Poor helmet may have cost motorcyclist his life

**oneofsix** · 16th April 2013, 08:14

Why you should get an approved helmet.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8553...t-man-his-life

I realise this still to be "proven", as in accepted by the coroner, but it is a bit of an unusual statement from the police. Also interesting that after the usual AA comment they did actually ask some motorcyclist for their comments.

Somewhat flippant question, but does this go down as a bike only crash as the truck wasn't hit?

I hope this doesn't go against the death thread rules but do think there are some important lessons here about helmet and gear choice.

**James Deuce** · 16th April 2013, 08:31

Originally Posted by oneofsix

Somewhat flippant question, but does this go down as a bike only crash as the truck wasn't hit?

Yes. It does.

**oneofsix** · 16th April 2013, 09:24

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Yes. It does.

Kind of highlights an issue with bike crashes doesn't it? Often the rider is able to avoid the other vehicle, whereas a car wouldn't, but the rider is then unable, due to lack of space or forces involved, to avoid the subsequent crash. Whilst the rider wasn't the cause, they, and the rest of us through the stats, suffer the consequences.
Still I can put up with that and a live rider better than the rider dying due to a substandard helmet. Better that he be alive to argue the point. Wonder if he bought it in NZ or online? I would hope they can't sell them in NZ but so often the law seems to allow the sale of substandard stuff and then try to prevent the buyer (or victim of the substandard sale) from using their purchase.

**FJRider** · 16th April 2013, 09:51

Originally Posted by oneofsix

Kind of highlights an issue with bike crashes doesn't it? Often the rider is able to avoid the other vehicle, whereas a car wouldn't, but the rider is then unable, due to lack of space or forces involved, to avoid the subsequent crash. Whilst the rider wasn't the cause, they, and the rest of us through the stats, suffer the consequences.
Still I can put up with that and a live rider better than the rider dying due to a substandard helmet. Better that he be alive to argue the point. Wonder if he bought it in NZ or online? I would hope they can't sell them in NZ but so often the law seems to allow the sale of substandard stuff and then try to prevent the buyer (or victim of the substandard sale) from using their purchase.

At best it is reported as Truck vs Bike. As most Police report as such. ACC seem to report any accident involving a motorcycle ... 4 or two wheels, and on or off the road. Using those methods to base their statistics has been known for some time. The argument against this principal they continue to use will be ongoing in ACC/Motorcyclists protests and discussions.

As far as the safety gear goes ... every accident is different. Some accidents your gear will protect you ... some accidents the gear (ANY gear) will be of no ... (or little) use in the prevention of death or injury.

The old argument of $10 heads in $10 helmets ... could be mentioned here. As does the argument of "let those that ride decide" ... (personal choice and decision making)

**Mom** · 16th April 2013, 10:18

So, the cause of this bikers death was a substandard helmet? How about the truck that pulled out in front of him being a contributing factor?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8553...t-man-his-life

**oneofsix** · 16th April 2013, 10:28

Originally Posted by FJRider

As does the argument of "let those that ride decide" ... (personal choice and decision making)

Only problem I have with that is often the decision is not an informed one, if they are making an informed decision then it is personal choice. Of course then you get to "none so deaf ..." but in that case the information is their they make a choice not to use it. I am more concerned about those that a mis-lead into the wrong choices.

**Robbie_** · 16th April 2013, 10:36

Originally Posted by Mom

So, the cause of this bikers death was a substandard helmet? How about the truck that pulled out in front of him being a contributing factor?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8553...t-man-his-life

Although tragic you're reading the article to how you see it. Re read the article and not the headline, you will see they lay blame on the truck. The aim of the article is to say that he could have SURVIVED if he were wearing a full face safety helmet that met one of several international standards and not one of those little tin hat helmets.
Just goes to show the importance of defensive riding and correct gear folks'..

**superjackal** · 16th April 2013, 10:52

Originally Posted by FJRider

The old argument of $10 heads in $10 helmets ... could be mentioned here. As does the argument of "let those that ride decide" ... (personal choice and decision making)

I wonder about this $10 helmet thing. I have an HJC helmet. As far as I'm aware, at $129 new, it's bottom of the range. I don't feel unsafe in it though. Upgrading my helmet is on my to do list.

**jellywrestler** · 16th April 2013, 10:53

Originally Posted by Mom

So, the cause of this bikers death was a substandard helmet? How about the truck that pulled out in front of him being a contributing factor?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8553...t-man-his-life

according to the article it's because he had a sticker on his helmet!!! that's what killed him

**Matariki** · 16th April 2013, 10:56

A good helmet does wonders, a good driver can prevent death by looking where they're going. I was hit by a mobility van a couple years back, after it failed to give way. I went head first through the side window and my left leg was caught under the bumper. I'm glad to say my head survived (I was wearing a full faced HJC helmet), my leg, well, barely. I'm not the sort of rider that wears shorts and sneakers, but unfortunately I wasn't wearing leg armour at the time. I learnt my lesson and so did the driver who hit me.

But its sad to hear that the rider that was killed didn't, and I personally don't think it was fair to label the article as "Poor helmet may have cost man his life". In my mind it denotes that he was at fault for his own death. Although the article is not specific whether or not the truck driver failed or the motorcyclist failed to pay attention. I think sadly, it might of been the combination of the two.

**oneofsix** · 16th April 2013, 10:58

Originally Posted by gnjackal

I wonder about this $10 helmet thing. I have an HJC helmet. As far as I'm aware, at $129 new, it's bottom of the range. I don't feel unsafe in it though. Upgrading my helmet is on my to do list.

From the HJC on up it is more about comfort and weight and features of course. Being up to the standards is the good start. Check out the Sharp site, sharp.direct.gov.uk, gives you an idea that price isn't always about safety and you can get a safe helmet for little money.

**roogazza** · 16th April 2013, 11:08

Originally Posted by Mom

So, the cause of this bikers death was a substandard helmet? How about the truck that pulled out in front of him being a contributing factor?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8553...t-man-his-life

I get ya Mom, the truck may well be found in time, to have caused this fellow to crash. He would have stood a much better chance by wearing an approved helmet and not his little 'tin' one.
His choice huh ?

**davereid** · 16th April 2013, 11:43

Originally Posted by Mom

So, the cause of this bikers death was a substandard helmet? How about the truck that pulled out in front of him being a contributing factor? http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8553...t-man-his-life

Yes. They tend to do this crap.

All the other bikers that died last year presumably were wearing helmets with the little sticker. But have a head injury without the right helmet, and suddenly everyone knows that he would have been OK if he had the right lid.

Soon it will be "Motor Cyclist at fault as headlight not on, driver couldn't see him"
or

"Failure to wear Hi-Viz causes rider to die when hit by 4WD"

**MIXONE** · 16th April 2013, 11:49

Very misleading headline IMO.My first thought was "WTF what about the truck driver who failed to see him".

**p.dath** · 16th April 2013, 11:49

Originally Posted by gnjackal

I wonder about this $10 helmet thing. I have an HJC helmet. As far as I'm aware, at $129 new, it's bottom of the range. I don't feel unsafe in it though. Upgrading my helmet is on my to do list.

If a helmet is standards approved then it is standards approved. There is no relationship to price.