Comments on: Safety gear, but no helmets? http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/ Glossolalia, complaining and cycling. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:20:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Sleepnow in Dafar http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22501 Sleepnow in Dafar Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:16:55 +0000 http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22501 Helmets don't work? Sounds like someone has hit their head one too many times. Maybe if you had a helmet on you wouldn't think that. Helmets don’t work? Sounds like someone has hit their head one too many times. Maybe if you had a helmet on you wouldn’t think that.

]]> By: ron http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22355 ron Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:57:12 +0000 http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22355 the original confusion is over why someone would think about safety and not wear a helmet. unless you think helmets are dangerous, what's confusing about that confusion? helmets discourage biking? in america, it's cars and theft. the original confusion is over why someone would think about safety and not wear a helmet. unless you think helmets are dangerous, what’s confusing about that confusion?

helmets discourage biking? in america, it’s cars and theft.

]]> By: Johnny http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22354 Johnny Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:37:11 +0000 http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22354 I didn't want to take a position on helmets and start some argument, since there is overwhelming research in both directions that overwhelms me. :^) Who knows which study/studies to believe? The good ones have empirical evidence and science to back them up, but they can't all be right. What I don't hear a lot of is "I went through a windshield with my head sans helmet and survived intact." When we do hear stories of helmets [allegedly] saving people so often, I would think anti-helmet folks would publicize such stories of helmets not helping. I have only known of one person to survive a bad accident sans helmet, and he was in a coma for two weeks (hit by a dumptruck! yikes!). My friend has an in-law who has some brain damage because of a spill from a pothole. No helmet, and he cracked his head, never to be the same again, from what I hear. I've had enough head injuries. It's not like helmets are prohibitively expensive, heavy or uncomfortable. Even if a helmet won't save my life literally, it's worth having just in case. It's not a big sacrifice. Anyway, thanks for the links. I don't want to get into a pro-helmet preaching match:) I didn’t want to take a position on helmets and start some argument, since there is overwhelming research in both directions that overwhelms me. :^)

Who knows which study/studies to believe? The good ones have empirical evidence and science to back them up, but they can’t all be right.

What I don’t hear a lot of is “I went through a windshield with my head sans helmet and survived intact.” When we do hear stories of helmets [allegedly] saving people so often, I would think anti-helmet folks would publicize such stories of helmets not helping. I have only known of one person to survive a bad accident sans helmet, and he was in a coma for two weeks (hit by a dumptruck! yikes!). My friend has an in-law who has some brain damage because of a spill from a pothole. No helmet, and he cracked his head, never to be the same again, from what I hear.

I’ve had enough head injuries. It’s not like helmets are prohibitively expensive, heavy or uncomfortable. Even if a helmet won’t save my life literally, it’s worth having just in case. It’s not a big sacrifice.

Anyway, thanks for the links. I don’t want to get into a pro-helmet preaching match:)

]]> By: Richard Keatinge http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22350 Richard Keatinge Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:22:24 +0000 http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22350 I'm confused by your confusion. Helmets don't work and discourage cycling, see http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/332/7543/722-a, but lights may well increase safety, though I appreciate there's no direct evidence to that effect, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_lighting I’m confused by your confusion. Helmets don’t work and discourage cycling, see http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/332/7543/722-a,
but lights may well increase safety, though I appreciate there’s no direct evidence to that effect, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_lighting

]]> By: Matthew http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22268 Matthew Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:41:04 +0000 http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2008/03/safety-gear-but-no-helmets/#comment-22268 I share your confusion, Johnny. There's a guy in the architecture next door to our office in clipper mill - very nice guy who rides to work regularly - and he is always sans helmet. I can understand enjoying the feeling of being helmet-free, but when you're riding with traffic all around, it doesn't make sense. I share your confusion, Johnny. There’s a guy in the architecture next door to our office in clipper mill - very nice guy who rides to work regularly - and he is always sans helmet. I can understand enjoying the feeling of being helmet-free, but when you’re riding with traffic all around, it doesn’t make sense.

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