Newbie don't like helmet

**padre** · 30th September 2006, 23:59

I'd prefer euthanasia to a helmet induced closed head injury. For Gods Sakes don't mention helmet in cars. or before you can say crash a bureaucrat will be finding a way to add more rules to Labours plethora. Can't grow an apple or 2 to sell at the gate without going thru a hell process which has seen many shuffled from the dole over to utterly useless employment.

Will anyone admit they don't wear a helmet on the dark desert highway? Am I the only one? I don't wear seatbelts much either. As its proven (but forgotten by many) that seatbelts do more harm than good in low speed crashes. This was proven to me when a nutbar slammed into me going at (me 40) round 50-60. Girlfriend got bad whiplash - not me, not a problem. Now I have a bad back / neck anyway so I'm not risking whiplash by buckling up in 50 k zones - no way hose. I just grinned queietly when straitlaced ex girlfriend said "lucky we had our seatbelts on". The car was a hefty legnum only a week old - written off 7pm Friday by pissed hoons.

**Pathos** · 1st October 2006, 12:15

I would probably only have half my face left if I didn't spend $200 on a helmet...

would have cost the tax payer thousands in hospital bills.

**Lou Girardin** · 1st October 2006, 14:40

Originally Posted by padre

Will anyone admit they don't wear a helmet on the dark desert highway? Am I the only one? I don't wear seatbelts much either. As its proven (but forgotten by many) that seatbelts do more harm than good in low speed crashes. This was proven to me when a nutbar slammed into me going at (me 40) round 50-60. Girlfriend got bad whiplash - not me, not a problem. Now I have a bad back / neck anyway so I'm not risking whiplash by buckling up in 50 k zones - no way hose. I just grinned queietly when straitlaced ex girlfriend said "lucky we had our seatbelts on". The car was a hefty legnum only a week old - written off 7pm Friday by pissed hoons.

Dear God, I haven't read drivel like this since belts were made compulsory.
You left out the old "if you crash into the water, seat belts will drown you" argument as well.
Tell us, how the hell is a seat belt going to give you whiplash in a rear end collision?

**padre** · 1st October 2006, 15:29

NO - I left out - "and a friend got killed by a seatbelt". It broke his rib pushing it into his liver and causing him to endure massive internal bleeding. If not for the seatbelt he'd be alive NOW

so said the medics. Something is wrong with their basic design which is not reassuring to me.

**Kickaha** · 1st October 2006, 17:04

Originally Posted by davereid

4. Helmet laws are passed only to effect someone else anyway. Thats why you get to wear one on your bike (even though the evidence shows they are useless) but not in your car. (That would be crazy !)

I know from personal experience they save your head

useless?

Originally Posted by davereid

5. Helmets are wank. Most head injuries are closed head.. ie they are caused by the brain rattling around the skull and dont even break the skin. Helmets only help at impacts between 5 and 7 m/s. Cos the head is able to protect itself up to 5 m/s. After 7 m/s the helmet doesn't help. On my bike I usually ride at 30 m/s. hmmm.

Originally Posted by padre

I'd prefer euthanasia to a helmet induced closed head injury.

So would SPman have been better off without a helmet then?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...89&postcount=1

**davereid** · 1st October 2006, 19:10

You think helmets are great. So wear one. Lots of data supports your choice.

I think the evidence suggests that helmets don't help, and may break necks.
Lots of data supports my view too - all quoted in previous posts.

[Actually I fully endorse helmets for gravel rash.... just not hard impacts]

And if they are so great wear one in your car.

Because Automobile accidents account for 45.5% of all head injured patients and are responsible for 37.1% of all fatalities involving head injury. (The Journal of Trauma, 1989)

Ride carefully, treat every road user as a threat, even yourself. Go into that corner expecting a sheep, tractor, or U turning driver to be there. Don't let that helmet, set of leathers and body armour think you are a racer, and invincible.

================================================== ======
Some more thoughts...

Choosing to ride without a helmet may be seen by some as putting yourself in unnecessary danger.

But many would see motorcycling exactly the same way.

About 30 years ago, the TV was full of documentaries about "MurderCycles" calling for the banning of bikes etc etc.

It went away - cos the Jap import arrived, and lots of young drivers went to Subarus, and crashed them instead.

And currently, there are lots of middle aged baby boomers riding bikes. These people have financial clout, political clout, and even include a few politicians. So right now, motorcycles are off the radar. But, they will be back, using safety nazi tactics to take us off the road.

Support the Safety Nazis at your peril, or go to Clive Mathew-Williamsons web site, choose the safest car, and legislate to make it compulsory for everyone.

**Hitcher** · 1st October 2006, 19:29

Originally Posted by padre

Something is wrong with their basic design which is not reassuring to me.

The fact that they've been tested exhaustively by scientists and engineers around the world for 40+ years and have saved tens-of-thousands of lives and many more from serious injury or incapacitation and you're still not "reassured"? I think you should move in with the Exclusive Brethren.

**Edbear** · 1st October 2006, 19:59

Originally Posted by Hitcher

The fact that they've been tested exhaustively by scientists and engineers around the world for 40+ years and have saved tens-of-thousands of lives and many more from serious injury or incapacitation and you're still not "reassured"? I think you should move in with the Exclusive Brethren.

"You must spread...!" Mutter, mutter...!

**mooks** · 5th October 2006, 15:57

I rode in the States without a helmet for about - uhm - 2 miles - scared the bejesus out of me ....... felt more naked than a streaker in a test match. I copped some flack from some of the American riders because of it, but I didn't mind so much.
Still have a vivid recollection of seeing a woman come off her bike in Melbourne with an open face helmet and hitting the tram tracks with her chin .... no 10 day makeover for that poor woman....sheesh ... wear a helmet .... its a no-brainer....

**padre** · 5th October 2006, 23:38

Kickaha. SPMans pictures sure are thought provoking. But the thing is, this is a newbie thread so I'm sure its safe once more experience get under belt? Nothing wrong with a good blow dry. Like every life and death decision its situational. So - when did they bring helmets in?

**Kickaha** · 6th October 2006, 05:49

Originally Posted by padre

this is a newbie thread so I'm sure its safe once more experience get under belt?

Ask SPman how long he's been riding for then and see if the amount of experience he has would see him classed as a newbie

**crazybigal** · 6th October 2006, 13:06

dude i got no problem with you not wearing a helmet but dont expect us to pay your hospital bills!

**padre** · 6th October 2006, 13:51

The girl near killed by road rash on another thread said that her helmet caused the accident. Visor open - oversized helmet, wind caught it and force of wind tugging at her helmet was what dragged her off the back of the bike. Yes she lacked lethers - in a bikini or what have you but the helmet was the real problem in that instance.

**Paul in NZ** · 6th October 2006, 14:00

Originally Posted by padre

The girl near killed by road rash on another thread said that her helmet caused the accident. Visor open - oversized helmet, wind caught it and force of wind tugging at her helmet was what dragged her off the back of the bike. Yes she lacked lethers - in a bikini or what have you but the helmet was the real problem in that instance.

Hey - if you want to ride with no helmet, knock yourself out. (boom tish)

Paul N

What colour is your bike? I know it's unlikely but I'm just asking so I can avoid meeting you - I've been to a lot of funerals and don't intend to go to anyone elses and it's easier if you don't know the person.