Risky Business?

[Roy Green]

French ponces.

[Will]

Each to their own I suppose... I guess it's the case that those with strong opinions will have a reason for their position - i.e. ardent helmet wearers will perhaps do so because they have either directly or indirectly experienced difficulties through not wearing a helmet; and of course those for whom fashion is particularly important will have equally vocal views on not wearing one!

The science doesn't really seem to be clear cut although dramatic events do focus the mind. I remember my early days of watching the TdF and seeing the stage were Fabio Casertelli fell. While the jury is out as to whether a helmet would have saved his life it is those sorts of incidents that make you think more seriously about the merits of wearing helmets...

[Mike I]

[quote]in Paris last year, 53% of those who died or were injured on Paris streets were motorcyclists, 22% pedestrians, drivers of four-wheeled vehicles 18% and cyclists only 7%

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I haven't got the source to hand, but these sort of statistics are regularly trotted out to support whichever point of view, and the one I remember particularly is that

"in the UK, more motorists are admitted to hospitals with head injuries than cyclists"

Whatever the fors and against, let's at least retain the right to make our own choice.

[-Adam-]

Exactly, anti-compulsion.

As most of you know my helmet wearing logic is non-existent. Most of the time in the summer I wear one, but then in the winter a hat is much more useful in my opinion. And I often roll about at the start/finish of races without a helmet.

When I was hit by a van in February I wasn't wearing one, and low and behold I didn't have a scratch above my waist.

Then this morning, Chloe was hit by a car on the way to work, wearing a helmet, and the helmet is no more. I must point out that she is ok! Just understandably a little shaken, her bike apparently suffered a similar fate to mine however... forks snapped etc. So they'll be no more pink Trek's on the CR! Anyhow, the helmet obviously prevented more serious injury, but there you go.

Like Paul says, the right to choose for yourself is whats important.

P.s I can't see Parisens taking to the high vis rule to well, particularly the so called 'Velíbbers', like myself who obviously won't neccesarily have packed their high vis en route to Paris!

[Andrew G]

Glad you're okay Chloe (first crash is always a bit of a shock to the system), hope you are back on a bike soon.

(Weak forks these Treks )

[-Adam-]

Don't think it makes any difference Andrew, it was my Giant that bit the dust!

[Sylv]

[quote="Roy Green"]French ponces.

[Michelle]

Hmmm, wondering how you know this Adam, did you wave her goodbye this morning from the doorstep?????

I am very sorry to hear of the demise of the Pink Pony (and Trek). Next time she should maybe get one of these...
[url]http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/2008/road/[/url]

Shame about plans for the weekend though........

[Andrew G]

[quote="-Adam-"]Don't think it makes any difference Andrew, it was my Giant that bit the dust!