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Post by Justin Thyme on Oct 31, 2011 9:18:14 GMT -5
I ran across this MeFi article on the pros and cons of helmet use on a bicycle. I've got to say that I was surprised by the lack of evidence to support the need for wearing a helmet. I have only glanced through this so far but I thought I'd put it here for others to comment. Personally, I'll continue to wear my helmet, I don't see a down side yet, but I don't think I'll be pressuring my adult friends to wear a helmet like I have in the past. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2011 13:27:44 GMT -5
One downside to not wearing a helmet is that you catch a lot of flack from people who don't mind their own business.  |
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Post by Tsavodiner on Oct 31, 2011 16:58:00 GMT -5
The black dog, a Cocker Spaniel if my addled memory serves, lazily veered out to synchronize speeds with me. No warning, the no-bark leg-biters are always the worst, marshaling all their energy for the pursuit. I began to give ground, avoiding the sudden maneuvering that characterizes most two-wheel crashes, checking my foreground for oncoming, evaluating my escape chances based on grade, traffic, and road surface.
What I failed to take into full account as my attention narrowed to my erstwhile attacker was the gentle right turn of the roadway, as I continued my tactic across the centerline, toward the opposing shoulder, and --KADDDIINNGG-- into the all-black (thanks for the visibility) mailbox minding it's own business at the curb.
When I awoke the Spaniel was licking my face in what can only be described as an act of doggie contrition, and the wail of oncoming sirens heralded my first of many trips to the emergency room for treatment of the broken right arm, strangely enough caused by the ensuing fall, not by the impact with the U.S. Postal Service.
The Doctor, in his best stentorian drawl, intoned: "Good thing you were wearing that helmet", examining my mashed brain bucket, "or your piano lessons would be all over that mailbox".
I wound up paying for that box, by the way.
Gear Up; wear a helmet!
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Post by Warkitty on Oct 31, 2011 17:24:34 GMT -5
All I can say is, my one wreck year before last that ended in a mild concussion? I'd not like to think how much less mild it would have been.
(not the wreck that ended in a broken wrist though, I didnt' hit my head that time)
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Post by professorx on Oct 31, 2011 21:28:35 GMT -5
I ran across this MeFi article on the pros and cons of helmet use on a bicycle. I've got to say that I was surprised by the lack of evidence to support the need for wearing a helmet. I have only glanced through this so far but I thought I'd put it here for others to comment. Personally, I'll continue to wear my helmet, I don't see a down side yet, but I don't think I'll be pressuring my adult friends to wear a helmet like I have in the past. Speak with any ER workers. They'll tell you all about bikers, skate boarders, etc., that come in with injuries sustained while not wearing a helmet. I think the downside to a bicycle helmet is that they are generally made to take one strike. So if a person falls off their bike hits their head, and then their head takes another impact (curb, etc), then they are in big trouble. Almost all bike crashes on pavement are horrific. Torn shirts, torn shorts, tons of abrasions, lots of blood. Think about this the next time you ride. "I am going 30 miles per hour on 10 pounds of aluminum with a helmet made out of the same thing that beer coolers are made out of. If I hit a rock or acorn I am a dead man." :-) Although I have been in bike races this past year (I suck FYI), I never train on the road. I train on a mountain bike and save the risk for the actual race. |
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Bob
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Bird Geek
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Post by Bob on Oct 31, 2011 22:16:28 GMT -5
If you don't wear a helmet you are a fool.
I crashed a motorcycle in 1985, my DOT approved, bell helmet was broken in half. My brain was not damaged.
I crashed a wheelchair during a race on missionary ridge, broke my helmet, was not hurt.
Go to a meeting of the brain injury support group and meet the people before you say helmets are bad.
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Bob
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Post by Bob on Oct 31, 2011 22:25:20 GMT -5
One downside to not wearing a helmet is that you catch a lot of flack from people who don't mind their own business. I wouldn't do that, but I would distance myself from you. Don't want to be seen associating with someone "like that" |
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JC
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Post by JC on Oct 31, 2011 23:23:54 GMT -5
I crashed a motorcycle going about 70mph in '05 and did not have any brain damage.
Had a friend get hit by a truck in '95 off of Bonny Oaks and he survived without any major damage.
Had another friend that was killed on a bicycle on Bonny Oaks (in front of Walts) around 96' that was not wearing a helmet.
Touching on what Bob said, I too have seen a lot of people saved by wearing helmets in rehabs and support groups over the past 6 years.
Don't be an idiot for a moment of comfort... or you might just end up an idiot permanently when you're not able to wipe your own ass anymore...
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Post by Tsavodiner on Nov 1, 2011 0:45:57 GMT -5
...people actually WIPE that THEMSELVES?  |
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