Wear that helmet!
Discussion
Daveyraveygravey said:
Most cycle paths are badly surfaced, narrow, have frequent give way bits where you have to stop for vehicles to turn across you, covered in glass/litter/dog s
te, have dimwitted pedestrians meandering around, dog walkers who can't control the lead never mind the dog...
That was the answer I would have given.te, have dimwitted pedestrians meandering around, dog walkers who can't control the lead never mind the dog...They are normally built as if they were a pavement, with all the giving way to side roads that entails - invariably have people parked on them and really aren't suitable to use at any speed.
Normally they are s
te. There are some exceptions, but those are unusual in my experience.I'll use them occasionally on an MTB ride but never on a road ride. Even the little cut-through sections for cyclists on road narrowing are borderline unuseable and chocked with crap.
On the subject of lights, I was staggered by the amount of serious hard core cyclists I rode to the start of RideLondon with before sunrise who didn't have lights a few weeks ago. I know of course the weight of the lights would complete screw your chances of making a pb on the day, but come on people, if it matters to you that much, you need help. There was a godawful thunderstorm too as we made out way along the A11/12.
Edited by Gaz. on Wednesday 10th September 14:56
Gizmoish said:
Watchman said:
Gaspode said:
Genuine question. What's the problem with cycle paths?
Depends on the type of cyclist. Faster-paced cyclists will inevitably find other people (cyclists and pedestrians) hold them up. They are happier on the roads where their pace isn't limited and where regulation encourages people to act in a predictable manner. There's also a perception that the cycle path surfaces are poor and owing to the lack of motorised traffic, broken glass isn't swept away by that traffic, leaving the cyclist at risk.I'm a slower cyclist, so cycle paths suit me. I have invested in Conti-Gator-Hardshells though, for the reasons explained. They're not confidence inspiring tyres but as I said, I'm slow (av=12mph) so their benefits outweigh their problems.
My current 14 mile evening "loop" consists of about 30% cycle paths which are useful and "good enough". There are others in my area that are very poorly surfaced but I've mapped my loop to avoid those.
I'm ambivalent to people wearing or not wearing helmets, unless it's my immediate family, in which case they're not getting on a bike without one! I've had two major offs where I've hit my head on landing. One without a helmet saw me unconscious for 3 hours, in hospital for 3 days and off work for a month. One with a helmet gave me concussion and knackered the helmet, but I could've been back on the bike the following day were it not for the knackered ribs! 
Riding after dark without lights, however, is utterly tttish and shouldn't be tolerated by anyone! I've experienced countless instances of pillocks dressed all in black without lights almost getting wiped out on my commute. The closest I've ever come to killing another person on the road was a tt all in black with no lights riding his fixie across a roundabout that I was coming onto. As he wasn't in the beam of my lights, I didn't see him until I'd started to accelerate onto the roundabout, and only just stopped in time with an emergency stop. Ironically, it was the white cables of his headphones that I saw first!! 
If I had my way, anyone caught cycling without lights would have their bike immediately and irrevocably confiscated.
Riding after dark without lights, however, is utterly t
ttish and shouldn't be tolerated by anyone! I've experienced countless instances of pillocks dressed all in black without lights almost getting wiped out on my commute. The closest I've ever come to killing another person on the road was a tt all in black with no lights riding his fixie across a roundabout that I was coming onto. As he wasn't in the beam of my lights, I didn't see him until I'd started to accelerate onto the roundabout, and only just stopped in time with an emergency stop. Ironically, it was the white cables of his headphones that I saw first!! If I had my way, anyone caught cycling without lights would have their bike immediately and irrevocably confiscated.
Totally agree with the above. There was a kid I used to overtake regularly on my evening loop over the winter who wore all black and rode a black BMX. The first time I encountered him, on my bike, I nearly took him out. Just came out of nowhere. And I had my PAIR of Chinese Magicshines on full blast too. I was visible from space with those and my hi-vis polo shirt. He wasn't visible 20 feet away.
Personally I choose to wear a helmet whenever I ride, been cycling long enough now to have seen what can and does happen - especially off road. However, I'd never insist on others wearing one, thats their choice but I would in many cases think they were mad not to.
As for the 2nd poster in this thread - you may not agree with the original sentiment but my god you have some anger issues, at least as a keyboard warrior! Would you genuinely say what you've said, in that tone to the OPs face?
As for the 2nd poster in this thread - you may not agree with the original sentiment but my god you have some anger issues, at least as a keyboard warrior! Would you genuinely say what you've said, in that tone to the OPs face?
Edited by Zippee on Wednesday 10th September 12:50
Zippee said:
As for the 2nd poster in this thread - you may not agree with the original sentiment but my god you have some anger issues, at least as a keyboard warrior! Would you genuinely say what you've said, in that tone to the OPs face?
I rather hope he's no longer around to be able to answer you.Edited by Zippee on Wednesday 10th September 12:50
mouseymousey said:
Zippee said:
As for the 2nd poster in this thread - you may not agree with the original sentiment but my god you have some anger issues, at least as a keyboard warrior! Would you genuinely say what you've said, in that tone to the OPs face?
I rather hope he's no longer around to be able to answer you.Edited by Zippee on Wednesday 10th September 12:50
Let me guess, paranoid c**kbag piped up with one of his trademark sweary rants where he tries to come across all "edgy" but actually just looks like a pathetic angsty teenager. He makes me cringe every time he posts.
I've argued with this moron in the past - apparently suggesting it might be a good idea to use lights and visible clothing if you're going to ride NSL dual carriageways at night makes me "anti-cyclist" and a "poor driver".
Helmets... Should be personal choice but their use should be encouraged. I choose to always wear one in case I have some silly prat-fall, they look daft but not as daft as ending up with an easily preventable brain injury.
I've argued with this moron in the past - apparently suggesting it might be a good idea to use lights and visible clothing if you're going to ride NSL dual carriageways at night makes me "anti-cyclist" and a "poor driver".
Helmets... Should be personal choice but their use should be encouraged. I choose to always wear one in case I have some silly prat-fall, they look daft but not as daft as ending up with an easily preventable brain injury.
I'm going to say it - what is so bad about wearing a helmet?! Would it be the end of the world if it was made compulsory? Does anyone still say "in some car crashes it is safer to not wear a seat belt" or "in some accidents motor cyclists are better off not wearing a helmet?" I don't like wearing a helmet and maybe in one accident in a thousand it may be better to not have a bit of polystyrene round the top of your head but to claim it is an issue of personal freedom is just bks. There, I've said that too.
ks. There, I've said that too.mdavids said:
Helmets... Should be personal choice but their use should be encouraged. I choose to always wear one in case I have some silly prat-fall, they look daft but not as daft as ending up with an easily preventable brain injury.
I agree with your sentiment, and I'm not having a go at you but anyone who can say that helmets look daft whilst wearing gaudy skin-tight lycra and shoes that you can't walk properly in has surely got to ask themselves a question or two 
My view is that wearing helmets has got to be a personal choice, but that people who don't are probably doing the human gene pool a favour.
Daveyraveygravey said:
I'm going to say it - what is so bad about wearing a helmet?! Would it be the end of the world if it was made compulsory? Does anyone still say "in some car crashes it is safer to not wear a seat belt" or "in some accidents motor cyclists are better off not wearing a helmet?" I don't like wearing a helmet and maybe in one accident in a thousand it may be better to not have a bit of polystyrene round the top of your head but to claim it is an issue of personal freedom is just bks. There, I've said that too.
The point is that if you make helmets compulsory, cycling levels fall. Because casual and occasional cyclists will simply do something else rather than spend £50 on a lid. And it reinforces the false perception that cycling is dangerous, when in fact the danger comes from other road users (punctures, diesel and gravel excepted). And it means that people would be criminalized for failing to do something, when the scientific facts are not conclusive (and will never be) that the thing is helpful. ks. There, I've said that too.I know it's daft. But it's true. Encourage them by all means. I always wear mine. But you can't make it compulsory.
Justin Cyder said:
I'd rather look daft in a helmet than daft in intensive care with a colostomy bag & a catheter up my chap. Pretty much swings the deal for me.
Personally I just like the fact that if I come off and slide down the road I won't have to pick gravel out of my head, road rash is bad enough on the body let alone my head. Also, if it were feasible I'd wear a full face helmet when on a bike. Having to pick the shattered remains of my front teeth up from a concrete step once in my life was more than enough and I'm acutely aware of the repercussions of having no face protection when hurtling downhill.However like almost every other poster, if you don't want to wear one it's your choice.
Gizmoish said:
The point is that if you make helmets compulsory, cycling levels fall. Because casual and occasional cyclists will simply do something else rather than spend £50 on a lid. And it reinforces the false perception that cycling is dangerous, when in fact the danger comes from other road users (punctures, diesel and gravel excepted). And it means that people would be criminalized for failing to do something, when the scientific facts are not conclusive (and will never be) that the thing is helpful.
I know it's daft. But it's true. Encourage them by all means. I always wear mine. But you can't make it compulsory.
Plus it would destroy at a stroke the concept of 'Boris bikes'. I don't know if they are available anywhere else than London, it's the only big city I've been to for years, but being able to jump on a Boris bike for a quick trip rather than pay >4 quid for the stinking hell that is the underground is brilliant, but having to carry a helmet around just in case would be a complete PITA. People just wouldn't do it.I know it's daft. But it's true. Encourage them by all means. I always wear mine. But you can't make it compulsory.
I never have and never will wear a helmet.
I fail to see why the subject of helmet wearing has to be discussed at all. People like me choose not to - I understand every argument a pro-wearer will make but I understand those arguments already. I just choose to do what I feel comfortable with. Why people cannot accept that is beyond me.
Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing.
I fail to see why the subject of helmet wearing has to be discussed at all. People like me choose not to - I understand every argument a pro-wearer will make but I understand those arguments already. I just choose to do what I feel comfortable with. Why people cannot accept that is beyond me.
Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing.
Daveyraveygravey said:
I'm going to say it - what is so bad about wearing a helmet?! Would it be the end of the world if it was made compulsory? Does anyone still say "in some car crashes it is safer to not wear a seat belt" or "in some accidents motor cyclists are better off not wearing a helmet?" I don't like wearing a helmet and maybe in one accident in a thousand it may be better to not have a bit of polystyrene round the top of your head but to claim it is an issue of personal freedom is just bks. There, I've said that too.
What's so bad about reducing speed limits and sticking up speed cameras everywhere? There are plenty of people in this country who think that's the answer to road safety. Speed Kills after all...ks. There, I've said that too.
Gaspode said:
Plus it would destroy at a stroke the concept of 'Boris bikes'. I don't know if they are available anywhere else than London,
Yup, they're available up here in Liverpool now too. I'm well on the outskirts but I've seen a few around here so there's at least some use. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news...It's easy to take bikes on the local trains & Merseyrail also have their own bike hire scheme in some locations.
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