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.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

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.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers