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From: AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Helmet efficacy test
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2025 08:46:05 -0500
Organization: Yellow Jersey, Ltd.
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On 3/25/2025 5:11 AM, John B. wrote:
> On 25 Mar 2025 08:02:38 GMT, Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> wrote:
> 
>> Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>> On 3/24/2025 6:02 PM, Mark J cleary wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I like to wear helmet for extra protection against a fall. I do agree
>>>> that for me even running with a helmet would be good since I have no
>>>> balance to run anymore. However, Frank is I think in the minority about
>>>> helmets...
>>>
>>> Nope, that's not true. In the current echo chamber of avid sport
>>> cyclists I am a minority. But very I'm comfortable with not following
>>> most of the group's trends. I don't use clipless pedals, I don't use
>>> brifters or disk brakes, I don't ride in jerseys that advertise my
>>> favorite products or my favorite racing team, I don't use aerodynamic
>>> sunglasses, etc.
>>>
>>> But in the total population of world cyclists, it's the helmet wearers
>>> who are a definite minority.
>>>
>>>> ... and while he may have data to support it sometimes we humans
>>>> overlook data. I rely sometimes only on intuition and what I think might
>>>> be good.
>>>
>>> That's a common human trait. It leads to lots of bad decisions, but it's
>>> common. It's usually wiser to pay attention to good data, when it's
>>> available.
>>>
>>>> I really don't understand the length's Frank goes to dis
>>>> helmets but maybe I am simply taking it more than it is.
>>>
>>> If you check, you'll see I never initiate helmet debates. But when
>>> someone else - um, like you, Mark! - starts stating or implying that
>>> helmets have great benefit, and/or states or implies that bicycling is a
>>> serious risk for brain injury, I do point out that those notions are false.
>>>
>>> Bicycling has never been a major source of serious traumatic brain
>>> injury (TBI). On a nationwide basis, bicycling's contribution to TBI
>>> counts is low enough to be off most "causes" charts. Bicycling causes
>>> fewer then 1% of U.S. TBI deaths, far fewer than pedestrian travel, and
>>> far fewer on a "per mile" basis. And historic data over the years shows
>>> quite clearly that bicycle helmets are not preventing either fatalities
>>> or concussions.
>>>
>>> Data on request - but it's been posted or linked countless times.
>>>
>>>
>> Helmets for cycle safety are distraction to use one of UK bike
>> personalities/transport experts aka Chris Boardman.
>>
>> With cycling the danger and risk is almost entirely introduced by
>> motorists, which should be the focus.
>>
>> Helmet “debates” as ever seem to go nowhere as folks have such intrenched
>> positions.
>>
>> Roger Merriman
> 
> I've told this story before but once again.
> 
> When I was working around oil well drilling rigs the word came down
> from the Drilling Company -  "When you come back from break be sure
> you are wearing a "Hard Hat"(i.e. helmet) or don't bother to come
> back". And you know? Everybody came back with a hard hat and there was
> never a mention,  good, bad or indifferent, whether people wanted to
> were a helmet, or not, or any of the other  arguments I hear in
> bicycle circles.
> 
> 

Useful or not, insurance carriers have more power over that 
than governments ought to wield.

-- 
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971