BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I think that the study in question (http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/pubs/top_profiles/2009/Transit_Profiles_Top%2050%20Agencies.pdf) is definitely worth reading through. For me the most telling section is in the review comments, where one critic writes the following:

"The authors of this Cochrane Review (Thompson, Rivara, Thompson, 2000) are well known as advocates for cycle helmet wearing, but we have a right to expect more care and scruples if they wish to persuade us that they are also dispassionate scientists. By reference to

?ve case-control studies from around the world comparing the degree of trauma from head injury following a road crash among cyclists wearing and not wearing a safety helmet, they have concluded that bicycle riders of all ages should be encouraged to wear helmets.

I also conducted a broad-ranging review of evidence on this subject (Hillman 1993). It concurred with the obvious judgement, con?rmedin hospital-based studies that, if cyclists fall off their bicycles, or are knocked off them in a collision with a motor vehicle, helmetedheads are very likely to be less seriously damaged. No one is denying that.

2. What is at issue, however, is whether the wearing of a helmet in?uences cyclists’ behaviour, thereby affecting the likelihood of them being involved in such an incident in the ?rst place."

There are two basic claims here:

1. In the case of an individual accident, helmet use reduces the likelihood of injury.

2. A policy promoting/requiring helmet use will decrease injuries in the population as a whole.

1. seems to me to obviously true, and is the core finding of the above linked paper. The answer to 2. is the one that seems less clear and more up for debate. But the fact that this second question is debatable is in no way a reason for an individual to stop wearing a helmet.

In the end, the reason I wear a helmet is simple: when I ride a bike, there is a non-trivial chance that an event will occur in which a helmet will save me from serious injury (in fact, it has happened). I don't feel that way about driving or walking, although I'm pretty sure I do feel that way about skiing now, and I wonder why I ever skied without a helmet.

2. What is at issue, however, is whether the wearing of a helmet in?uences cyclists’ behaviour, thereby affecting the likelihood of them being involved in such an incident in the ?rst place.

Outside of any argument advocating for mandatory helmet laws, I feel this is a total load of crap. It is like saying people would drive safer if we pulled airbags, seatbelts, crumplezones, safety glass and everything else from automobiles. Anyone advocating for that? I see a lot of mid 80s cars rolling around without advanced safety features, and they don't seem to be driven any less dangerously than the Priuses rolling past. There are so many factors in play, it is next to impossible to abstract them all away and say helmets are or are not responsible for the stupid positions cyclists get themselves into.

Or go the other way: If you equipped every pedestrian downtown with a bike helmet, would they act more stupid? Would incidence of jaywalking increase because they are protected by the magic of the helmet? I am guessing those who were aware and avoided getting creamed in the past would continue to avoid getting creamed with the same level of awareness. Maybe I give people too much credit.

I feel taht particular commentator is bit clueless, too. He says if cyclists fall off their bicycles, or are knocked off them in a collision with a motor vehicle, helmetedheads are very likely to be less seriously damaged. No one is denying that.



...but I beleive that is exactly what a variety of people, such as Robinson, are claiming.

When I see unhelmeted riders on anything with two wheels on the road or someone not wearing a seatbelt in a car, I always think of the survival of the fittest. Sorry, I have seen too many head traumas at work and other serious injuries in unrestrained drivers. Common sense tells me that I need to protect my brain if I want to continue to use it. Sorry for sounding Matter of fact about it. Everyone is free to do their own thing though.

I never considered the point being made, but i agree with Dan.

I wonder if Lens Crafters was wearing a helmet.