Sad helmet incident

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 14:39:03 -0500, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On 1/19/2020 12:02 PM, jbeattie wrote:
On Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 8:38:52 AM UTC-8, Frank Krygowski wrote:
Even on this group, we've
had people who used to say helmets saved lives or prevent brain
injuries. Now they piously say they wear a helmet only to prevent minor
injuries.

But they never ride without it.

. . . because they would prefer to avoid scalp injury, skull fracture, maybe even mitigate concussion. Sounds like a reasonable thing to do. I'm going out in a bit -- wet pavement, poor traction, rough roads. Seems like an appropriate time for a helmet. Why not? Wearing a helmet does not crush my soul, enslave my head, embolden Big Helmet or pose any other existential threat -- at least to me. I also wear gloves for hand protection.

You're allowed to wear it, Jay. You can justify it to yourself however
you like. Ditto the gloves.

Ah but the gloves are a lovely idea. The ones with the towel like
patches on the back especially as they allow one to wipe one's nose
without reaching for a handkerchief.

As an aside, of course one might wipe one's nose with a bare hand but
this leads to sticky hands and the nickname "Snotty".
--
cheers,

John B.

On 1/16/2020 9:05 AM, Radey Shouman wrote:
Girl, 4, died after bike helmet got caught on branch:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-...shire-51139789

She wasn't riding her bike at the time, but, being four years old, she
probably wasn't able to remove her own helmet.

Very sad.

I know that the helmet instructions warn parents to not have the child
wear the helmet when not riding. This needs to be explained to children
that are on their own riding their bikes. The helmet comes off when they
get off the bike.

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute warns about this as well
https://helmets.org/playgrou.htm.

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 09:02:26 -0800 (PST), jbeattie
wrote:

On Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 8:38:52 AM UTC-8, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 1/18/2020 11:21 PM, John B. wrote:
On Sat, 18 Jan 2020 19:07:56 -0800 (PST), Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 8:38:25 PM UTC-5, Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Saturday, 18 January 2020 19:31:22 UTC-5, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Thu, 16 Jan 2020 12:05:06 -0500, Radey Shouman
wrote:

Girl, 4, died after bike helmet got caught on branch:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-...shire-51139789

She wasn't riding her bike at the time, but, being four years old, she
probably wasn't able to remove her own helmet.

Perhaps we should all try a simple experiment. Throw a rope over an
overhead tree branch or roof beam. Attach the other end of the rope
to your bicycle helmet. Take up the rope slack by bending your knees.
No need to lift your feed off the ground as you're likely to strangle
yourself, break your neck, or hyperextend some muscles.

While the chin strap is under tension, try to release the chin strap
clip (also known as a "quick release buckle").
https://www.google.com/search?q=quick+release+buckle&tbm=isch
I just tried it on my (Giro Indicator G151X) helmet, with only a few
kg of tension, and couldn't release the chin strap (quickly or
otherwise). The harpoon shaped clips are designed to hold under
tension.

The buckle on my spare helmet did something unexpected. If I only
pushed one of the two buttons on each side, the quick release would
jam. Squeezing the remaining button did not release the buckle. In
order to release it, I had to push the buckle back together, and then
push BOTH buttons at the same time, in order to convince the buckle to
release. I doubt if a four year old could manage that. My Giro
helmet didn't jam, but did require quite a bit of force to squeeze one
or both buttons to release the buckle.

In my never humble opinion, it would not be difficult to redesign the
common "quick release buckle" so that it would release under tension
or possibly when an added release cord and D-ring is pulled.



--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

The trick would be designing the release so that it stays attached in an accident yet releases if the pressure on it stays beyond a certain time.

I have a friend who was pulled off his MTB whilst riding off-road, when a branch snagged in one of his helmet vent holes. Fortunately, other than being a bit stunned o=upon impact with the trail he was okay.

I wonder how many injuries are caused by a helmet strap not releasing when the helmet is snagged by something? I think it would be filed under "freak accident".

A very good friend of mine was once a rather rabid helmet promoter.
She actually worked in a position where helmet promotion was one of
her main duties. This was back in the early 1990s, not long after the
terribly constructed (or perhaps dishonest) Thompson & Rivara paper
had been published.

She said to me "85%, Frank! 85% benefit! And it's so simple!"

Turns out the benefit is not anywhere close to 85%. And the more you
study the details, the more you realize it's not simple at all.

- Frank Krygowski

I came across something the other day that apparently that referenced
several sources as follows:
https://www.cyclehelmets.org/1012.html

Specific research into fatalities in Sheffield, UK (Kennedy, 1996) has
shown that even if head injuries were eliminated completely, at least
50% of cyclist deaths would still occur. Most fatalities involve
multiple injuries and head injury is not the sole cause of death. The
experience of a solicitor specialising in cyclist injuries (BHRF,
1173) supports the view that deaths solely due to head injury are
unusual.

A study of cyclist crashes in Brisbane, Australia concluded that
helmets would prevent very few fatalities (Corner, Whitney, O'Rourke
and Morgan, 1987). All deaths were caused through collisions between a
bicycle and a motor vehicle. For 13 of the 14 cyclists who died, there
was no indication that a helmet might have made any difference.

In inner London, 58% of cyclist fatalities were caused by collisions
with heavy good vehicles, as were 30% of those in outer London
(Gilbert and McCarthy,1994). The idea that a lightweight polystyrene
helmet could be of significant benefit in such circumstances is
unrealistic...

There are a number of other references in the article, one of which
titled "Cyclist injury data before and after helmet law in Western
Australia" demonstrating that hospital admissions, referenced to the
number of cyclists, actually rose with the advent of the mandantory
helmet law.

There's plenty of data showing that the massive uptake in bike helmets
hasn't caused a detectable reduction in fatalities. That means that that
thousands of people who were promoting helmets as absolutely necessary
life savers were wrong. It also means that the vast majority of the
countless "my helmet saved my life" stories must be wrong. They're not
dishonest; they're just wrong.

There's also data showing that bike helmets haven't reduced cyclist's
traumatic brain injuries. Bicyclist concussions have gone up, way up,
over the last decade just as helmet use continued to rise.

But that hasn't stopped the helmet promotion. Even on this group, we've
had people who used to say helmets saved lives or prevent brain
injuries. Now they piously say they wear a helmet only to prevent minor
injuries.

But they never ride without it.

. . . because they would prefer to avoid scalp injury, skull fracture, maybe even mitigate concussion. Sounds like a reasonable thing to do. I'm going out in a bit -- wet pavement, poor traction, rough roads. Seems like an appropriate time for a helmet. Why not? Wearing a helmet does not crush my soul, enslave my head, embolden Big Helmet or pose any other existential threat -- at least to me. I also wear gloves for hand protection.

-- Jay Beattie.

All true enough which leads to the question of why only a helmet?
After all while wearing gloves reduce the possibility of scratched and
torn hands, a proper jacket would prevent much "road rash" and
possibly broken bones - there is a reason that motorcycle guys wear
heavy leather.

And, it might be noted, that not only are protective helmets available
for bicyclists but armored clothing is also available Why the emphasis
on helmets while ignoring other protective clothing ?

https://www.jensonusa.com/Torso-Armor
https://www.allsportprotection.com/M...Armor_s/38.htm

And, added to the safety of the rider think how much more "macho" one
would look with full body armor and protective helmet.
--
cheers,

John B.

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 11:45:42 -0800, Jeff Liebermann wrote:


Drivel: Not one of the replies to my original topic on bicycle radar
signatures addressed the original topic. At a minimum, I expected
someone to ask about the visibility of a carbon fiber bicycle on 77GHz
radar. My comment about radar reflectors was not a joke. To me, it's
all very disappointing.

Do yu have a design? Since my regular ride incudes front and back racks,
I could easily mount, say a 6' cube to count as two cars.

Knowning a bit more about the algorithm, we might be able to even fool it
into making it thing I'm a big Mack* truck.

*I think it was the Mack that had a reputation for verring out of the
lane a while ago.

On Mon, 20 Jan 2020 05:34:43 +0700, John B. wrote:

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 11:45:42 -0800, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:


Drivel: Not one of the replies to my original topic on bicycle radar
signatures addressed the original topic. At a minimum, I expected
someone to ask about the visibility of a carbon fiber bicycle on 77GHz
radar. My comment about radar reflectors was not a joke. To me, it's
all very disappointing.

As I understand it radar "reflection" is largely a matter of area and
angles - see discussions of radar invisibility - thus the economical
response to not being seen by stop lights, etc. is a large area,
probably of some sort of metal.

If this metal reflector were to e painted with some bright, possibly
reflective, paint it would have a two way effect making the bicycle both
more visible to human and micro frequency frequencies AND in addition it
might be possible to use this reflector as a sail or even as support for
solar panels to aid in generating electrical power for lights,
communication devices and even (gulp) propulsion.

Now you really are trying to take the ****!
To generate enough power for propulsion you'd need to use a quad-cycle to
carry the area of solar panels*.

I'm actually wondering if it would be feasible to 3d print some panels
that you knock together after spraying with silver paint to make your
reflecto cube. You'd only want a large area if you want to be seem from
kilometres way. the rquirement is probably 100-300 yards/meters/metres.

Hmm, for a real hack create/recycle your plastic "wire" laden with metal
shaving.

*not to metion that those panels are not leightweight. The research
places can rabbit on about "spray on panels" but I'll believe that when a
real kit turns on ebat,alibaba, etc.

On 1/19/2020 5:46 PM, news18 wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 11:45:42 -0800, Jeff Liebermann wrote:


Drivel: Not one of the replies to my original topic on bicycle radar
signatures addressed the original topic. At a minimum, I expected
someone to ask about the visibility of a carbon fiber bicycle on 77GHz
radar. My comment about radar reflectors was not a joke. To me, it's
all very disappointing.

Do yu have a design? Since my regular ride incudes front and back racks,
I could easily mount, say a 6' cube to count as two cars.

Knowning a bit more about the algorithm, we might be able to even fool it
into making it thing I'm a big Mack* truck.

*I think it was the Mack that had a reputation for verring out of the
lane a while ago.


I have no idea specifically but radar reflectors are a well
known product:

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/safety/radar-reflectors

I assume some knowledge of the various automobile sensor
systems is needed to adapt a design for bicycles in traffic.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 14:39:03 -0500, Frank Krygowski wrote:


I strongly suspect that most of those people will jump in a car to ride
two blocks to buy a magazine. And indeed, I recall the day when I had
ridden my bike less than half a mile to a store, where a guy I know said
"Where's your helmet??"

The problem for, most people, is when plod asks that question. I only
know of one person who doesn't give a toss as she does it repeatedly and
plod doesn't bother her any more. It is a case of when the sherrif turns
up to take goods to cover her fines, she has no saleable goods. Worse
than street throwouts, so they no longer bother.

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 14:16:46 -0500, Frank Krygowski wrote:

But the most ludicrous example I saw was on a recreational trail we were
riding during a long bike tour. It was a hot summer day, and we came
across a woman wearing a big-brimmed straw hat, probably for sun
protection. On top of the crown of the straw hat was perched her bike
helmet.

She must have thought the magic force field extends a long way.

It is a political statement; the law says you must wear a helmet, so they
weara helmet. Over here, the radiation from the sun can be your biggest
problem, so it make sense to weat a big shady hat.

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 14:44:42 -0800, sms wrote:

On 1/16/2020 9:05 AM, Radey Shouman wrote:
Girl, 4, died after bike helmet got caught on branch:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-...shire-51139789

She wasn't riding her bike at the time, but, being four years old, she
probably wasn't able to remove her own helmet.

Very sad.

I know that the helmet instructions warn parents to not have the child
wear the helmet when not riding. This needs to be explained to children
that are on their own riding their bikes. The helmet comes off when they
get off the bike.

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute warns about this as well
https://helmets.org/playgrou.htm.

Shrug, how much nanny state and helicopter parenting do you want.
If you want the kids to wear helmets, then you let them wear a helmet
when they want to.

The whole problem is greatly exaggerated, especially by click bait media
with the shlock horror reports of iindividual kids dieing. the risk of
strangulation by bicycle helmet is a minor minor chance in their life,
especially when we repeately see kids dieing from incompetent/gross
overworked medical professionals working in corruptly run medical
facilities. Locally we loose more kids from undiagnosed diseases each
year than we do from helmet strangulation in a decade. Actually, I don't
think we've ever had one.

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 23:56:29 -0000 (UTC), news18
wrote:

On Mon, 20 Jan 2020 05:34:43 +0700, John B. wrote:

On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 11:45:42 -0800, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:


Drivel: Not one of the replies to my original topic on bicycle radar
signatures addressed the original topic. At a minimum, I expected
someone to ask about the visibility of a carbon fiber bicycle on 77GHz
radar. My comment about radar reflectors was not a joke. To me, it's
all very disappointing.

As I understand it radar "reflection" is largely a matter of area and
angles - see discussions of radar invisibility - thus the economical
response to not being seen by stop lights, etc. is a large area,
probably of some sort of metal.

If this metal reflector were to e painted with some bright, possibly
reflective, paint it would have a two way effect making the bicycle both
more visible to human and micro frequency frequencies AND in addition it
might be possible to use this reflector as a sail or even as support for
solar panels to aid in generating electrical power for lights,
communication devices and even (gulp) propulsion.

Now you really are trying to take the ****!
To generate enough power for propulsion you'd need to use a quad-cycle to
carry the area of solar panels*.

But why ever not? After all there are pedal powered airplanes. A
combination of wings and solar panels augmentation might even let the
lowly bicycle soar above the traffic thus making radar operated stop
lights redundant :-)
--
cheers,

John B.