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.

Is it the law to wear a helmet while biking?

Q. I live in Vancouver, BC. What are the laws about bike safety?

Answer
I wonder if they beat you over the head with batons if you refuse?
In the UK bicycle helmets are optional.

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What are balance bikes? Are they good for 3 1/2 year olds? Do they need training wheels?

KRISTIN

My daughter has outgrown her barbie, plastic tricycle from Walmart. I'm trying to find her a new bike-we like one at Walmart (Princess), but I just saw balance bikes at toysrus.com and was wondering what they are.

Are hand brakes better then foot brakes for her age?

Would a balance bike be better for a girl her age (3 1/2)?

Do balance bikes need training wheels?

Are there any bikes you personally loved for your kids that you could reccomend within my price range-I'm willing to spend $80 just on the bike because I also have to get a helmet, pads, and I promised her a horn and basket (if the bike doesn't come with one). She loves pink but theme isn't a big deal and other colors are fine if she doesn't mind. Its her bike so I'm trying to make her very happy with it-she loves the one at Walmart, but I'm trying to shop around and be smart about this. It has a foot brake, training wheels, and is adorable and perfect for her size (she's tall for a 3 year old). But any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much-this is my first time buying her a real bike and I'm afraid to pick the wrong one:(

Oh, is this the wrong category for this question?

Answer
Balance bikes have no pedals at all--they teach your child to build up speed with their legs and then lift them to balance. The thought behind them is to balance so that your children never learn to rely on training wheels at all.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/186-9456430-9274351?asin=B001AIONOU&AFID=Performics_Google%20Product%20Listing%20Ads&LNM=Primary&ref=tgt_adv_XASD0001

At 3 1/2, she is WAY too small for hand brakes--she does not have the coordination to understand how to use them and would end up crashing into things. She needs foot brakes if you get a bike with pedals. I don't think they even make bikes with hand brakes for her sized child.
http://www.target.com/Girls-Mongoose-Bubble-Sidewalk-Bike/dp/B002TQYWVG/ref=br_1_15?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=16259291&node=16259291&sr=1-15&searchRank=price&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Girls%20Mongoose%20Bubble%20Sidewalk%20Bike&qid=

EDIT: I missed the part where you said she's tall. The Mongoose bike is a 12 inch. The Toys R Us website has 16 inch bikes. I'd bring her to the store and have her sit on a 12 inch bike and a 16 inch bike and see which one fits her better. I'd be inclined to say that the 12 inch would work, but you don't want to get it home and have it only work for 6 mos. You want it to last a little while. You also want to have them assemble the bike for you-- assembling bikes is a huge pain in the butt--trust me...

How to get started with dirt biking?

Nick

I'm 15 years old and i was interested in this since i heard about it the first time (I was about 7 years old) but i never really learned anything about this sport so now i'm trying to look up some information about it. I live in Holland and never really rode a motorcycle before and i think its hard to ride a dirt bike too but i really like it and i'm interested so i want to know how to get started or what do i need for it.

Any information will help and thank you.

Answer
Welcome to the sport.

Your first decision will be 2-stroke or 4-stroke. 4-strokes are easier to learn on, go longer in between maintenance and there are a lot more new motorcycles to choose from. 2-strokes are racing engines. The produce more power and torque than a 4-stroke of the same size, are lighter and cheaper to rebuild, but there are only three manufacturers that make new ones. If you look for a new 2-stroke over 85cc's - Yamaha, Husqvarna and KTM.

Go down to the local dealerships and sit on a bunch of different makes and models to see what fits you best, then try to locate a used bike.

You can save thousands of dollars purchasing used. The money you save can be used to purchase riding gear, tools, oil, fuel, etc. You can purchase used bikes on Ebay, Craigslist, BikeFinds and CycleTrader. By you living outside the US, you may not have access to these used motorcycle sites, but I am sure that there must be some equivalent that you will have access too.

I recommend a used bike first for first timers because you are going to crash. So, purchasing a used bike that is scratched and faded won't really matter to you. You are only interested in if the bike runs and rides good.

I also recommend used gear to first timers also. You are just going to tear the stuff up anyway, so used stuff won't really matter. In the states we can go to yard sales, garage sales, flea markets, Ebay and Craigslist to locate used riding gear. The only item of gear you should not buy used is a helmet. Get a new SNELL approved helmet. There are things you can save money on and then there are things where you just have to pay and a helmet is one of them. HJC makes SNELL approved helmets that are reasonably priced.

Once you get a bike and gear, you then need a place to ride. If your parents own a lot of property, you can just ride there, if they do not, you will have to locate a place where you can ride. Check with the local motorcycle shops and your buddies at school that ride. They should be able to locate some riding areas for you.

Good luck, have fun and welcome to the sport.

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ANYONE TRIED IT YET ? LOL?

dLegend

...Yeahhh...Cycling with a waste-bin over yr head ?
http://belladotka.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Best-helmet-ever.jpg

HAHAHA.....LMAO

Answer
No-I have not.

Why was the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the European Union (EU) in 2012?

Ana

A. The EU solved the economic difficulties that its member nations were facing.
B. The EU stopped the social unrest and public protest against government cutbacks.
C. The EU joined with the Brics nations to direct world economic power to the European continent.
D. The EU struggled successfully for reconciliation, democracy, and human rights.

Genetic engineering involves _____.
A. cloning an organism that has characteristics identical to its âparentâ organism
B. creating new genes to replace dying cells in people suffering from degenerative diseases
C. modifying an organismâs natural characteristics through changes to its genetic material
D. growing live tissue on a scaffold that is flexible, fluid, and porous

. Which 2012 data give the best support for climate change?
A. Northeastern Brazil suffered drought.
B. Ethiopia experienced heavy rains.
C. Europe had less than normal snowfall.
D. Less sea ice covered the Arctic Ocean.

Which is an example of biotechnology?
A. injecting vaccine into the body to vaccinate against a communicable disease
B. using a robotic arm by means of an electrode implanted in the brain
C. building aquatic farms tended by robots on the surface of Mars
D. manufacturing cycling helmets that are durable and ultra light

What did the people of Tunisia in North Africa gain as a result of the âArab Springâ?
A. more job opportunities
B. economic prosperity
C. political freedom
D. better schools

Which is not a situation that leads to civil unrest?
A. high unemployment
B. city overcrowding
C. high crime rate
D. aging population

Why did angry Greek citizens storm into the streets in 2012 to protest?
A. Some European nations threatened to take over the government of Greece if it couldnât fix its economy.
B. Great Britain threatened to expel Greece from the Eurozone.
C. The Greek government agreed to a bailout plan that required deep public spending cuts.
D. The government of Greece agreed to a bailout plan that required it to nearly double the tax rate for most citizens. .

Which is an ethical issue that many people today are debating?
A. organ transplanting
B. space exploration
C. prosthetics manufacturing
D. genetic engineering

The âArab Springâ had its beginning in _____.
A. Iraq
B. Libya
C. Iran
D. Tunisia

Answer
How will you(!) learn anything if you post your homework on Y/A ?

Have you done any(!) effort to solve this on your own, or is it just pure lazyness ??? Btw., had you googled it, you'd have finished by now.

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Bike helmet instead of riding helmet.... will pick a B.A.?

jellybean

I ride western and don't ware a helmet. My 7 year old daughter wants to start learning how to ride, and of coarse must ware a helmet! I have not yet bought one for her, but I am going to. The horse that she'll start learning on is my soon to be 16 yro gelding, he is very well behaved and I trust him, but anything can happen and I want my girl to be safe just incase... So my questions are
#1. Could she ware her bike helmet for now, just untill I get her a proper helmet? Or is that a bad idea?

#2. How much do kids helmets cost? It wouldn't matter if it's english or western... It's just to protect her head, but she will be riding western too :)

Thanks in advance for the advice... And please no mean or rude or stupid answers!
*donald your an idiot! There are western styled riding helmets. There are even cowboy hat helmets, look it up you prick! And there is nothing "creepy" about the way I talk about my girl! " It's just to protect her head, but she will be riding western too" what I meant was that I don't care what type of style the helmet is, english or western... I don't really care how it looks cause I just want it to protect her head you moron! Then I stated that she'd be riding western, because then ppl would probably recommend western styled helmets!


*the christ puncher did you even read the question... Or do you like to randomly answer questions that you know nothing about and leave dumbass answers? She has JUST taken an interest in riding... Like yesterday! I am going to buy her a proper helmet as I CLEARLY stated, I just haven't had time to go buy one.... Do us all a favor, quit answering questions on y answers and go play in traffic ;)


I love my daughte

Answer
1. No. Most children's bike helmets are little more than styrofoam with a decorative plastic shell. They will protect your child's head from short falls at slow speeds, considering that children on bikes generally don't end up going, say, 30 miles per hour. A bicycle helmet will do little to protect your child's head in the event of a fall from a horse. Go get her an ASTM-SEI certified horseback riding helmet.

2. Depends on the helmet brand, some are cheap some are wicked expensive. Troxel tends to be on the cheaper side as far as pricing goes. Just make sure you get her an ASTM-SEI certified helmet, a brand new one, and whatever price you pay you will know it is adequate to protect your child's head.

Cyclist help - Road bike helmet?

Yahoo

Hi, I know I posted this question earlier but I did not receive any answers so I thought I would try re-wording it.

Has any one had experience with the Rudy Project Kontact helmet?

http://www.e-rudy.com/index_inner_detail.php?group_id=3&cat_id=18&item_id=HL385701

Will this helmet sit low on my head?

thanks everyone!
By the way, I know I should try this helmet on but there are no retailers in this area that carry this.
thanks for that quick response thought =)

Answer
Relative to other brands the Rudy Project Kontact has a fairly low profile, but rests high on the forehead.

However, how a given helmet will fit depends on the shape of your head. Each brand and model of the same brand has a slightly different shape, which rests slightly different on each person's head.

Given a choice it is better purchase a helmet you can try on even if it is not the precise model you would like most. More expensive models do not protect your head better, but often provide improved cooling by way of more aggressive venting. Giro, Bell, and other manufacturers which are more common also have very nice helmets and a similar price to the Rudy Kontact (e.g., Bell Sweep, Giro Atmos).

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Bicycle Helmet / Sunglasses problem?

rewald

I ride a road bike, and wear a Giro Eclipse helmet. I've tried several sunglasses, but the helmet seems to crunch my sunglasses down onto my nose. Anybody else experience this problem? Any ideas on a good solution? I wonder if a skateboard helmet would be better or worse?? I also wonder if any bicycle helmets come with a built-in sun shield, thus making sunglasses unnecessary. Thanks!!

Answer
The helmet may be "crunching" your sunglasses down on your nose because the lateral (around your head) adjustment is too loose. A general rule of thumb is to unfasten the chin strap and bend over. If the helmet falls off, the lateral adjustment should be tightened. I have also heard people complain that certain wraparound styles of sunglasses do not work with certain helmets. You may want to look at some cycling specific sunglasses (take your helmet with you when you go to purchase).

There are MTB helmets with visors, but they do not provide eye protection and probably won't give you the glare reduction your'e looking for. I've never seen a eye-shield type device on a cycling helmet and suspect that the aerodynamic effect might not be good.

In California, what is the penalty for getting a citation for not wearing a bicycle helmet when I'm 16?

Anonymous

today me and my friend pulled over by a cop because we weren't wearing our bike helmets, and he gave us both citations. he said that we would get a letter in the mail from the court telling us what we would do, and for us to show the ticket to our parents. what happens? what is the penalty? what is the court going to make me do?

Answer
To answer your question:
Youth Bicycle Helmets: Minors
California Vehicle Code 21212. (a) A person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard, nor shall they wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.
(b) Any helmet sold or offered for sale for use by operators and passengers of bicycles, nonmotorized scooters, skateboards, or in-line or roller skates shall be conspicuously labeled in accordance with the standard described in subdivision (a) which shall constitute the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable safety standards.

(c) No person shall sell, or offer for sale, for use by an operator or passenger of a bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or in-line or roller skates any safety helmet which is not of a type meeting requirements established by this section.

(d) Any charge under this subdivision shall be dismissed when the person charged alleges in court, under oath, that the charge against the person is the first charge against that person under this subdivision, unless it is otherwise established in court that the charge is not the first charge against the person.

(e) Except as provided in subdivision (d), a violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25).

The parent or legal guardian having control or custody of an unemancipated minor whose conduct violates this section shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed pursuant to this subdivision.

(f) Notwithstanding Section 1463 of the Penal Code or any other provision of law, the fines collected for a violation of this section shall be allocated as follows:

(1) Seventy-two and one-half percent of the amount collected shall be deposited in a special account of the county health department, to be used for bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, and in-line and roller skate safety education and for assisting low-income families in obtaining approved bicycle helmets for children under the age of 18 years, either on a loan or purchase basis. The county may contract for the implementation of this program, which, to the extent practicable, shall be operated in conjunction with the child passenger restraint program pursuant to Section 27360.

(2) Two and one-half percent of the amount collected shall be deposited in the county treasury to be used by the county to administer the program described in paragraph (1).

(3) If the violation occurred within a city, 25 percent of the amount collected shall be transferred to and deposited in the treasury of that city. If the violation occurred in an unincorporated area, this 25 percent shall be deposited and used pursuant to paragraph (1).

Added Ch. 1000, Stats. 1993. Effective January 1, 1994.
Amended Sec. 6, Ch. 674, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 475, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21212.htm

some further info...for future reference:

Bicycle deaths by helmet use, 1994-2005

No helmet Helmet Total*
Year Num % Num % Num
1994 776 97 19 2 796
1995 783 95 34 4 828
1996 731 96 27 4 761
1997 785 97 23 3 811
1998 741 98 16 2 757
1999 698 93 42 6 750
2000 622 90 50 7 689
2001 616 84 60 8 729
2002 589 89 54 8 663
2003 527 85 57 9 619
2004 602 83 87 12 722
2005 673 86 76 10 782

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Do you HAVE to wear a bike helmet in California ?

You_Just_M

Well I'm 14 years old is it illegal if I ride around without a helmet would I get stopped by the police ? What if Im riding with an adult ? Do I still have to wear a helmet if I ride on my own street or neighbor hood ? Thanks so much

Answer
YES, even on the sidewalk, at any age you MUST wear it, and so must the adult wear one. You would look pretty bad in a wheelchair suffering from brain injuries! You only have to hit your head on a kerb and you are history!

I want to buy a sports bike.?

ohni0000

A guy want to sell a soprts bike for 4000 dollars. Is this a good deal??
2006 KAWASAKI ZZR 600 Silver, Garage Kept, Clean. Custom exhaust, Hotbodies Windshield, Undertail, Tire Hugger, Seat cowl. Not ridden bike in 6 months has 10000 miles on it. also comes with helmet , jacket and bike stand and straps. please click on link below to tell me shoud i buy this bike, what do you think???

http://picasaweb.google.com/ohnu0000/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCOWs6dCQ7YjhyAE&pli=1&gsessionid=JjkYiyFeO7Hg-SzpkIHxSA#5358443281894701522
I Have no riding experience ever!!!

Answer
It looks like a good deal, all the custom parts are worth a couple of thousand. Accessories are a bonus too.

Go and see the bike in the flesh/metal. Look for evidence of the bike being dropped. Check service history, log books, amount of tread remaining on tyres (good tyres aren't cheap).

I'd also recommend buying a new helmet. Safety first. You don't know how the old helmet has been treated.

Perhaps consider buying a smaller bike if you have no experience. Then move your way up. Just an idea.

Hope this helps. Good luck and safe riding.

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Did you wear a bicycle helmet as a kid?

Summertime

I can not count the number of times as a kid I flew over my handle bars on my bike, and walked it home bloody knees and all...I have the scars to prove it.

I was not overly clumbsy, just a country girl that rode my bike most everywere.

I never wore a helmet or knee/elbow pads. But I see these kids now days that are wearing every protective gear short of being wrapped in bubble wrap and I wonder ...

will they have scar to show off when they grow up? isn't that just a part of childhood?

I understand the helmet for those that live in the city with ashphalt and speeding cars...but sometimes I think we overprotect our kids.

so..did you wear a helmet to ride you bike?
and do you make you kids wear one now?
I too do not think there were helmets when I was a kid, and I am not saying they are not needed, especially in the city...i was just curious as to who worn them and if their kids where them.

My 4 year old daughter has a couple of them for when she rides with Papa on the 4 wheeler (he drives really slow, but I still prefer her to wear it.)

Answer
Yes I wore a helmet. Scars are an inevitable part of childhood but massive hemorrhaging of the brain doesn't have to be. What, you think there are no trees or rocks out in the country you could whack your head on while flying over the handlebars?

Parents of kids/teens that ride bicycles: Helmets?

.

If you and your kids/teens ride bicycles, do you wear helmets? Do your kids/teens wear helmets? Do you not care if they wear a helmet or not?

Thanks! I'm 16, and I would wear a helmet no matter what, but my friends don't because they say it looks ugly, but a girl who was 15 recently died from just riding casually on her neighborhood street (no cars) fell down without a helmet on and died from internal bleeding.

Answer
I always wear a helmet and make my kids wear helmets. In my state kids under sixteen legally have to wear helmets or the parent can get cited. It may be unfashionable safety is more important.

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who makes a good bicycle helmet?

BassicBill

My head is kinda large so the helmet cannot be too small. Plus, I would like it to have a functional sun visor.

Answer
Specialized, Giro, Louis Garneau, pro-tec

Are universal-sized bicycle helmets not as comfortable as S/M/L helmets?

jamie68117

I'm going to buy a new bicycle helmet today, and there's one specific helmet I saw on the internet (the Giro Skyla) that I liked, but it's universal-fit, and I ride almost every day so I want it to be comfortable!

Obviously I'm gonna try the helmet on before I buy it, I'm just curious as to what you guys think about universal-fit helmets.

Answer
Go to a well-stocked local bike shop and try on all the helmets in your price range. Buy the one that fits and feels the most comfortable regardless of what the box or the labels say. My GF did that and ended up selecting the Giro Skyla. She says there was a huge difference from her older helmet.

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Yamaha R6 for starter bike?

messedup

Here is the thing. I'm a 15 year old kid and I'm thinking about getting a motorcycle when I am 16. I was thinking about a Yamaha R6. Now I know I'm going to get bashed by this. The thing is, I'm not so "rich" as other people. If I were to buy a Ninja 250r, I wouldn't have enough money to buy a r6 when I'm "ready" for it. I know the R6 can send you into an object in a matter of seconds and stuff like that. I'm planning to take a Motorcycle Safety Course before getting the bike. I heard 50/50 so far. Trust me, I'm not those immature teens looking for trouble. I know when to respect things. So my question is, if I respect the bike the way it need be, then can I perhaps start out on one?
So I'm guessing I should get a ninja...would the 650r work out? Or is it the same story as with the r6? I understand the problems with starting out on such a big bike. One more question for the sake of wondering, how would a r6 or cbr600rr work out with someone was afraid to use all the power on the bike and took it super slow?
P.S. As I am talking about buying "the bike" I mean as in buying a used one, not a brand new one. And I don't mean I'm that poor to not afford the insurance and gear but I need to work with the money more efficiently.

Answer
Here is the thing bud, you are looking ahead too far.

If you cannot afford 1800-3000 for a used Ninja 250R on top of the cost of the 11,000 dollar R6 then you dont need an R6 to begin with.

And anyways, you have to go one step at a time and be logical. You need around about 1000 dollars for full gear + helmet and the 300 dollar msf course. And if you are not one of those teens that will inevitably pull the throttle, then you will surely be prepared to buy all the gear.

The cool thing is that a 250r has more acceleration and way more fun than a mustang GT. And if you think that as a 17-18 year old (see below) you cannot honestly think that you will grow out of your mustang GT in a couple months to move up to a ferrari enzo of an R6, then you are sorely mistaken.

Even if you grew out of the 250r after 2 riding seasons and you bought it used, then you would not lose any money

Additionally, it is my firm belief that as a new driver then you need more road experience than the one year of a permit before you take the plunge going around on a motorcycle. You need to make it to your full non-provisional licence before it is good for you to to get out there on a motorcycle. On a motorcycle, everybody is out there to kill you, so it is important to learn to drive defensively and look out for morons on the road without your parents with you.

Now, this is disregarding the benifits of a 250r totally.

I know you think, as the 15 year old you are, that the 250r is slow. You would be mistaken. It is fast enough to out accelerate and out turn a mustang gt like i said, and it is 100% capable on the highways. It is capable to pop a wheelie if you try, but not too powerful that you can flip it out if you accidentally slip too much throttle in 3rd gear.

Additionally, the cost is much more realistic for WHEN you drop the bike. You will drop it, frame sliders and farings are a whole lot cheaper on a 250r.
And the 250r still looks boss, so only wankers who wouldnt ride a bike would make fun of it or anything.

Oh, and the 250r is cheaper to service, gets 60+ mpg, lasts longer without expensive repairs, and is easier to upgrade and personalize to fit you best, which is better than starting expensive and not being able to afford any upgrades (or gas)

All and all, it makes more sense to get the 250r, regardless of when you think you might 'grow out of it.'

Play things as they go, there is no reason you cannot start with a 250r. period.

Good luck, be smart.
not even good intent can make you better at juggling chainsaws, so you had better start with the pins. You cant just be careful, they are still freaking chain saws.

Hope this helps you make a smart decision

EDIT: No, a 650r would not really be any better, but it is a better next step from the 250r before an all out race-style bike like the R6

A 650r has the more upright seating position, which is good, but it still has more than enough power than people should start with because it still can flip out with a sudden jerk. It is harder to find these used anyways.

In response to the wondering question, if you are even a little nervous about one aspect of a vehicle, then your driving gets worse and you are more likely to make a different mistake, or even a throttle mistake because you are more twitchy and less controlled on it.

That is another reason you should get a 250, you dont want to be totally afraid of your bike, you want the fun factor for a learning environment. And, when you get used to the ninja, then you can push it, even on regular roads. Making it EVEN more fun to ride. You can never push an r6 or cbr600rr or 650r on the road. You want to earn the knee down and other terrifyingly fun things on something that will not kill you while you try to learn because you made a 1 degree change in the throttle.

You dont or simply cant lose money on a used 250r, because they are worth 2-3000 dollars all year round with all mileage. So, you have no reason to say you want to be 'more efficient'. Unless somebody talks you out of your money, you cannot go wrong.

Hope this helps again and some more.

Toddler tricycle... helmet, knee pads, what do I need?

Alyssa and

My daughter is 18 months old and I want to get her a tricycle. I know its a bit young but the neighbor kids have ride-on toys and she is showing a lot of interest.

What do I need to get to make it safe for her to ride? She would only be using it on the sidewalk in front of our place, never on a street or without me right there. I guess I am the over protective kind of mom, she won't be riding alone till after she is 10 if I have my way. Is a helmet enough?

Answer
Yes for a tricycle a helmet is def. enough, and even for a bicycle with training wheels a helmet is enough also. I wouldn't put knees pads or elbow pads on my kid when they are riding a bike, unless maybe it's when they are learning to ride a two wheeler, but that's just me, if u feel better with them on then by all means put them on her, but it really is unnecessary.

Hope this helps, :D.

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bicycle helmet laws.ca?

JOSE J

does a bicycle rider over 18 yrs old require a
helmet by law

Answer
Hey Jose,

Here is the whole enchilada on the California bike helmet law. Anyone under the age of 18 years of age has to wear a helmet while riding any bicycle, scooter, skates or skateboard on any PUBLIC roadway, highway, bicycle path or street. The key word is Public. If your neighborhood is located on a private roadway then the law does not apply on private land. Here is the California Vehicle Code section:

21212. (a) A person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard, nor shall they wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.

(b) Any helmet sold or offered for sale for use by operators and passengers of bicycles, nonmotorized scooters, skateboards, or in-line or roller skates shall be conspicuously labeled in accordance with the standard described in subdivision (a) which shall constitute the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable safety standards.

(c) No person shall sell, or offer for sale, for use by an operator or passenger of a bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or in-line or roller skates any safety helmet which is not of a type meeting requirements established by this section.

(d) Any charge under this subdivision shall be dismissed when the person charged alleges in court, under oath, that the charge against the person is the first charge against that person under this subdivision, unless it is otherwise established in court that the charge is not the first charge against the person.

(e) Except as provided in subdivision (d), a violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25).

The parent or legal guardian having control or custody of an unemancipated minor whose conduct violates this section shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed pursuant to this subdivision.

(f) Notwithstanding Section 1463 of the Penal Code or any other provision of law, the fines collected for a violation of this section shall be allocated as follows:

(1) Seventy-two and one-half percent of the amount collected shall be deposited in a special account of the county health department, to be used for bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, and in-line and roller skate safety education and for assisting low-income families in obtaining approved bicycle helmets for children under the age of 18 years, either on a loan or purchase basis. The county may contract for the implementation of this program, which, to the extent practicable, shall be operated in conjunction with the child passenger restraint program pursuant to Section 27360.

(2) Two and one-half percent of the amount collected shall be deposited in the county treasury to be used by the county to administer the program described in paragraph (1).

(3) If the violation occurred within a city, 25 percent of the amount collected shall be transferred to and deposited in the treasury of that city. If the violation occurred in an unincorporated area, this 25 percent shall be deposited and used pursuant to paragraph (1).

Added Ch. 1000, Stats. 1993. Effective January 1, 1994.
Amended Sec. 6, Ch. 674, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 475, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.

Kimber = )

Will a paintball mask fit on while wearing a bicycle helmet?

Rini

Hey,
It's spring and while biking I've noticed a lot of bugs are out and I was searching around for something I could wear with my helmet that would keep them off/out of my face. I was wondering: can you wear a paintball mask that has no visor while you are wearing a helmet. It looked as though it would actually fit really well, but before I spend the money on it, I was hoping someone could test it and let me know if it would actually work. Thanks in advance!

Answer
I bought one to use to keep all of the bugs out of my face at dusk but never used it because it was so odd looking and on the large size. It will fit and they are cheap, $5 if you shop around.
Bandanas work until they get saturated with sweat, maybe cheese cloth?

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how do i put evidence in my editorial?

Shirley

please give emaple

Answer
Simple. Cite facts. If you're writing an editorial about bicycle safety, get statistics from the police department or public safety office that says 78 people in our town were hospitalized last year because of injuries suffered on bicycles. Officials say that helmets, and closer adherance to speed limits, would have cut down on that number. And then go on to say how important it is for cyclists and car drivers alike to be careful.

(Of course, I'm making up those statistics ... but when you write your editorial, get actual facts, which you can attribute to a recognized source, and then state your opinion.)

im writing an essay about helmets and why they should be worn. how many of u wear helmets?

Ranma

i need some more evidence quick!

Answer
to do what? ride a bicycle? a horse? skateboard? play football?

I'd say it's sensible for anyone to wear a helmet in any situation where your skull's at risk, but if you need statistics you need to be a little more specific. Maybe check the National Product Safety Commission website.

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is there a bicycle helmet law in georgia for persons over the age of 16?

mr b

Answer
I don't think there is a mandatory bicycle law for adults anywhere in the United States.

In Georgia, is it illegal to ride a bicycle without a helmet?

Tony Tsui

I want to get a new bicycle to ride recreationally. I will only be riding on neighborhood roads and at parks. I will not use it as a mean of transportation or on public roads.

Answer
A full FORTY-FIVE percent of all cycling accidents are "solo falls". No one else or nothing else involved.
http://thinkbicyclingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kaplan_bike_crash_causes.jpg
So unless all the streets in your neighborhood are lined with marshmallows - wear a helmet. Most people who don't like helmets do so because they're too hot. Easily cured. Don't buy a cheapo one from Wally World! Get a good one with lots of ventilation either at a local bike shop or Amazon.com.
Good - http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/helmets/transfer.html
Good - http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/helmets/indicator.html
Better - http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/helmets/rift.html
REAL good! - http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/helmets/savant.html

Georgia Bicycle Laws - as simple as using GOOGLE!
http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/docs/gabicyclelawenforcementguide.pdf
Georgia helmet law.
"No person under the age of 16 years shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, bicycle path, or sidewalk under the jurisdiction or control of this state or any local political subdivision thereof without wearing a bicycle helmet."
http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/helmet/helm_ga.htm

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Does anyone know is a bike helmet could save a child's life if that child was hit by a car?

The Jolly

I know that bike helmets are essential and absolutely prevent head injuries when a child falls off a bike (assuming it fits properly and buckled, etc.)

But would a kid stand a chance if hit by a car and wearing a helmet?

In case your're wondering this question was prompted by an 8 year old being killed on his bike yesterday. He was riding with his father but he had no helmet on when a van struck him. :'(
Really? A helmet only protects the head? Well who whuda thunk it?

For chrissake, I know that. He died of a head injury. I'm asking if helmets are designed to protect in a big impact like that.

It's only dubious to a moron. I have my own child and these issues are important to me.

Answer
Sorry to hear of the accident, that's sad. I'm not good at delivering bad news, so please bear with me on this

Whilst it's tempting to say that "a helmet would have saved his life", it's not always the case. Bike helmets are made of polystyrene foam which is supposed to absorb some of the impact - essentially flattening the roundness of the head to make a bigger contact point at the point of impact, thus reducing the forces on that part of the head. As bicycling is an aerobic exercise (as opposed to motorcycling, which involves you sitting on the motorbike and not much else, at least activities-wise), a bicycle helmet needs to be ventilated or we'd overheat and pass out.

A bike helmet is supposed to be able to reduce injuries to a person falling off their bike from a height of <4 feet at a speed of <12mph. This essentially means a kid falling off his/her bike without any additional forces being exerted, as you've mentioned.

In the case of a van hitting the kid, this immediately takes the helmet out of its certification zone. This hurts to say this, but it's unlikely that the helmet would have made much difference given how they're designed to operate. One other thing to be aware of is that many helmet-certification tests allow the helmet to be taped to the test rig as well as strapped how it should be worn. This is clearly not something we'd do, and nor are we supposed to do it. When independently tested by a UK consumer magazine, many helmets failed to meet the standard (in this case EN1078, for Europe) they were supposedly certified to.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Is it just me or are bicycle helmets worthless....?

Nazgul

I'm not an avid bike rider so my point might be moot but in my opinion they seem very ineffective, sit far too high and don't offer any face protection, I can understand they are made for low (bike) speed impacts but it seem auto accidents are far more likely to injure or kill you thus making the bike helmet worthless in a real world scenario. Also, my biggest complaint is the false sense of security they offer in my opinion and make non wearers seem reckless and dangerous. How often does one land in a way the a high riding foam and plastic skull cap can protect you from...I would be far more concerned about my face structure, fill me in please. Thanks!

Answer
If your helmet is sitting "far too high", you're wearing it wrong. The front should cover the forehead & be the first thing to touch the ground.
https://www.google.com/#q=how+to+wear+bicycle+helmet
http://www.evolutionofdad.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/bike_helmet.jpg

Next...if you think most bicycle accidents or "wrecks" or crashes involve a motor vehicle - you are WRONG! A full 45% do NOT involve anyone or anything else. 45% are SOLO FALLS.
http://thinkbicyclingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kaplan_bike_crash_causes.jpg

Are the streets & roads in your area lined with marshmallows in case of a fall? No...I didn't think so. Most bicycle crashes occur at slower speeds, not involving a car. Helmets can & do save lives.

As far as reckless & dangerous cyclists...don't ya think they would be that way with or without a helmet? Sometimes...you just can't fix stupid. Prime example or illustration demonstrated on this link... https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo2DGC5RrlNrAdnwXhNsMew1K_bKF-6LKFXWsvioj6nwSov1OWoeFOL9VrTCqTSemy73-6zhvvaym2IdHsqZ8iRZ1zEy3DbgbE-5HWOaeda8kB2u8P6ZXgnKxxO6epbksZtAs_rG6FHVP/s400/You+Can't+Fix+Stupid.jpg

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Why should kids wear helmets when riding bikes?

ItsSarahYo

Besides head injuries?

Answer
Helmets for kids PAH!!!!!

Kids are kids they will hurt themselves sometimes (didn't we all??)

If you're going to get them a helmet, Dont forget :

Gloves
Elbow Pads
Shoulder Pads
Spine Guard
Groin Box
Knee Pads
Safety Shoes
Goggles
No sharp objects in Pockets
No jewelery or money (in case they get Mugged)
Mobile phone (in case they're late)
Mace
Burely Minders (might be dodgy people about)
Sat Nav Tracking system (incase they are lost)
Don't forget to wrap them up in lashings of cotton wool!

Do your kids wear bike helmets?

Jessica

I bought my son his first "real bike" today....and along with it i bought a helmet, which also came with knee and elbow pads. I plan on him wearing the helmet and at least knee pads...maybe not the elbows...his dad says this will make him a "sissy", and that boys shouldnt wear helmets. My son is 4, im not about to trust him to be 100% safe on a bike, and as close of an eye as i keep on him, we all know it only takes 1 second for something to happen...is it uncommon now a days to wear one? Is it "uncool"? Do your kids wear one? Why or why not? Thanks!

Answer
Okay, he's FOUR. I would not ever let my child (four or any age), (Girl or boy) on a bike without a helmet. A four year old is not a pro biker. He's going to fall and scrape his knees and hands, and get himself hurt a bunch of times. But if he's not wearing a helmet, he can fall on his head and either bust it wide open and end up in the emergancy room or end up dead over it. Any parent will make their children wear a helmet, unless they just don't care what happens to them. No, wearing a helmet will not make him a "sissy", it will save his LIFE. That's just as ignorant as saying "boys shouldn't ride motorcycles with helmets, because it makes them 'sissys'". If it does, I would rather have a "sissy" son than a "dead" son.
Explain that to his dad.

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Cycling laws in France - Need help please!!??

Lorraine

My Brother is going to France over the weekend and is taking his mountain bike with him to get around. We are having a debate coz he doesnt want to look like an idiot wearing a helmet but i think its safe to wear one. Does anyone know whether there is a Law in France which states if people have to wear helemts while riding a bike? And also are the streets over there lit up fairly good or are they quite dark at night? Cheers peeps!

Answer
No helmets are optional.

But like the UK, people who are serious about their cycling, wear them,- not so much in an urban environment.

France is an excellent place to cycle (don't know about MTBs though) I've cycled in the South on a few occasions, their roads are better than UK roads in many respects and the French love cyclists (again, unlike the UK!)

I hope to be going over again next summer.

And no, take good lighting with you, rural France isn't too hot on street lighting, the towns are generally ok though!

Enjoy.

.

How many of you guys actually wear helmets when you ride your bikes?

deckedinny

I mean like beach cruiser bikes.

Answer
I always wear my helmet. They aren't compulsory where I live (The UK), and I'd guess that only about half of the cyclists that I see are wearing them.
I've been thankful for my helmet when riding a motorbike, but never actually put my cycling helmet to the test yet.
I don't see what difference the type of bike makes, the ground is just as hard whatever type of bike you fall off.

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Is my bicycle helmet too small?

tidy mess

I bought a Bell Faction bicycle helmet for my urban riding. I measured my head at its right at the border between what should be medium and what should be large size helmet. I tried on the large and it was definitely too big - it kept sliding off my head when I pushed on it. So I bought the medium. I haven't worn it riding yet but I've worn it around the house a little bit and I think it's a little bit too snug because it gives me a bit of a headache and I can feel my heart beating on the sides of my head which I assume means that the helmet it putting a little bit of pressure on the blood flow between my skull and my skin.

What should I do? Try it out riding and tolerate the mild headaches in hopes that the helmet will loosen up a bit over time? I should I return it and just accept the sad fact that neither the medium nor the large helmet fits my head?

Thanks!

Answer
Yeah, if the Bell doesn't fit right, try another brand. I bought a Bell helmet too, but found that it didn't fit me well and ended up spending a little more money and getting a Trek. Your helmet may or may not have a ratchet wheel on the back--if it does, play with that and that will probably fix it. If it doesn't, take the pads out of the helmet. They should just velcro in. Your helmet definitely shouldn't slide around on your head though, so good call in not getting the bigger size.

Which Bicycle Helmet should I buy?

Alice

Okay, I'm thinking about buying a new bicycle helmet.

I have two options.

Bell Multi-sport Faction

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2192693&cp=3077572.2716578.2712466.1066858&parentPage=family

Or a Bell Solar Helmet

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2212013&cp=3077572.2716578.2712466.1066850&parentPage=family

I could spring for the extra $10 for the other helmets if I wanted to.

Anyways, Which should I buy? The Faction is more fashionable and the latter is more, ventilated.

They're both CPSC certified, so I have two choices, fashion or ventilated?

I'll be riding to and from school, so cold mornings, and hot afternoons.

I'm thinking of also buying a mirror on my helmet or my handle bar, too geeky?

Thanks you for the answers!

Answer
Both helmets look perfectly suitable. Go with what you like.

I would stay away from helmet mounted mirrors. Having a sharp stick with glass attached that near your eyes is a bad idea in the event of a crash.
-----
Edit: Now that I think about it, try both helmets on, and go with the one that fits better. A well-fitting helmet will be more protective if you ever need it.

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Why don't motorcycle drivers wear helmets?

SlyKitty

I see this so much and don't understand it. I see people on bicycles wearing a helmet, on horseback wearing a helmet, but seldom see anyone on a motorcycle wearing one. Tonight I saw a fellow about 60 and his helmet was all by itself behind him. I see couple on motorcycles wearing little clothing and sandals and no helmets. I remember motorcycle drivers used to wear leather jackets, boots & helmets. Why aren't helmets mandatory anymore?
Pat aka Lady Luck - It is surprising to me when a doctor says helmets should be illegal. Why not motorcycles be illegal as that is the reason people are left in the condition they remain. Trusting people around you who are protected in vehicles is ridiculous when you have no control on a motorcycle of how protected you are. I don't understand why it is not mandatory everywhere that you do what is possible to protect your safety.

Answer
I honestly don't know why anyone would ride without a helmet or proper clothing.
As a 12 year old girl, I used to ride on the back of my step-father Harley and I can tell you it can be rather frightening to see the pavement so close to your body at over 70 miles an hour.
I suppose some people just know your chances of survival if hurt going so fast are pretty slim at best so they just prefer to throw caution to the wind.
I know that in two cases I know of personally a helmet saved a life and could of saved another in the long run.
My parents rode around all day on a sunny beautiful day in S. Cal. back in the late 60's without their helmets on.
They took a short break and my mother said she thought they should put their helmets on for the rest of their ride.
About 2 min. later, a fast moving car cut in front of them and my step-father and mom flew over the car and dad landed face first on the pavement with the bike and my mom following on top of him.
He was injured badly but the helmet saved his life.( broken nose and shoulder)
A close family friend was only 20 and not wearing a helmet in the early 70's.
He was stopped at a red light when a car hit him from behind and he flew and hit his head on the concrete road divider.
His skull was fracutured and his under went brain surgery and had a plate put in his head.
His whole personality changed and about 18 months after his accident he shot himself in the head leaving his new bride and baby alone.
Found out the change in him was from a tumor growing under the plate.
Very scary stuff.
My parents sold all 3 of the bikes after their accident and never rode again.
I know most US states require helmets and here in Europe it is the law to wear one.

When operating a bicycle in California (LA) do you need to wear a bike helmet?

LACES OUT!

what are the restrictions if any???

Answer
Laces

If you are under 18 it is mandatory. If you are over it is optional. Where I live in in So Ca;, literally everyone wears a helmet. When I see someone not wearing a helmet I see a noob, who just does not get it....

Soccerref

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I am looking into buying a new road bike?

Q. I use to have an entry level Trek and loved it. I am looking to upgrade a bit but don't want to spend more than 2000.00. I heard that Giant makes great road bikes for woman. Any suggestions? I am training for a triathlon in 2013 and need a good bike to train with. Thanks!

Answer
If you liked trek, by all means get another! But since you want to do Triathlons, make sure you get aerobars (and even an aero helmet if you want). The main thing about the bike is that fit is key, especially in the aeroposition with aerobars.

Trying to buy my first road Bike. Choosing between Trek and Specialized?

Q. Price range is probably at most 700 (not including lights, helmet etc.) Trying to choose between a Specialized Allez double (684), or a trek 1.2 compact (600). Would use the bike sometimes in the city, but also to travel on the road to other states.

Answer
Both excellent companies. This may sound "over-simplified" but true. Test ride both bikes extensively. Fit & feel is THE #1 priority. Whichever bike feels the best & rides the best to you - buy it. Yep...it's that simple.

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Electric bicycle conversion kit vs electric bicycle?

PETER P

Considering purchasing an electric bike kit. My main objective is it must be inconspicuous(I don't think their legal in NY?) and be able to tackle a 3mile hill on a 10mile trip to where I could recharge it. I think the kit less conspisious with the battery pack consealed in a back pack over the rear fender or saddle bags?

Answer
Personally I don't care much for motorised bicycles unless dealing with disabilities. A fit rider can usually ride about as quickly and for longer distances.

A kit is usually a better option since the motor can be removed with reasonable ease. And you can still ride the bike with it off. There are many different types of kits. Friction drives. Hub motors and one's that utilise the drive chain.

The friction drives tend to wear out your tyres quickly. The hub motors are a bit expensive and do not run efficiently at all speeds. The drive chain type are quite efficient and work through your gears so are more flexible. These ones are claimed to be greater than 95% efficient.

http://www.cyclone-usa.com/

I know of similar designs but I don't think they are available in the U.S.

Still they are better than a car.

Bicycle and Pedestrian laws in the State of New York

MOTORIZED BICYCLES
Section 2268. Motor-assisted vehicle. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a vehicle which is primarily designed to be propelled by human power shall not be entitled to registration as a limited use vehicle because of the addition of a motor. The commissioner shall determine whether any vehicle is primarily designed to be propelled by human power.

http://www.oginski-law.com/library/bicycle-and-pedestria.cfm

The commissioners discretion. Here is a proposed bill that seems to outline the guidelines .You would have to be unlucky to get booked if you follow these.

??????NOT PASSED YET ??????

Section 1 of the bill adds a new Section 102-c to the vehicle and traffic law, defining electric assisted bicycles as:

A bicycle with two or three wheels which has a saddle and fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and also has an electric motor.

However, the electric motor should not have a power output of more than one thousand watts, and should be incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than twenty miles per hour on level ground. The electric motor should also be incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device at or more than twenty miles per hour.

Section 2 adds an exception in section 125 of the vehicle and traffic law to the statutory definition of motor vehicle for electric assisted bicycles.

Section 3 adds a new section 1240 to the vehicle and traffic law, making the rules, regulations and provisions of the vehicle and traffic law applicable to bicycles applicable to electric assisted bicycles; makes the federal equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles or motor driven cycles applicable to electric assisted bicycles; and adds the following operational and safety requirements for electric assisted bicycles: electric motor disengagement criteria; all operators and passengers are required to wear bicycle helmets; and no-one under the age of 16 may operate or as a passenger on an electric assisted bicycle and establishes the civil fine and enforcement procedures for failure to wear a helmet.

Section 4 is the effective date.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#New_York

How about deleting the other four times you asked this question?

is it dangerous to move in bicycle in new york ?

Emmanuel B

im french and in France move in bicycle in Paris by example is very dangerous, little bike path, driver disrespect cyclists... frequent serious accidents.

Thanks for your answers

Answer
Recently there have been more bike path lanes added by the city commissioner of transportation. However as a fellow cyclist, I would recommend that you wear a helmet, observe signals, watch out for pedestrians, and mostly how traffic flows especially by buses and taxi's.

During the Spring and Summer months, Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn is free from auto traffic during Saturday's and Sunday's as well.

Sunday, May 1st is the NYC five borough bike tour that you can register on line or at the tour. Also critical mass rides occur at the last weekend of the month as well.

Enjoy

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How can you legally travel on a 50cc scooter with a toddler?

jeff_rulz_

It is legal in Missouri to drive without a license or helmet on a 50cc scooter and I would like to purchase one to cruise around town. However, I am concerned about how much I would use it. I would use it more frequently if I could legally carry my 3 year old with me. Just curious if it's legal and what I should get to protect him (other than a bicycle helmet).

Thanks!

Answer
A bicycle helmet will do NO good.
3 years simply isn't big enough.

I'm all for kids riding, my son sat behind me at 6. There are minimum requirements, even if not written into law (they are law elsewhere): Dedicated seat for passenger, dedicated footrest for passenger (which they must be able to use), handhold(s) for passenger. Helmet - and a styrofoam cooler is for beer, not pavement.
The passenger must be large enough (and understand enough) to be able to hold on. The helmet must fit properly - good luck finding a hat for the little melon.

I added an extra set of pegs for Jr. The law said he must reach, did not specify must be in original location.

What do you think of a parent who tows a 2-seat bike trailer ( 2 yr + 3 yr kids in it) on a busy road?

honesty_co

I know of a gentleman who regularly drives his bike on a busy 4-lane road, a road that during most of the times is packed with heavy trucks and 18-wheelers whizzing by at 50 to 60 miles per hour. He says that roads are build for bicycles also and that a bicycle has every right to be on the road, as much as the cars and trucks also. Problem is, it is an old road, and when two transports are side-by-side they are so close they almost touch each other !

Not only that, but he pulls behind him a 2-seater bike trailer, one where his 2 year old son and 3 year old daughter sit, side-by-side. that trailer must be about 4 feet wide, and because of the potholes, he often has to drive not very close to the curb, all the while pedaling at about 5 to 10 miles per hour (crawling, in other words).

My question is this: Do you feel he is risking the life of himself and his kids by riding on such a road? How long do you think he will last?
What is left of a child carrying bike trailer when a 60 ton transport hits the child-trailer at 60 miles per hour?

And what do you think of such a parent who does this?

--

(personally: I own a folding bike, and I ride on the sidewalks (rather slowly also), and when I am within about 30 feet of a pedestrian on the sidewalk, I either stop completely and get off my bike to walk past them, or I simply get totally off the sidewalk to go around him, either on the grass, or onto the road when it is safe to do so (no cars). Sidewalks are for people, so I always get the heck off of them when there are people nearby. However, I'm usually doing only about 5 mph, and sometimes even joggers on the sidewalk pass me by, that is how slow i am on the sidewalks. )

I drive on the sidewalks because I have a relative that died 12 years ago while riding on the road. He had reflectors, helmet, tail light, headlight, bell, everything. He was riding within 24 inches of the curb when he was hit from behind by a car doing 110 in a 50 zone. He was dead before his body even hit the ground, and his body was in multiple pieces when it did hit the ground. Since then, I drive on the sidewalks only, slowly too, so as not to be dangerous to any pedestrians. The roads scare me to death.

Oh yes, I own two cars also, but I like to drive a bike for the exercise, to try to be more healthy, that's all.

Answer
Q. What do you think of a parent who tows a 2-seat bike trailer ?
A. Cool dad!

At least he follows the Law, not like you.

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Can skateboard helmets be used for inline skate helmets?

Scrumdiliu

I know that there is a difference between bicycle helmets, skating helmets, skateboard helmets, and snowboarding helmets but I was wondering if skateboard helmets and skate helmets could be used as the same?

I am a new skater and I think it would be idea if I get skate pads, etc.

Also do you recommend a brand? I was looking at Walmart and they seemed pretty safe.

Answer
There are two types of helmets: Bicycle and Multisport.
The names don't really describe the differences but are based on history of their development.

Bicycle helmets are lighter and usually have more air vents to keep you cool. They are usually more aerodynamically shaped. They are designed for the types of accident you get while moving forward and are good for rec/fitness/race skating.

Multisport helmets are designed for protection when there is more risk of hitting the back of your head such as skateboarding or doing tricks on skates or bikes.
They tend to be hotter because of lack of vents. They are tend to have a round shape and cover the back and sides of the head. The lining is made to protect if you hit another object on the way down (like a rail for grinding).

All helmets are only designed for one hard hit. They may not appear to be damaged but they may not protect well against a second hit.

For your skates, get the helmet appropriate for the type of skating you will be doing.

This goes for your pads also. The pads for aggressive and freestyle skating are thicker and cover more area than for rec/fitness/race skating.

For rec/fitness/racing skating, wrist guards are really important. You will almost always slide on your hands. However, I wear aggressive glove style wrist guards because they cover more skin in order to keep it intact.
Knee pads are more optional for "straight ahead" skating. When (not if) you fall, you should be sliding instead of falling straight down. The pads keep the skin from being scraped up. I have found that the scrapes are just below the knee and not just in the area that the pads cover. However, scrapes there heal faster and are not as painful while healing than ones on your hand. Tegaderm is a wonderful way to cover this kind of scrape. It keeps it moist so that you don't have the pain that happens when dry scabs crack and peal. It also is waterproof, can stay on for a week, and can cover large areas.
I have yet to know anyone who has significantly scraped up an elbow in straight ahead skating.

Why a different helmet for everything?

JohnnyFVR

Would a skating helmet be okay for riding your mountain bike? I know, socially it may look dorky, but wouldn't it withstand a fall?? Why don't biking helmets cover more of the lower part of the head like a skating helmet does? What about open-face motorcycle helmets, your whole lower face will be torn off.

Answer
Some helmets are designed to take more of a light repeated beating than others. Some helmet designs reflect a greater need for rearward and peripheral vision for that given sport they were designed to be used in.

A Kayaking helmet might well be expected for instance to need to endure to be practical light tapping on stones such as might happen during a roll in a river more often than a road going bike helmet would be expected to need to endure.

In fact, there should with best practices be no tapping on a bike helmet.

Most bike helmets are thus designed with a single impact (or series thereof that one might need to endure in a single crash) in mind. One reason for this is that the relative energies involved in a typical bike crash can be detrimental to survivability, your head plus a heavy bike helmet might mean your bike helmet breaks your neck by adding substantial energy to the crash.

Another reason for shorty, light weight helmets is bike equipment must be pushed by peddling and thus a heavier helmet is harder work; this means that in terms of styling, which is often set by racing people, the lighter more streamlined design wins out. And a bike helmet that is physically painful to wear because of it's weight, or capacity to overheat the head on a hot day, is less likely to be on any given head in any given crash.

But I suspect the principle reason for "shorty" helmet designs being used in helmets for road bikes versus other types of endeavors is that bicyclists must always be aware of the constantly changing threat levels coming from the rear, thus requiring many turns of the head, but yet even still more sideways glances that would otherwise be blocked by a design offering greater on impact protection. A kayaking helmet doesn't need as much rearward or peripheral vision as a road bike.

A Kayaking helmet used for off road use makes a tad more sense than many typical bike helmets. The speeds attained and expected load range is thus comparable. The need exists for a light tapping survivability as off roaders can be expected in many environs to lightly glance off trees with some regularity in normal use, and this might not be all that good for the long term usefulness of a bike helmet principally designed for road use and zero tapping (which could loosen the shell and cause catastrophic failure and thus lead to disabling injury or even death).

The original modern helmets were built for fighter plane flying airmen for survivability in a crash at moderately high speeds. These were hand made to fit each pilot. Most people couldn't afford such work. Thus the modern bike helmet is adjustable in it's fit.

Don't neglect proper fit; and be sure to wear the very smallest helmet that will still fit your head. More foam padding is usually a bad thing. Too much foam allows the helmet to rotate in a crash. You don't want that. Rotation doesn't absorb energy, but rather at worst causes the helmet to need to absorb the energy of any given crash faster. The stiff foam (not the padding) in a helmet is designed for an expected load range over an expected period of time. Don't compromise this by pouring solvents on it, or exposing it to prolonged periods in the sun. Keep the helmet clean, you'll use a clean helmet more. But don't use anything more harsh than mild soap with allot of water, and thoroughly rinse. Salt has been shown to affect some plastics, and foams, so wash the sweat off regularly.

Painting a helmet is usually OK, but don't hide accident marks under a fresh paint job. If you've damage, likely you could have compromised the glue that holds the shell on the hard foam on some designs. This could lead to the shell popping off in an accident, and thus utter failure of the hard foam to absorb the energy of the fall and thus injury and even perhaps death.

Don't ride to fast and expect the helmet to save you either. Even motorcycle helmets are of little use past a 35 mile per hour into a brick wall stop; and even then they won't likely save a fellow from severe injury of death.

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What stuff should you wear dirtbiking on trails?

best bike helmet value image

Luke

I've already got a helmet but should I go get boots and chest protectors,ect. If I'm just going slow on trails?

Answer
I wear MX boots because ankle injuries are the #1 injury for riding off-road. My $400 boots are WAY cheaper than a broken ankle, months off the bike, etc..

I wear knee Braces (not just pads) because knee injuries are the #2 injury for off-road riding. I happened to watch my wife go through a torn ACL (knee damage), it took 3 YEARS for her to get back to a semblance of normal, and our hospital bills were well over $100,000

I wear padded riding shorts because it just plain hurts to fall on a hip

I wear elbow, shoulder, back and chest protection for the same reason.

I wear a neck brace because I like my collarbones intact and prefer not to finish out my life as a paralyzed person (or right there on the trail).

And finally, I wear a helmet because I value my head, and the brain it contains that sustains my life.

There's SO much more to it than just a helmet. My riding gear totals near $2000, but it's Still cheaper than a trip to the hospital, and is WAY more convenient than recovering from injury that was easily prevented.

Lol, opps.. I did forget gloves and goggles

Why is it illegal for someone not to wear a seat belt but motorcyclists don't have to wear one or a helmet?

p

Why can you get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt in a car but a motorcyclist doesn't get a ticket for not wearing one or aren't required to wear helmets? They are more at risk for getting harmed in an accident.

Answer
Seat belts are a proven life saver. My family has been using seat belts in automobiles since the mid 1950's. No educated person doubts the effectiveness of seat belts in saving lives. No one of reasonable inteligence who values their life would ride without a seatbelt. Which means that the majority don't bother. The meddling do-gooders hence made it a law that you have to wear seat belts.

Personally I think it should be optional. The people that would die are of little use to society and easily replaced.

On the other hand, motorcycle helmets have not been show to be effective in saving lives. The States that have mandatory helmet usage has an insignificantly higher death rate per motorcycle accident.

While a motrocyclist will be injured in a collision, for any given person the risk of a collision is significantly lower on a motorcycle than in a car. I would rather avoid a collision on a bike than survive the collision in a car.

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how do I sell a line of children bicycle helmets?

bicycle helmets design image

ppchen_200

I have an exclusive license to sell a line of uniquely designed and safe children bicycle helmets. Would like to now what is the best approach or channel to distribute these helmets. Any information appreciated.

Answer
First, if you want to sell in the U.S. the helmets must meet government safety rules. Contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission and make sure the helmets have met their requirements.

Second, most people will not buy a helmet unless it is ANSI or Snell approved. If your helmet is not, it will cost $$$ for the testing if you choose to have this certification.

Third, you will want to have excellent insurance coverage. Since you are new to this particular item the insurance companies will charge you top dollar until you get "experience".

Finally, you'll need to start knocking on doors and providing samples to dealers and distributors as well as attending safety and bicycle shows. Alternately, you might be able to talk a few local stores into carrying them on consignment until you get a name for yourself.

Yes, it is a long and expensive process, but if it was cheap and easy everyone would do it.

Can skateboard helmets be used for inline skate helmets?

Scrumdiliu

I know that there is a difference between bicycle helmets, skating helmets, skateboard helmets, and snowboarding helmets but I was wondering if skateboard helmets and skate helmets could be used as the same?

I am a new skater and I think it would be idea if I get skate pads, etc.

Also do you recommend a brand? I was looking at Walmart and they seemed pretty safe.

Answer
There are two types of helmets: Bicycle and Multisport.
The names don't really describe the differences but are based on history of their development.

Bicycle helmets are lighter and usually have more air vents to keep you cool. They are usually more aerodynamically shaped. They are designed for the types of accident you get while moving forward and are good for rec/fitness/race skating.

Multisport helmets are designed for protection when there is more risk of hitting the back of your head such as skateboarding or doing tricks on skates or bikes.
They tend to be hotter because of lack of vents. They are tend to have a round shape and cover the back and sides of the head. The lining is made to protect if you hit another object on the way down (like a rail for grinding).

All helmets are only designed for one hard hit. They may not appear to be damaged but they may not protect well against a second hit.

For your skates, get the helmet appropriate for the type of skating you will be doing.

This goes for your pads also. The pads for aggressive and freestyle skating are thicker and cover more area than for rec/fitness/race skating.

For rec/fitness/racing skating, wrist guards are really important. You will almost always slide on your hands. However, I wear aggressive glove style wrist guards because they cover more skin in order to keep it intact.
Knee pads are more optional for "straight ahead" skating. When (not if) you fall, you should be sliding instead of falling straight down. The pads keep the skin from being scraped up. I have found that the scrapes are just below the knee and not just in the area that the pads cover. However, scrapes there heal faster and are not as painful while healing than ones on your hand. Tegaderm is a wonderful way to cover this kind of scrape. It keeps it moist so that you don't have the pain that happens when dry scabs crack and peal. It also is waterproof, can stay on for a week, and can cover large areas.
I have yet to know anyone who has significantly scraped up an elbow in straight ahead skating.

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Could the motorcycle glasses Will Smith wears in I, Robot become possible to the real world? ?

best motorbike helmet for glasses image

Travis T

I noticed the computerized warning system they had and just got curious. In my opinion something like this could be very useful to motorcyclists.

Answer
The Germans have already built a crashproof motorbike, it has a heads up display in the helmet.

You can see a demo here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfMyePXZD94

Whats it like driving a motorbike?

Q. Does it take a lot of practice driving a motorbike or is it easy to drive?

How would you go about getting lessons and when you go for your test is your examiner on the bike behind you?

Answer
Yes it does take some practice. This is considered heavy machinery (just like a car) and can be very dangerous or deadly if one does not develop some skill level. For normal cruising or street riding, one would only need to know how to properly operate the motorcycle and some emergency maneuvers for those risky moments.

In order to be very good at motorcycling, one would first need to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic RiderCourse. This course will teach you everything you need to know to basically ride a motorcycle in common traffic. The course instructors provide the motorcycles and the helmets, all the rider needs to provide is eye protection, a long sleeve shirt, pants and shoes that cover the ankles (like work boots). The course instructor will have his own motorcycle (he does not ride behind you on the same bike) and he will teach you slowly how to ride a motorcycle, how to shift, turn, brake etc. He will also set up a track for you to go through (after demonstrating what is expected of the rider). The course is taught so that it is very very easy to ride a motorcycle. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily learn how to ride a motorcycle. It's definitly not hard but requires some work. AND DONT LET YOUR FRIENDS TEACH YOU HOW TO RIDE!! YOU WILL VERY LIKELY GET HURT IN THE FUTURE!!! (statistically those who got into accidents in the first six months of riding were taught by a friend).

To compare riding a motorcycle to a car. A car is essentially a glass room with a steering wheel. you turn a wheel and see (and slightly feel) the car move one way or the other. Riding a motorcycle is much more engaging. you dont just turn a wheel and push down on pedals. you use your whole body to move 'with' the bike, almost like dancing with a partner. you feel the senation of the wind and feel exposed and in your environment (as opposed to an enclosed A/C room), you smell the smell in the air (trees, fresh-cut grass, delicious food cooking in a restaurant), feel the heat of the sun warm your body, the bike vibrating underneath you, the sound of the motor etc. It is MUCH more engaging and, while you are exposed to more danger, have a better connection with your vehicle and the world, this provides enjoyment in ways cars cannot do (even really expensive ones). This is just one of the many reasons we ride.

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