bicycle helmets can reduce head injuries by image
zezo _
Answer
That's a seriously loaded question, and the answer depends on who you ask. Depending on who you ask, you'll get answers from 0% to 88% or so.
The problem is that bicycle helmets protect against minor things -- somebody throwing a beer can at you, slipping and falling, stuff like that. And they only help if the helmet actually hits something -- which is a relatively small percentage of accidents. And they make your head somewhat larger, which actually increases the chance of your head hitting something.
And of course if a car hits you at 60 mph, it doesn't matter how much your helmet helps -- you're still probably dead.
There have been many studies done on helmet effectiveness, and they tend to have an agenda behind them -- they either want to show that helmets are effective (usually to support a proposed requirement for wearing one) or that they're ineffective (usually to oppose a proposed requirement for wearing one.) And depending on how the study is done, you can find data that supports either point of view -- but usually the agenda of the study dictates how the study is done, and the other side of the coin is generally not discussed (or if it is, it's discussed only enough to dismiss it.)
In general, I'd say the `helmets aren't effective' studies are done with more scientific and statistic `rigor' than the `helmets are effective' ones, but in both cases the initial agenda colors the entire study.
All that said, I usually wear a helmet. But I also oppose any attempts at helmet laws, and I'm quite aware that *I* am generally the one responsible for keeping me safe -- not my helmet or gloves or anything else. It might help in a minor accident, but in a serious one, I'm likely to be seriously hurt, helmet or not.
Whenever anybody tells you about the effectiveness of bicycle helmets, consider their biases. I'm somewhat biased towards them not being terribly effective, but I'll acknowledge that voluntary helmet use probably helps more than it hurts in an accident.
But even with my bias, I've tried to be somewhat fair to both sides here. The wikipedia page below gives a relatively good breakdown of both sides. Also make sure you read the 1019.html link -- it explains why `a helmet saved my life!' anecdotes aren't as accurate as one might think.
That's a seriously loaded question, and the answer depends on who you ask. Depending on who you ask, you'll get answers from 0% to 88% or so.
The problem is that bicycle helmets protect against minor things -- somebody throwing a beer can at you, slipping and falling, stuff like that. And they only help if the helmet actually hits something -- which is a relatively small percentage of accidents. And they make your head somewhat larger, which actually increases the chance of your head hitting something.
And of course if a car hits you at 60 mph, it doesn't matter how much your helmet helps -- you're still probably dead.
There have been many studies done on helmet effectiveness, and they tend to have an agenda behind them -- they either want to show that helmets are effective (usually to support a proposed requirement for wearing one) or that they're ineffective (usually to oppose a proposed requirement for wearing one.) And depending on how the study is done, you can find data that supports either point of view -- but usually the agenda of the study dictates how the study is done, and the other side of the coin is generally not discussed (or if it is, it's discussed only enough to dismiss it.)
In general, I'd say the `helmets aren't effective' studies are done with more scientific and statistic `rigor' than the `helmets are effective' ones, but in both cases the initial agenda colors the entire study.
All that said, I usually wear a helmet. But I also oppose any attempts at helmet laws, and I'm quite aware that *I* am generally the one responsible for keeping me safe -- not my helmet or gloves or anything else. It might help in a minor accident, but in a serious one, I'm likely to be seriously hurt, helmet or not.
Whenever anybody tells you about the effectiveness of bicycle helmets, consider their biases. I'm somewhat biased towards them not being terribly effective, but I'll acknowledge that voluntary helmet use probably helps more than it hurts in an accident.
But even with my bias, I've tried to be somewhat fair to both sides here. The wikipedia page below gives a relatively good breakdown of both sides. Also make sure you read the 1019.html link -- it explains why `a helmet saved my life!' anecdotes aren't as accurate as one might think.
Is a bike helmet really safe?
Shaz
Recently I fell off my bike and landed on my face, giving me lots of painful facial grazes and cuts...wasn't too nice. I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time but someone told me that it wouldn't have made a difference because I landed on my face and that actually a helmet could have broken my neck or made the injury worse.
Does anyone know if this is true cos it's making me unsure as to whether I should wear a helmet next time I cycle or not?
Answer
In the UK the CTC [1] are against compulsory helmet use. They reason that it has demonstrably damaged the case for cycling in countries where such a law has been introduced.
However, I always wear a helmet. It is sometimes hot and uncomfortable, but I firmly believe that it provides good protection against brain damage. Richard Ballantine [2] was very much of the same opinion in his original Bicycle Book.
Many cycling accidents happen at low speed where the rider is pitched over the handlebars and the head is the first contact with the ground.
If a helmet works and saves a rider from injury, then no government statistic or hospital records will be created. Instead there will be one more helmet purchase as a grateful rider buys a replacement! So any statistics on helmets making an injury worse or not preventing an injury will be substantially skewed by the silent majority of cases.
Now to your specific case: Yep, it must really hurt injuring your face like that. But your face absorbed the impact that your brain could have receieved had you landed slightly differently. The fact that a helmet sticks out about 1.5 inches might have reduced the impact to your face. If a helmet were worn incorrectly (such as tilted right back; something I frequently see) then it might damage your neck. However, worn correctly and with the straps done up, I fail to see how it could make the situation worse. Anyway, facial injuries may be unpleasant and require plastic surgery, but they are a lot more recoverable than brain injuries.
So, on balance, I'd suggest you wear a helmet and ignore the alarmist view that caused you to post your question.
In the UK the CTC [1] are against compulsory helmet use. They reason that it has demonstrably damaged the case for cycling in countries where such a law has been introduced.
However, I always wear a helmet. It is sometimes hot and uncomfortable, but I firmly believe that it provides good protection against brain damage. Richard Ballantine [2] was very much of the same opinion in his original Bicycle Book.
Many cycling accidents happen at low speed where the rider is pitched over the handlebars and the head is the first contact with the ground.
If a helmet works and saves a rider from injury, then no government statistic or hospital records will be created. Instead there will be one more helmet purchase as a grateful rider buys a replacement! So any statistics on helmets making an injury worse or not preventing an injury will be substantially skewed by the silent majority of cases.
Now to your specific case: Yep, it must really hurt injuring your face like that. But your face absorbed the impact that your brain could have receieved had you landed slightly differently. The fact that a helmet sticks out about 1.5 inches might have reduced the impact to your face. If a helmet were worn incorrectly (such as tilted right back; something I frequently see) then it might damage your neck. However, worn correctly and with the straps done up, I fail to see how it could make the situation worse. Anyway, facial injuries may be unpleasant and require plastic surgery, but they are a lot more recoverable than brain injuries.
So, on balance, I'd suggest you wear a helmet and ignore the alarmist view that caused you to post your question.
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