No I really don't need a cycle helmet... or do I?

Sixty-five years ago, when the roads were so much quieter and before the advent of cycling helmets, my twenty year old cousin was found on the ground. His unprotected head against the edge of the kerb, his bicycle between his legs. He had sustained a fractured skull and died on the operating table. If he had had the advantage of a cycling helmet he probably would have survived this tumble, no other vehicle involved.

And some people do have ‘eggshell skulls’ but don’t know that until they break.

The words “Think of your head like an eggshell with the yolk inside” stuck with me.
Your brain is the yolk and the eggshell your skull. We humans are fragile in many ways, so wearing a helmet isn’t too much to ask if thought of in this way.

Cycling insurance is not so rare, many people have it myself and Mr B included.

So sorry to hear your story, MOnica. My lovely son in law sustained a serious injury on a bicycle. He has made a full recovery, but there was a time when I feared that my daughter might be a young widow, and my Grandchildren might grow up without their beloved father.
BlueBelle, we are all at risk on stairs and steps, but are probably not travelling at speed at the time, and are unlikely to bump into a car in the hall.

I wear one, it is mandatory here. Very rarely do you see a person without a helmet.

I wear a helmet when cycling but I don’t wear it walking downstairs where I have tripped more than I have ever done falling off my bike

Sometimes it takes hearing other people's real life experiences for a person to consider the gravity of having an accident.

M0nica

I can only assume the OP hates her family and can imagine nothing more pleasurable than leaving them to deal with her death or even worse her lifetime disability.

I’m guessing it’s more of a “she knows best” situation.

I can only assume the OP hates her family and can imagine nothing more pleasurable than leaving them to deal with her death or even worse her lifetime disability.

I’m blown away that people still choose not to wear helmets.

I must be in a very safety conscious area. No one I know would dare ride without one

Someone I know (cycling for 55 years and a cycle instructor after retirement} was knocked off his bike. Broke his shoulder, months of agony...BUT banged head on road very hard, little damage because of cycle helmet. Without it ...doesn't bear thinking about!!

Some years ago, my ex went over the bonnet of a car that pulled out of a side road across a cycle lane without looking. Helmet split in two, bike a write-off, ex walked away with nothing worse than a bit of a headache. His cycle insurance paid for a new bike and helmet, then reclaimed it from the driver’s insurance.

I cannot understand why anyone would consider regular cycling without a helmet and insurance.

I agree.

yes I agree about cycle insurance, I take it out every year, helps with legal stuff if I am involved in anything eg cars sometimes come much too close dogs on extenting leads. It also provides me with third party insurance. Helmets and insurance should be compulsory for all cyclists

i think most cycling clubs/campaign groups include it in their yearly fee.

I imagine having cycling insurance is very rare.

PollyDolly

At the risk of appearing very rude........anyone who rides a bicycle without wearing a safety helmet is a complete idiot! I have also witnessed the devastating effects of a brain injury sustained because someone neglected to wear a helmet.

Yes...so have I, but could be too identifying to talk about it here.

We cycle regularly....also mainly cycle paths, but do go on roads to get to them. We wouldn’t dream of not wearing a helmet.

Years ago, there were less cars, and roads/ paths were in better condition. People were more courteous generally. Now, on our local cycle paths, we have to give way to horse back riders!! and pedestrians. These pedestrians often have untethered dogs. These are the real problem for us. Have nearly come off the bike a few times, because a dog has just appeared from nowhere. The owners shout at us, but it’s a cycle path, we respond, as we go past.

The other bug bear is people plugged into music! All over the place. Can’t hear your bell ?.

No....I wouldn’t go without a helmet.

It’s not just your safety BlueBelle, it’s also the risk to others if you cause or are involved in an incident. It’s like these idiots who head up the Scottish hills in a hoodie and trainers. Safety equipment is there for a reason

At the risk of appearing very rude........anyone who rides a bicycle without wearing a safety helmet is a complete idiot! I have also witnessed the devastating effects of a brain injury sustained because someone neglected to wear a helmet.

Before retirement I worked with students. We lost students every year to RTAs because they didn’t wear helmets, hi viz waistcoats or have lights on their bikes.

Coming off your bike at 10mph and sliding across a gravelly road, skin can be flayed off noses, chins, cheeks, arms and legs. An unprotected head hitting a granite kerb at 5mph could result in life changing injuries.

Although cyclists can see other road users in twilight, if cyclists are wearing black or denim and no hi viz (as lots do) or have no lights they can be invisible to other road users until it’s too late.

Better safe than sorry. Wear a helmet always and at least snap and crack wristbands or ankle bands and use lights for visibility to others.

Cycle safely there are lots of dangers on the road nowadays.

Katek exactly you fell over in your bedroom and so might I or down the stairs, one of my grandmas died through falling off a chair she was sitting on I own my own safety and accept that every time I get out of bed I am taking a chance with something

monica I'm so sorry to hear that.

so sorry monica, such a very sad thing to happen