Helmet Crash data damage %
#73
Sure. Just, it's not ONE call. There are many. Some avoidable. Some not.
I am happy to avoid the avoidable.
A helmet turns a matter of WHEN in a matter of IF.
That's good enough for me.
BTW, in Italy there is no helmet/no helmet issue. Helmet is mandatory. You don't wear it, the gov takes your bike. It's that simple. So, political struggle over the topic is non existent. This means statistics are gathered for statistical (not political) purpose, and are therefore quite reliable.
About 30% of fatalities in bike accidents are due to head injury, and would have survived with no consequence had they worn a helmet.
I personally know 2 people who would be "normal" (vs. head trauma victims) had they worn a safety cycling helmet.
Both fell from a stationary bicicle (so, you can never tell).
I also find pretty amazing how otherwise sensible people can be fooled into believing the "Helmets protect you just till 14 mph" thing.
I am happy to avoid the avoidable.
A helmet turns a matter of WHEN in a matter of IF.
That's good enough for me.
BTW, in Italy there is no helmet/no helmet issue. Helmet is mandatory. You don't wear it, the gov takes your bike. It's that simple. So, political struggle over the topic is non existent. This means statistics are gathered for statistical (not political) purpose, and are therefore quite reliable.
About 30% of fatalities in bike accidents are due to head injury, and would have survived with no consequence had they worn a helmet.
I personally know 2 people who would be "normal" (vs. head trauma victims) had they worn a safety cycling helmet.
Both fell from a stationary bicicle (so, you can never tell).
I also find pretty amazing how otherwise sensible people can be fooled into believing the "Helmets protect you just till 14 mph" thing.
#76
I don't say that I don't believe it (which would be trying to pass an opinion as a fact), I quote research that demonstrates scientifically that it isn't true.
You may find interesting reading the MAIDS.
http://www.maids-study.eu/
or at least the conclusions.
Helmets are studied to protect the head from the impact of a FALL, and that's the same at any speed.
If you crash into something, that's another thing entirely.
I only care about the facts, which is not wearing a more expensive helmet, but rather training, experience, and avoidance.
Safety has two components: prevention and damage control.
A helmet is damage control. I'd rather not need it, and I'm totally, absolutely with you in saying that safety is not reducing your wounds when you crash, safety is NOT to crash.
But, I have enough personal experience to know it's not all in my hands. You can do everything right, and end up kissing the tarmac anyway, just because somebody else was so dork that nobody could prevent him from doing harm to somebody and, by blind bad luck, that somebody is you.
So, just in case, I also try to minimize possible damage. Within reasonable limits.
It doesn't add much, but my grandpa used to say (roughly translated from milanese dialect) that a dime is better than a kick in the ****.
What "reasonable" means, that should be up to one's choice.
Some won't be happy without full leather gear and protections, other are happy with a pair of goggles.
Transportation riding is just that. It's not race track. cafe racers were designed for the race track, but look so racy that people want them for traffic, and then race. Full face helmets are right for the race track, not commuting. I hope this ignorant shift to full face helmets doesn't become law before I get to old to ride. I also hope the whole country doesn't fall for the tired old (and very untrue) story of all these brain dead people. Riding a motorcycle is a more dangerous life choice than some choices, but not as dangerous as some other choices. As those Fla stats show, helmets are not going to save us. Some people want more gear. Fine. Please don't make the rest of us do it.
Freakin' psychos!
But it's not just a matter of racing. You are moving forward, facing forward. It's unavoidable that most of the impacts involve the forward area of the head. Add to this that, should you fall sideways, your instinct makes you turn your head to look where you are falling, and you get a pretty high chance of hitting the gorund in the stated area of the helmet.
Statistical findings corroborate theory: about one third of head impacts are in the face/jaw area.
Anyway on very hot climate, I go for half helmet myself. Can't stand the heat in a full face.
Last edited by 99octane; 10-15-2009 at 01:00 PM.
#77
I don't want to see any of those people happy with goggles, unless they at least have shorts also.
#78
Funny how we all look at this from different points of view.Been riding since 62 and always felt safer without a skid lid.Especially over the years knowing how many bikers have been disabled and a few even died because of a helmet.Funnier still why these statistics never get published.Must be the people or Co's gathering the info(statistics) have something they are trying to sell.
#79
Obvious is right. The one stat I have never seen with any accuracy is how many riders who crash while wearing lids, and survive, have much of life after they heal. At what speed do they actually protect not only your life, but your quality of life. Living as a veg in bed isn't my thing. At 70 mph will a helmet really make a diff? At 55? At 45?...etc.
Now before anyone jumps on me about being the "safety taking away your right to choose police", I'm not. I'm just sharing what I know. There are a million stories in the naked city and yours may be different.
By the way, I own a full face, a 3/4 and a half-helmet. I wear the half helmet most of the time.
#80
How many riders do you know of who were disabled or died because of a helmet.
(Free hint... in all the years of NASCAR, all the crashes, there has been ONE driver who was disabled or died because of his helmet)
Take all the time you need.
Funnier still why these statistics never get published. Must be the people or Co's gathering the info(statistics) have something they are trying to sell.
Last edited by MidnitEvil; 10-16-2009 at 09:29 AM.