ve cracked helmets and seen stars and would hate to think what would have happend if I wasn’t waering one. Anyhow, I think there was a good article in the D&C a few days ago about the rider that was hit by a car after running a stop sign while wearing headphones. I don’t think he was wearing a helmet either, but that was the least of his offences. The article stressed that you shouldn’t run stop signs (at least not blindly) or wear headphones while biking.
Sarah, I’d recomend going to a good bike shop and getting fitted with a helmet at the least, if that’s the only reason you don’t wear one. I’m not saying you have to wear one, but I can assure you that some helmets can be very comfortable if you have them properly fit.

By: Rottenchester

Rottenchester — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:45:34 +0000

I’m a helmet-wearing fool, but I agree that prevention is far more important than a helmet, and that it might lead to a false sense of safety. For example, I see people riding with a helmet on and listening to an iPod, which, IMO, kills your situational awareness, since ears are almost as important as eyes when you’re riding.

I’d add “wear something bright and reflective” to Adam’s list.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:10:09 +0000

I don’t wear a helmet for a number of reasons (largest being that if I wear them tightly enough to be effective they’re very uncomfortable for me, but almost tied with that is my objection to encouraging people to view cycling as dangerous). Anyway, amusing anecdote from last week- a woman yelled “Wear a helmet!” at me from her car (this happens pretty regularly) and almost immediately made a mid-block right turn directly in front of me, forcing me into a sudden stop. Clearly she was very concerned for my safety. :)