Is a helmet actually necessary?

[vifferman]

Early examples of helmets were bloody horrible to wear, horrible to look at and even more horrible to procure!

Even later ones weren't too good.
My first helmets (2X open-face helmets that came with the bike I bought) didn't fit properly, the visors were made of a material that wasn't scratch resistant, and the shells seemed to be made of something akin to compressed cardboard. The liners were some sort of corduroy material, with thin padding underneath. No EPS foam with thicker plastic foam over the top.
AND they were relatively expensive: my first 'decent' helmet (still open-face) was nearly a third the cost of my bike! The only fullface helmets were very expensive Bells, or Shoeis that were nearly as dear, and intended for car use, so there was debate about whether they were actually suitable for bikes, being rather heavy and restrictive. No helmets had venting - you had to open or remove the visor to get that!
There was also much debate and minor controversy (engendered or even engineered by Bell) about the safety of the first injection-moulded helmets ("Polstar" was the most common brand here). Nowadays such helmets are commonplace, and score very highly on safety tests. But in the 70's, Bell was threatened by rivals with manufacturing techniques that were cheaper and quicker, so dreamed up slogans like "Buy a $50 helmet if you have a $50 head", because their hand-laid GRP helmets were labour-intensive to produce, and correspondingly expensive to buy.

We're fortunate nowadays to have a huge range and variety of helmets to choose from, many at relatively cheap prices, yet vastly superior to those of yesteryear.

[Badjelly]

Indeed, a quick google search and these are the first two links (plus another further down the page). They appear to be in complete opposition of Popelli's statement, and indicate deaths rose with a decline in helmet usage.

They're no good. They're peer reviewed studies. Everyone knows that papers that don't follow the liberal, commie, safety Nazi line get suppressed. You can get the real facts on right-wing blogs and newspaper opinion pieces.

[want-a-harley]

I remember in the UK studies were done, remember details of who did them(tfl maybe) but bicyclists were more likely to be hit if they wore a helmet than those who didn't because motorists saw the helmet (and lycra), assume the rider is more experienced and drive closer, pass more readily etc.

In a similar study, motorcycle helmets dehumanise the wearer (as you can't see theface/look like an alien) so subconciously cagers take less care/ more likely to pass/race etc

[Badjelly]

I remember in the UK studies were done, remember details of who did them(tfl maybe) but bicyclists were more likely to be hit if they wore a helmet than those who didn't because motorists saw the helmet (and lycra), assume the rider is more experienced and drive closer, pass more readily etc.

I've worn a helmet on a bicycle for years, since long before it was compulsory, and I always tended to dismiss this, but I have seen some stuff that has made me a little more open-minded. James Annan, whose opinions I tend to respect, has a bit of a bee in his bonnet about it. Eg this.

In a similar study, motorcycle helmets dehumanise the wearer (as you can't see theface/look like an alien) so subconciously cagers take less care/ more likely to pass/race etc.

I'm sure helmets (esp. full face) do tend to make motorcyclists look more like aliens. Whether the net effect on the motorcyclist safety is positive or negative I wouldn't know.

[davereid]

Helmets give you good protection in an abrasive accident, but in impact type accidents they are marginal or may even increase your injury.

Heres the NZ data - Without googling it, guess what year we got helmets.

If you are unable to tell, before you google "helmet injury" google "spinal injury". You may find it easier to identify the year that way.

With regard to Cycle helmets, the biggest study in the world (The NZ Scuffam Report) concluded helmets were a waste of time and money.

[Lil_Byte]

We don't need helmets - natural selection will sort it all out.

I do however remember sliding along the rough chip bitumen at 100kmh with the front of my helmet firmly planted on the bitumen, thinking god the road is black.

My helmet was stuffed but I still have my face

[Pedrostt500]

There is a pic on rotten.com of a Biker missing the lower half his face yep every thing below the nostrils, I think of this image when I see some one with no helmet or an open face helmet.
may be one of the smart ones can put a link to it for us.

[oldrider]

Forget global warming, think global "hardening"!

Last time I fell off it bloody hurt! John.

[Ixion]

I've noticed that! I'm sure the ground has gotten harder than it used to be .

I'm also certain that gravity has gotten stronger, I'm sure that when I fell off years ago, I didn't hit the ground as hard as I do now.

I blame the French. Or that Hadron collider thing, it's changed the dynamics of space time.

[The Pastor]

ffs i ride with out a helmet heaps.

go grow some nuts.

[98tls]

ffs i ride with out a helmet heaps.

go grow some nuts.

Yea but you guys have been together for years so no danger.

[portokiwi]

After hitting a truck the road and tree with my helmet and all I got from it was knocked out......... I think yes they are. I realy think I would have been killed if I wasnt wearing one at the time of the accident.
Seeing the dent in the truck and the scrapes in the path I am very thankfull that I came out ok.

[STOLLI R1]

I feel sad when I see people with open face helmets, typical of cruiser riders. I knew of a person who was rather southern and a bit pissed got on his cruiser and procceded to fall down while travelling at approx 80kmh. He had chosen to not wear any helmet at all. He didn't die, he survived the crash. His key problem now is telling the tale of how it happened and eating. He had succeeded in grinding his lower jaw and most of his nose off.
I see open face helmets in this same light. They create a natural second point of contact (your face) with the road you are sliding down. I'm sure if ya think about it for a second you'll see what I mean.
Full face or stay home.

[cs363]

Just leave it be. I say we take all the restrictions off, take the warning labels off everything, and let the problem sort itself out.

Call whoever's in charge. There's a sensible person posting on KB!

[malfunconz]

it would be agreed ammounst all i know that there is little reason to protect the small thimble of grey matter left in my head .