Helmet - sharing my indecision!
Discussion
I feel I may need to apologise in advance for this thread as I am sure this has been previously discussed at length.
I am in a bit of a quandary over whether or not to wear a helmet whilst cycling. Let me explain:
I have recently been on a few trips in my campervan over to France and take a folding tern bike. I have increasingly been enjoying leisurely trips on the bike around local towns, beaches etc. This has all been at slow speed and often on well designated cycle routes. I have not worn a helmet and did not even think about donning one, there are lots of leisure cyclists there and almost nobody wears a helmet.
Back in the UK I have been inspired to try a bit of cycling. Hopefully this would be enjoyable as well as help with fitness.
I haven’t cycled in the UK for over a decade. I did think about getting an e-bike (even started a thread on PH asking about them) but have instead dug my old drop bar touring bike out of the garage. After a basic service and a new front derailleur it is back on the road.
I have been riding it for a few weeks now, all on local cycle paths with limited road time. I have been really enjoying it (the good weather helps) and am gradually finding the hills a bit easier to get up. I am wearing ‘normal’ clothes and no helmet. Going out on the bike with no real destination or time pressure and just wearing whatever you have on has brought back memories of riding my ‘racer’ when I was a young teenager, it is fun.
It has not escaped my attention that almost every other cyclist I see in the UK is wearing a helmet. I therefore decided to dig out my old helmet to try (before spending on a new one if required).
Straightaway I felt the helmet changed how I felt about going for a ride, it no longer seemed so carefree. Wearing it seems to make the riding more ‘grown up’ and it no longer brings back memories of youthful days on the bike. I am therefore considering whether I want to wear a helmet.
I will add that I am well aware of the dangers of head injuries and how easy it is to come off a bike. When I was about 11 years old I had a bag become caught in the front wheel of my ‘racer’ whilst going downhill as fast as I could. Result was a written off bike and I had concussion and lost a lot of skin off my face, so a bit of hospital time.
I am therefore in a bit of a quandary about a helmet. Without one I am enjoying the leisure rides more, but know that it makes sense to wear one. I have no doubt through that part of the reason I am still thinking about this is the observed differences between the helmet wearing UK cyclists and the non helmet wearing EUropeans.
Interested to hear what others think, I fully expect most people will say that it makes sense to wear a helmet but does anyone else feel the helmet changes how riding feels? As I write this I am wondering if wearing proper cycling clothes is another step away from how we used to cycle as children/teenagers.
I am in a bit of a quandary over whether or not to wear a helmet whilst cycling. Let me explain:
I have recently been on a few trips in my campervan over to France and take a folding tern bike. I have increasingly been enjoying leisurely trips on the bike around local towns, beaches etc. This has all been at slow speed and often on well designated cycle routes. I have not worn a helmet and did not even think about donning one, there are lots of leisure cyclists there and almost nobody wears a helmet.
Back in the UK I have been inspired to try a bit of cycling. Hopefully this would be enjoyable as well as help with fitness.
I haven’t cycled in the UK for over a decade. I did think about getting an e-bike (even started a thread on PH asking about them) but have instead dug my old drop bar touring bike out of the garage. After a basic service and a new front derailleur it is back on the road.
I have been riding it for a few weeks now, all on local cycle paths with limited road time. I have been really enjoying it (the good weather helps) and am gradually finding the hills a bit easier to get up. I am wearing ‘normal’ clothes and no helmet. Going out on the bike with no real destination or time pressure and just wearing whatever you have on has brought back memories of riding my ‘racer’ when I was a young teenager, it is fun.
It has not escaped my attention that almost every other cyclist I see in the UK is wearing a helmet. I therefore decided to dig out my old helmet to try (before spending on a new one if required).
Straightaway I felt the helmet changed how I felt about going for a ride, it no longer seemed so carefree. Wearing it seems to make the riding more ‘grown up’ and it no longer brings back memories of youthful days on the bike. I am therefore considering whether I want to wear a helmet.
I will add that I am well aware of the dangers of head injuries and how easy it is to come off a bike. When I was about 11 years old I had a bag become caught in the front wheel of my ‘racer’ whilst going downhill as fast as I could. Result was a written off bike and I had concussion and lost a lot of skin off my face, so a bit of hospital time.
I am therefore in a bit of a quandary about a helmet. Without one I am enjoying the leisure rides more, but know that it makes sense to wear one. I have no doubt through that part of the reason I am still thinking about this is the observed differences between the helmet wearing UK cyclists and the non helmet wearing EUropeans.
Interested to hear what others think, I fully expect most people will say that it makes sense to wear a helmet but does anyone else feel the helmet changes how riding feels? As I write this I am wondering if wearing proper cycling clothes is another step away from how we used to cycle as children/teenagers.
You're overthinking it.
A decent helmet - you don't even know it is there. The roads are much more busy than in your care free days. Unquantifiable risk but helmet might make the difference between something scary and unpleasant and eating through a straw for the rest of your life. Your call.
Cycling culture is different between UK and Europe. Bikes are used as transport as well as recreation/exercise. You see in the type of bikes used with step over frames, baskets etc.
Get out and ride. Helmet or not it will be better for you.
A decent helmet - you don't even know it is there. The roads are much more busy than in your care free days. Unquantifiable risk but helmet might make the difference between something scary and unpleasant and eating through a straw for the rest of your life. Your call.
Cycling culture is different between UK and Europe. Bikes are used as transport as well as recreation/exercise. You see in the type of bikes used with step over frames, baskets etc.
Get out and ride. Helmet or not it will be better for you.
Edited by oddman on Monday 18th August 10:46
Do what you like, consider the risks/rewards and make your own decision.
On a fast road ride where I might be doing 30+mph downhill? Yes, I wear one.
On a busy London commute through heavy traffic? Yes, I wear one.
On a mountain bike ride where I might hit a branch or fall off? Yes, I wear one.
Day in the bikepark? Yes, I wear a full-face and body armour.
Cruise along the quiet seafront path on a nice evening? Unlikely.
Nipping down the road to the shops? Unlikely.
On holiday in the Netherlands, riding 10km on dedicated cycle lanes to a nice cafe? Ha, nope.
We make the decision to not wear helmets when walking and running because we don't consider the risk to be worth mitigating. But plenty of people get head injuries from trips and falls on foot that could arguably be prevented. Everything involves some level of risk, and that risk doesn't go away just because you've put a mitigation in place.
On a fast road ride where I might be doing 30+mph downhill? Yes, I wear one.
On a busy London commute through heavy traffic? Yes, I wear one.
On a mountain bike ride where I might hit a branch or fall off? Yes, I wear one.
Day in the bikepark? Yes, I wear a full-face and body armour.
Cruise along the quiet seafront path on a nice evening? Unlikely.
Nipping down the road to the shops? Unlikely.
On holiday in the Netherlands, riding 10km on dedicated cycle lanes to a nice cafe? Ha, nope.
We make the decision to not wear helmets when walking and running because we don't consider the risk to be worth mitigating. But plenty of people get head injuries from trips and falls on foot that could arguably be prevented. Everything involves some level of risk, and that risk doesn't go away just because you've put a mitigation in place.
If you don't enjoy cycling with a helmet, then don't wear one. You are aware of the extra risk involved, and have to be comfortable with it or you wouldn't even be considering it.
I ride for leisure (road bike, 30-40 mile rides across the moors etc) and always wear a helmet, but if i ride the 3 miles in to town for something I rarely wear a lid – i use a dedicated bike path so minimal traffic interaction, and once in town I have nowhere to put a helmet and it is a pain to carry around. That's my choice, and other people will have different views depending on where they live, how much traffic there is, what the roads are like, bike path access etc.
I ride for leisure (road bike, 30-40 mile rides across the moors etc) and always wear a helmet, but if i ride the 3 miles in to town for something I rarely wear a lid – i use a dedicated bike path so minimal traffic interaction, and once in town I have nowhere to put a helmet and it is a pain to carry around. That's my choice, and other people will have different views depending on where they live, how much traffic there is, what the roads are like, bike path access etc.
interstellar said:
Just wear a helmet, it really shouldn’t be an option.
This, it should be a fine for not wearing a helmet. They weigh next to nothing, relatively cheap and one day could stop you ending up dead or worse a vegetable. Imagine how your family would feel.
I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only ride slowly and carefully and I’m never going to have a crash as it will probably be someone else’s crash that ends up hurting you.
MB140 said:
This, it should be a fine for not wearing a helmet. They weigh next to nothing, relatively cheap and one day could stop you ending up dead or worse a vegetable.
Imagine how your family would feel.
I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only ride slowly and carefully and I’m never going to have a crash as it will probably be someone else’s crash that ends up hurting you.
Do you wear one walking?Imagine how your family would feel.
I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only ride slowly and carefully and I’m never going to have a crash as it will probably be someone else’s crash that ends up hurting you.
I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only walk slowly and carefully...
MB140 said:
This, it should be a fine for not wearing a helmet.
But you have to offset the advantage gained by all those cyclists who wouldn't do it if they had to wear a helmet, against the very few that get a serious injury that would have been prevented had they been wearing a helmet. On balance, free choice is the correct approach imo.Just wear one.
My Dad (now 81 and still cycling since he was a boy) has refused to wear a helmet, despite gift vouchers intended for one. He has been lucky so far.
Conversely, a mates Dad died in a cycle accident as he cycled into the back of a stationary lorry. No helmet..... and in all
My Dad (now 81 and still cycling since he was a boy) has refused to wear a helmet, despite gift vouchers intended for one. He has been lucky so far.
Conversely, a mates Dad died in a cycle accident as he cycled into the back of a stationary lorry. No helmet..... and in all
monthou said:
MB140 said:
This, it should be a fine for not wearing a helmet. They weigh next to nothing, relatively cheap and one day could stop you ending up dead or worse a vegetable.
Imagine how your family would feel.
I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only ride slowly and carefully and I’m never going to have a crash as it will probably be someone else’s crash that ends up hurting you.
Do you wear one walking?Imagine how your family would feel.
I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only ride slowly and carefully and I’m never going to have a crash as it will probably be someone else’s crash that ends up hurting you.
I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only walk slowly and carefully...
If you can’t see the difference between cycling and walking then carry on doing whatever you want.
Good day.
t in a crash that is going to kill you anyway. Good to reduce flesh wounds though 
Much like seatbelt use I feel weird not wearing one, but I get what you say about feeling freer though.
monthou said:
Do you wear one walking?
I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only walk slowly and carefully...
Do you walk at 15+ (possibly 30+) mph?I just don’t get it. It only takes the smallest of knocks, and you can bet that if it happens it wouldn’t have been your fault. So it’s no good saying I only walk slowly and carefully...
Getting older, even small accidents seem to hurt a lot more and have a longer recovery period, plus the inconvenience to you and those around you will probably be far greater than when you were a teenager.
A friend's recent Facebook photo of him and his helmet smashed up after coming off a bike (no one else involved) has made me grab the helmet when I go on the bike now. He had nasty cuts and bruises, however the helmet almost certainly prevented a brain injury being added to that.
Just the thought of sitting in A&E for hours and hours with the detritus of society is enough to make me take extra precautions to prevent accidents becoming injuries.
A friend's recent Facebook photo of him and his helmet smashed up after coming off a bike (no one else involved) has made me grab the helmet when I go on the bike now. He had nasty cuts and bruises, however the helmet almost certainly prevented a brain injury being added to that.
Just the thought of sitting in A&E for hours and hours with the detritus of society is enough to make me take extra precautions to prevent accidents becoming injuries.
I always wear a lid when I'm on my bike, but that is my choice. Opinions vary. The protection offered by a cycling helmet is not in the same league as that offered by a full face m/c helmet, but in my view it is still worth having for all that.
The thing I don't get is when you see cyclists riding about with a helmet dangling from the handlebars or their rucksack. It won't do much good there. Wear it, or don't - it's not a talisman to ward off evil road spirits;)
The thing I don't get is when you see cyclists riding about with a helmet dangling from the handlebars or their rucksack. It won't do much good there. Wear it, or don't - it's not a talisman to ward off evil road spirits;)
I think back to a guy in his 40s I found on the ground on the A494 whilst doing home visits as a GP.
He'd been knocked off his road bike at speed, and clinically had a haemothorax, fractured pelvis and T spine. His helmet was a mess too, he had a head injury as part of the fall.
He was airlifted to hospital and survived. There is zero doubt in my mind that he would have died without the helmet.
I also have involvement in brain injury rehab patients, who have long slow rehab before moving to generally supportive living. 20% are cyclists who were not wearing helmets.
I always wear a helmet on my bike.
He'd been knocked off his road bike at speed, and clinically had a haemothorax, fractured pelvis and T spine. His helmet was a mess too, he had a head injury as part of the fall.
He was airlifted to hospital and survived. There is zero doubt in my mind that he would have died without the helmet.
I also have involvement in brain injury rehab patients, who have long slow rehab before moving to generally supportive living. 20% are cyclists who were not wearing helmets.
I always wear a helmet on my bike.
A helmet has literally saved my life twice. Maybe 3 or 4 times.
The right helmet is more comfortable than a casquette or Pantani style bandana and featherweight.
Try a few helmets on and see what fits, get a MIPS one or similar; it's not about cost (although the lighter the weight, the higher the price IME).
I might nip to the shops without a helmet, but anything more than that and I'd rather be without clothes that without a helmet.
Should be a legal requirement IMO.
The right helmet is more comfortable than a casquette or Pantani style bandana and featherweight.
Try a few helmets on and see what fits, get a MIPS one or similar; it's not about cost (although the lighter the weight, the higher the price IME).
I might nip to the shops without a helmet, but anything more than that and I'd rather be without clothes that without a helmet.
Should be a legal requirement IMO.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff