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.
I am looking for a bicycle helmet. My head is 27" around. I can't find one my size anywhere. Any ideas?
captainauc
That's basically it. I can't find a helmet that will fit my head anywhere. Anyone out there have an abnormally large head like mine that was able to find a good bike helmet? Thanks.
Answer
Bell helmets makes the largest stock helmet I know of. I can't remember the model.
Bell helmets makes the largest stock helmet I know of. I can't remember the model.
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