Ride safe, get a decent helmet.

Malt_Vinegar · 25 Jul 2015 at 21:33

Was out riding trails today with my brother and unfortunately saw a man die after a big accident.
*edited*
Ride sensibly and take safety seriously. I am sure most do, but a reminder will not hurt

Raptor · 25 Jul 2015 at 21:42

That's sad news.

I do think there needs a whole rethink on cycle helmets though, I have never had one that actually fits me correctly.

People have different shaped heads and tend to keep one that fits, an old or bad fitting helmet can be as bad as not wearing one!

Stay safe out there people!

Phil W · 25 Jul 2015 at 21:57

Funny, I was talking to a guy at work the other day who said he just replaced his helmet. Nothing wrong with it in terms of crash damage, but it was 17 years old :eek:

Zaphan58 · 26 Jul 2015 at 11:50

That is really sad news

Thanks for the reminder on safety, you know what I'll be honest I've never bothered to wear a helmet in all my years from mountain bike and BMX as a child / teen / young adult up until now. I'll have a browse and get one purchased.

Malt_Vinegar · 26 Jul 2015 at 12:25

Zaphan58 said:
That is really sad news Thanks for the reminder on safety, you know what I'll be honest I've never bothered to wear a helmet in all my years from mountain bike and BMX as a child / teen / young adult up until now. I'll have a browse and get one purchased.

Good man. I actually replaced my helmet the morning of this ride. I was using my very old helmet myself for the last few rides since I returned to riding. Very glad I did this when I did.

arknor · 26 Jul 2015 at 12:27

day helmuts are compulsory is the day I sell my bike

steve45 · 26 Jul 2015 at 12:37

Sad indeed!

Raptor said:
I do think there needs a whole rethink on cycle helmets though, I have never had one that actually fits me correctly.

why on earth would you buy a helmet that dosnt fit correctly? theres so many to choose from in al different shapes and sizes, it might take a while to find one that suits you, but it just seems madness that you would settle for something less than optimal fitting, especially on something so important.

geuben · 26 Jul 2015 at 12:41

Raptor said:
That's sad news.

I do think there needs a whole rethink on cycle helmets though, I have never had one that actually fits me correctly.

People have different shaped heads and tend to keep one that fits, an old or bad fitting helmet can be as bad as not wearing one!

Stay safe out there people!

I tried on every helmet in the shop when I bought mine, they are all a little different. The one I have now is the nicest to wear I've ever had, I don't really notice it anymore. Much more preferable than the one I have for snowboarding.

neil_g · 26 Jul 2015 at 13:06

As much as I agree about helmets, assuming you're talking about the poor guy at Swinley I think its pretty speculative about the helmet and/or the riders ability causing his death as he was riding alone.

grudas · 26 Jul 2015 at 13:10

Helmet doesn't mean that you won't die or get seriously injured if you crash! Car drivers are more likely to have head injuries in an accident than a cyclist does so why don't they wear a helmet? I don't get people who scream "if only he wore a helmet.." Yup, that truck would sure as hell have not been able to crush the cyclist if only he wore a helmet.

neil_g · 26 Jul 2015 at 13:10

arknor said:
day helmuts are compulsory is the day I sell my bike

Not wearing a helmet should be an automatic opt out of free healthcare for any head injury sustained IMO.

steve45 said:
Sad indeed!

why on earth would you buy a helmet that dosnt fit correctly? theres so many to choose from in al different shapes and sizes, it might take a while to find one that suits you, but it just seems madness that you would settle for something less than optimal fitting, especially on something so important.

Agreed. If you don't know how to fit your own its something you should go to your lbs to get fitted properly.

neil_g · 26 Jul 2015 at 13:12

grudas said:
Helmet doesn't mean that you won't die or get seriously injured if you crash! Car drivers are more likely to have head injuries in an accident than a cyclist does so why don't they wear a helmet? I don't get people who scream "if only he wore a helmet.." Yup, that truck would sure as hell have not been able to crush the cyclist if only he wore a helmet.

True, but it should reduce the chances of you having a life changing head injury. Personally I think its selfish to expect your family to have to pick up the pieces and care for you 24/7.

FrenchTart · 26 Jul 2015 at 13:27

I wear a helmet but I do agree that there are far too many situations where lack of helmet means the cyclist is blamed for death/injury when the helmet would have made no difference. I don't know the full story of the cyclist in the OP but I would've have thought equally important advice for them would be to not ride on a knackered bike on trails that they don't have the skill for.

Malt_Vinegar · 26 Jul 2015 at 13:52

neil_g said:
As much as I agree about helmets, assuming you're talking about the poor guy at Swinley I think its pretty speculative about the helmet and/or the riders ability causing his death as he was riding alone.

The bike was flung a long way from the rider and the marks on the floor which were being investigated by the police were pretty clear he was flying on a tough section. The sounds heard by the close behind following riders were consistent with a very high speed incident.

The best helmet in the world might not have saved this guy, but I still think the warning is valid. Get the best one you can afford.

I think perhaps my emotions were getting to me, when I wrote this about ability, but it seemed like such a waste of life and I was sort of angry about the situation. When I heard the police had to notify next of kin and was thinking about the knock on affects of this accident I was feeling pretty grim about it all.

mangobreeder · 26 Jul 2015 at 15:11

Malt_Vinegar said:
The bike was flung a long way from the rider and the marks on the floor which were being investigated by the police were pretty clear he was flying on a tough section. The sounds heard by the close behind following riders were consistent with a very high speed incident.

The best helmet in the world might not have saved this guy, but I still think the warning is valid. Get the best one you can afford.

I think perhaps my emotions were getting to me, when I wrote this about ability, but it seemed like such a waste of life and I was sort of angry about the situation. When I heard the police had to notify next of kin and was thinking about the knock on affects of this accident I was feeling pretty grim about it all.

was this the swinley incident yesterday?

Malt_Vinegar · 26 Jul 2015 at 15:32

mangobreeder said:
was this the swinley incident yesterday?

Yes

FrenchTart · 26 Jul 2015 at 15:33

Malt_Vinegar said:
The bike was flung a long way from the rider and the marks on the floor which were being investigated by the police were pretty clear he was flying on a tough section. The sounds heard by the close behind following riders were consistent with a very high speed incident.

The best helmet in the world might not have saved this guy, but I still think the warning is valid. Get the best one you can afford.

I think perhaps my emotions were getting to me, when I wrote this about ability, but it seemed like such a waste of life and I was sort of angry about the situation. When I heard the police had to notify next of kin and was thinking about the knock on affects of this accident I was feeling pretty grim about it all.

Understandable reaction and I completely agree that it's a tragic waste of life :/

arknor · 26 Jul 2015 at 20:37

Not wearing a helmet should be an automatic opt out of free healthcare for any head injury sustained IMO.

cool when that happens can I get a tax cut.

statistically your more likely to get a head injury walking down the street

MrKnifey · 26 Jul 2015 at 20:41

arknor said:
cool when that happens can I get a tax cut.

statistically your more likely to get a head injury walking down the street

Surely that cant be right? What are we talking odds wise here as ive had 3-4 massive crashes where if I wasn't wearing a helmet I wouldn't have gotten back up...

Or are you talking bicycles as a whole here as that cant be right for just MTB off road?

Phil W · 26 Jul 2015 at 21:09

Mate came off his bike today, helmet saved his head from bouncing off a rock.