What killed that cyclist was not want of a helmet, it was dangerous riding. Bicycle helmets are not designed to protect your melon if you collide with a van and are thrown. A motorcycle helmet MIGHT have made a difference--but no one is advocating that. That said, it is cheap insurance/assurance, however flimsy, to wear a helmet (and I often do). What will save my bacon, though, is riding in a predictable, visible manner and obeying traffic laws. I've practiced that for over a quarter century of riding a bike in traffic without an incident.
That link, while a horrible story that made me shudder, is not a pro-helmet argument since from the way the crash was described the cyclist would have been killed even with a helmet. It is a pro-obey traffic rules argument.
Well, yes to both of you: hence the "and obeying traffic laws" part of the intro. to the link. I agree that what's far more likely to keep cyclists alive are simple prudence and alertness.
If you're here, you are probably at least curious about cycling; if so, I hope you'll feel that you're in the right place.
This is less a blog about reviews of equipment and practical advice on cycling than it is about my reflections on how cycling can make our city a little better for everyone, even non-cyclists. For bike-tech matters, I encourage you to visit the many fine folks linked to below in the right gutter.
I encourage all of you, but especially Wichitans, to write me with stories about your cycling experiences; with your permission, I'd like to post excerpts from them. Write me at "blogmeridian AT sbcglobal DOT net."
3 comments:
What killed that cyclist was not want of a helmet, it was dangerous riding.
Bicycle helmets are not designed to protect your melon if you collide with a van and are thrown. A motorcycle helmet MIGHT have made a difference--but no one is advocating that. That said, it is cheap insurance/assurance, however flimsy, to wear a helmet (and I often do). What will save my bacon, though, is riding in a predictable, visible manner and obeying traffic laws.
I've practiced that for over a quarter century of riding a bike in traffic without an incident.
That link, while a horrible story that made me shudder, is not a pro-helmet argument since from the way the crash was described the cyclist would have been killed even with a helmet. It is a pro-obey traffic rules argument.
IOW, I completely agree with the commenter above.
Well, yes to both of you: hence the "and obeying traffic laws" part of the intro. to the link. I agree that what's far more likely to keep cyclists alive are simple prudence and alertness.
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