Someone Ran me over..

joeyjojo said:
What research?

The rest of the article doesn't support the claim that helmets 'increase the risk of injury'. At worst he says cars drive 3" closer, but that doesn't necessarily translate to head injury.
Click to expand...

If they drive closer there's increased risk of collision, especially if the cycle has to swerve arounf a pothole, increased risk of collision means increased risk of injury.

Given that with the fact that cycle helmets are not designed to offer protection at speed, then the risk of head injury is obviously higher.
 
mattyfez said:
If they drive closer there's increased risk of collision, especially if the cycle has to swerve arounf a pothole, increased risk of collision means increased risk of injury.

Given that with the fact that cycle helmets are not designed to offer protection at speed, then the risk of head injury is obviously higher.
Click to expand...

Weren't you literally just saying we need statistics to make claims like these?

Edit: also, the highway code says to 'leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance'. The stopping distance at 20 mph is 40 feet. At 10 mph it's perhaps 15 feet. I suspect 3" in 15 feet (less than 2%) shouldn't make much of a difference.
 
Last edited:
dowie said:
Seriously? For failing to stop after potentially nearly killing someone?

It does seem ridiculous in general that motoring offences are dealt with so lightly.

I guess maybe when self driving cars become the norm then penalties for incidents caused by people who've opted to not use an self driving car can be ramped up as an incentive. You're free to drive manually but if something goes wrong and it is clearly your fault then we'll throw the book at you.
Click to expand...

It's often said (and seemingly true), that if you want to kill someone and get away with it, run them over with a car. Sentencing seems to be on the lighter end of the scale for offences resulting in death. Esp if there are two people in the car and each say the other was driving. The law seems to be that if the driver can't be proven, you can't be charged with anything!
 
itchy said:
Thread title should be...................

I got in the way of a motorist who pays tax and insurance and he hit me as I was not paying enough attention. :p
Click to expand...

It's a fact of life these days that most roads that see frequent vehicular traffic are just not safe for cyclists. And any road without a pavement is similarly unsafe for pedestrians.

This is true because of the sheer number of unsafe car drivers. Doesn't matter how aware you are as a cyclist (or ped), you take your life in your hands cycling or walking on any road which cars use.

For many, many years I have taken the approach that only unclassified roads and cycle tracks are "safe" on my pushbike. When I see cyclists on A-roads - and even dual-carriageways - I can't help but cringe. It's not worth the risk.
 
The highway code also says...

Rule 167
DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users

*stay behind if you are following a cyclist approaching a roundabout or junction, and you intend to turn left

*when you would force another road user to swerve or slow down
 
And Rule 163: Give vulnerable road users at least as much space as you would a car

the-highway-code-rule-163_zpsuyplrool.jpg
 
mattyfez said:
Because it's based on provable statistics, where as your opinion is emotional, and hence irrationally based on one freak accident. You need to take away your emotional influence, and look at the figures objectively. Risk compensation is real, people take more risks when they feel protected, and driver's pass closer, just these two factors increase your risk of being involved in an accident dramatically, and subsequently increased risk of injury.

Cycle helmets simply are not designed to protect against serious hard impact, look up the specs and standards.
Click to expand...

I really dont know what to say, im astounded. Are you quite young? Maybe its a youth thing to accept what you are told if its on the net? Good luck!
 
I'd say don't bring kids into this argument. I make my son wear a helmet because it's not about the cars it's about him making an accident with thin air.

I understand the logic of the arguments, and I choose to wear a helmet. What I've read is inconclusive and conjecture. I'd rather something than nothing, but I don't belittle those that choose the other direction.

Side note, my closest encounter with a car was actually whilst running, he gave me an inch at best and there was no other traffic.
 
Dis86 said:
Read the link that I posted before. Some analysis shows cyclists are at greater risk of injury when wearing helmets. There's also no agreed concensus that they prevent injury.
Click to expand...

There's been more extensive analysis of helmets in horse riding and there is a consensus that they greatly reduce the risk of head injury,
 
Energize said:
There's been more extensive analysis of helmets in horse riding and there is a consensus that they greatly reduce the risk of head injury,
Click to expand...

Helmets designed for horse riders are vastly different from helmets designed for cyclists. Next you'll be pointing out that the use of helmets by motorcyclists decrease the chance of injury.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
amigafan2003 said:
Helmets designed for horse riders are vastly different from helmets designed for cyclists. Next you'll be pointing out that the use of helmets by motorcyclists decrease the chance of injury.
Click to expand...

Don't be ridiculous, the style of helmet used in horse riding is becoming fairly common for cyclists to wear now, it's the type of helmet I use.
 
Energize said:
Don't be ridiculous, the style of helmet used in horse riding is becoming fairly common for cyclists to wear now, it's the type of helmet I use.
Click to expand...

I must admit, while cycling I'd be more inclined to wear the helmet I use for snowboarding.
 
amigafan2003 said:
I must admit, while cycling I'd be more inclined to wear the helmet I use for snowboarding.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't. Cuts out on my hearing too much :) Do get what you mean, though.
I wear a light ish road helmet for road riding. I'm not convinced it'll be as much of a life/face saver in an accident, but it's infinitely better than nothing imho.

Off road I wear a full face, even though it's warmer than an open faced lid... because I don't want to damage my beautiful visage when I slide down a hill face first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom