helmets

[chestnut]

I'm brand new here, so I apologize if I'm bringing up an old, talked-to-death topic. I am not trying to start an argument, just curious and looking for input. Thanks!

I ride horses, and since there are obvious parallels I was thinking of riding a bike too, for more exercise and to strengthen my legs. With horses, I wear my ASTM/SEI-approved equestrian helmet whenever I ride, and replace the thing every couple of years just in case. I was assuming I'd go out and buy a bike helmet (I realize you can't cross over with the horse/bike helmets) but when I began looking into it, I found the the federal agency charged with bike helmet standards to be unimpressive, and the available research skimpy - ie, I could find plenty of news articles referencing how 'research' proves that bike helmets reduce injuries in cycling accidents, but not the research itself or even where or who did it. In other words, lots of claims, not much pure information.

Am I just not looking in the right places? With horses, I was able to check out quite a lot of very interesting research into riding accidents and brain injuries; I don't seem to find that sort of thing with bicycles.

[indysteel]

I can't really attest to what information is available on this site. I wear an approved helmet and haven't really wondered whether it's actually helpful. Most of my evidence is antedotal. I've had friends who've been involved in accidents. While their helmets cracked, their heads did not. That's enough for me.

http://www.helmets.org/index.htm#helmets

[SadieKate]

I conducted my own research. Test A) Smacked my head on the pavement while wearing a helmet while going only about 18 mph. Observation: It makes a nasty sound and makes you dizzy. Conclusion: Don't try Test B.

[indysteel]

I conducted my own research. Test A) Smacked my head on the pavement while wearing a helmet while going only about 18 mph. Observation: It makes a nasty sound and makes you dizzy. Conclusion: Don't try Test B.

I'm glad you had a helmet on SK!!!!

[alpinerabbit]

The one time I crashed I had no helmet on. I did so in the vicinity of a lamp post. I don't want to do test B either.

Although - they argue over here against a helmet mandate by claiming a reduction in head injuries is not proven.

In a rare exception (i'm usually insisting on evidence) anecdotes suffice for me.

I guess you'll be safe with one of the major brands, they will have a certification sticker.

[OakLeaf]

That's goofy, "a reduction in head injuries is not proved."

(1) They know how much impact a human head can take before the brain is injured.

(2) They know how much impact is transmitted to the inside of a helmet, compared to the impact applied to the outside of it. (This is part of the Snell Memorial Foundation testing, and no I don't trust a helmet that isn't Snell rated.)

Are these real scientists who refuse to make the connection between (1) and (2)????

[wolfak]

I conducted my own research. Test A) Smacked my head on the pavement while wearing a helmet while going only about 18 mph. Observation: It makes a nasty sound and makes you dizzy. Conclusion: Don't try Test B.

So back when I was 12, I recall riding my new mountain bike that I had purchased at Wal-Mart with my allowance. I had just started waving at some neighbors in their front yard-----

--12 hours and 1 out of body experience later--

--woke up in county hospital with severe concussion, unable to stand up without fainting and/or puking, later found out to be from the bruising my brain had undergone. About 6 hours after that and the 1.5 hour ground ambulance ride to the nearest MRI instrument, which showed the excess fluids inside my cranium and proved to be enough motion for me to puke some more.

Once at the larger hospital, I had received a mylar balloon with silver backing and was able to see the large black eyes I had received from my impact - imagine one half Jackie O. sunglasses, the other half John Lennon's and that's how my face looked.

Turned out that I had pulled an Endo and lost some memory prior to the event, which explains why all I remember was waving at my neighbors. Also, I had fainting and dizziness for several months following that.

Moral of story: Don't try B.

Also, that was back in 1992.

[arielmoon]

I have a dressage horse and I can tell that strengthening my legs has greatly improved my riding and balance.

Sorry I have no advice on the helmet situation.

[wolfak]

Am I just not looking in the right places? With horses, I was able to check out quite a lot of very interesting research into riding accidents and brain injuries; I don't seem to find that sort of thing with bicycles.

A lot of bike accidents where the rider is helmeted, but uninjured are simply not reported. No data often means less conclusive evidence. The materials testing that is done during manufacture, is quite interesting. Generally, they place a helmet on a swinging orb, and smash it against flat and angular (curbed) concrete forms - the description makes me think of the contraptions that are built on MythBusters on Discovery Channel.