Helmets

BSAG has written today about whether it should be made compulsory for cyclists to wear ‘safety’ helmets, which is, of course, something I’m currently fairly interested in. Since buying the new bike back in April (which also means I’ve now been cycling for three solid months – Gods, it feels a lot longer than that!) Herself has insisted that I wear a helmet. And I do so.

Now, I’m not one of these people who gives a toss really about whether or not I look like a knob. My genetic heritage has ensured that I manage to look like one most of the time without even trying, let alone worrying about acoutrements that might help the cause. But I find I don’t like wearing the bike helmet at all. Appearance isn’t an issue. I find I don’t like the way the straps work, or where they’re placed, and personally I feel that some of the “functions” of the helmet actually increase the risk when wearing it.

Primarily, the straps vibrate in any form of wind. Of course, on a bike there’s always a breeze going past, and so the vibrating straps set up a hum in the ears that can block out the sound of a car approaching from the rear. (and has, on several occasions) It doesn’t help that I’ve got ears that stick out, making my head resemble a taxi with both doors open, which of course adds to this problem.

I don’t feel invincible wearing a helmet – Bracknell’s drivers go a long way towards reminding me that a helmet is no protection against a fuckwit bastard in a BMW – and I don’t take unnecessary risks. (well, not too many, anyway) Do I think the helmet would do me any good at all in an accident? No, probably not.

I realise that there are circumstances where a helmet probably does help. But they’re more in the instances of “falling off” rather than “hitting something”. And in thos I’d probably be just as well off with a pair of decent bike gloves to stop me grinding my hands to shit. I’ve also been watching the Tour De France over the last week, and in both of the “big” accidents I’ve seen, most people didn’t come anywhere even close to landing on their heads, instead sliding down the road on hip/thigh/arm. When riding in the TDF though, I can see the point of the helmet for one thing – when there’s a big accident, you get other bikes landing on you too, and that’s when the helmet is useful for protection. But that’s not a “normal” bike-riding circumstance.

I’ll keep on wearing one, as Herself thinks that it helps, and if she’s less concerned about me on the bike then that’s fine with me. But no, I personally don’t feel it does me any positive favours at all. I’m sure I’ll reassess that as and when I have an accident (I don’t intend to have one just to find out, but well, law of averages and all that jazz) and in the meantime I’ll minimize the chances I’ve got of having an accident.

But, as BSAG says, a helmet and minimizing the risks has no effect in comparison to better bike routes, and drivers that actually pay attention to other road users.