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Maybe we shouldn't wear helmets.....


HeezaGeeza's picture

By HeezaGeeza - Posted on 14 January 2010

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-cultur...

What a stupid article. Fails to mention the fact that the reason there are less accidents with more bike users is specifically because there are more bike users and better acceptance with other traffic.

Any article that recommends not wearing a helmet, even just to ride the shops and back is frankly irresponsible. While were at it, anyone see this:

http://www.pedaltothemetal.com/index.php/news_st...

Man, I hate Facebook!

Flynny's picture

Just to stir the pot

While there has been decline in head injuries in cyclists after mandatory helmet laws were introduced this reduction is in line with those found in pedestrians so more likely due to better awareness and safety of cars.

Actually the only state in Australia where they did a comprehensive study into head injuries before and after helmet laws was WA. There they found that in the years after mandatory helmet laws came in to place there was a drastic drop in the total number of people cycling yet the total number of head injuries remained the same.

Most serious injuries suffered by cyclist occur due to being struck by cars, with something like 8 out of 10 being hit from behind. The most common excuse for the car driver is that they didn't see the cyclist.

To be honest I'd rather not get hit in the first place than depend on a tiny scrape of foam to protect my dome If helmets are so important in reducing the significance of a crash why aren't we mandating hi vis jackets and safety flags to help prevent the accident in the first place?

Chitts's picture

....8 out of 10 are from behind. Both times that I have been taken out was cars pulling out from side-streets or coming from the other direstin and turning in front of me. Interested to hear rom others. Rob, perhaps a poll is in order for "hit from side or behind"??

Nick R's picture

were caused by the rider being hit from behind by a car.

See bottom of page 8 at

http://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/public...

Flynny's picture

But we're talking injury not death... Either way the reason you get hit is usually because the driver fails to see you. therefore my point stands: a bright safety vest and flag would do as much or more to prevent the accident than the helmet does to lessen the severity of the injury

hawkeye's picture

I guess I must be unusual. Sticking out tongue

Little-Ditty's picture

The author of that article is an ill-informed idiot. Nuff said.

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