#261
|
|||
|
|||
Helmet ******s
Tom Kunich wrote in message ... "Steve" wrote in message ... Apparently if a helmet breaks this is an indication that it has moved from plastic deformation to brittle failure, a mode in which it absorbs virtually no energy. So all those cracked helmets which "saved people's lives" actually simply failed! This "conclusion" conveniently ignores the energy expended during the plastic deformation phase prior to the breakup. Maybe you missed the part above where it said "brittle failure, a mode in which it absorbs virtually no energy." If so you will note that breaking a helmet doesn't absorb very much energy. This is a COMMON mode of helmet failure and contrary to your visualization, it doesn't absorb very much energy BEFORE it starts to break up. Actually I noticed that it said "...has moved from plastic deformation to brittle...." so I took it that both phases occured, buthe second brittle phase didn't absorb much energy. Think about this - when a helmet is working under perfect conditions it hardly works at all. Reducing it's ability by 60 or 70 percent sure as hell isn't going to improve matters even when you do mention that it is better than nothing. I used to avoid wearing a helmet, but my intelligence finally overtook my ego. It ain't a matter of ego. I suggest that you're the one exhibiting ego if you think that your choice to wear a helmet is any better, intelligent or more effective than the guy who chooses otherwise. Interesting thought. I suppose ego is what drives people to bother with posting That was my personal feeling about why I started wearing a helmet. That's the whole point here. Maybe there's some small collection of accident types in which helmets offer an effective solution to saving your head from getting knocked around. But there is pretty obviously another spectrum of accidents in which wearing a helmet leads to more accidents, more serious accidents or redirects one type of accident into another type of accident in which a person is injured or killed. The statistics are pretty plain that helmet wearing doesn't change the numbers or severity of head injuries. That's surprising - & interesting - have you got some studies/references we can peruse? ta Steve |
Ads |
#262
|
|||
|
|||
Helmet ******s
"the Baker-Bealls" wrote in message
... Could risk compensation apply to the motorist rather than the cyclist? If a driver sees you wearing a helmet is he/she likely to take greater risks with your safety? It would certainly be a study worth doing. Julia I have certainly read something which supports this. CTC member riding in the US wrote that many drivers gave them more room than helmeted riders, with some taking extreme measures to avoid them. |
#263
|
|||
|
|||
Helmet ******s
Peter Keller wrote:
I love the European idea where, when there is an accident involving a bicyclist and a motorist, negotiations start off from the standpoint that the motorist is at fault. That concept appeals to me, too. But, as evidenced by the concurrent thread "Young cyclist killed," there are many who think otherwise. :-( Perhaps this is one reason why bicycle accident and death rates there are only 1/3 - 1/7 those in NZ (I believe USA has similar accident rates to NZ), despite no compulsion to wear helmets. Yes, that concept certainly should contribute toward pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Unfortunately, in the US anyway, driver convenience seems to come first. -- Frank Krygowski [To reply, omit what's between "at" and "cc"] |
#264
|
|||
|
|||
Helmet ******s
"Steve" wrote in message
... Tom Kunich wrote in message ... The statistics are pretty plain that helmet wearing doesn't change the numbers or severity of head injuries. That's surprising - & interesting - have you got some studies/references we can peruse? http://www.magma.ca/~ocbc/hfaq.html http://www.magma.ca/~ocbc/kunich.html http://www.helmets.org/veloaust.htm http://www.magma.ca/~ocbc/scuffham.html Scuffham is the most important since it was a study done by a group who were pro-helmet and unabashedly say that they intended to find a positive effect for helmet use and instead no matter how they manipulated the data it showed no effects. A later 're-interpretation' using complex mathematical methods claims to have found a very slightly positive effect. That an $2.95 will get you a Latte' at Starbucks. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Helmet lights | Claire Petersky | General | 4 | November 27th 03 12:33 PM |
Reports from Sweden | Garry Jones | General | 17 | October 14th 03 05:23 PM |
Helmet reminder... | RB | General | 24 | September 24th 03 12:00 PM |
Giro Helmet - HAVOC - comfort,? durability? | mark freedman | General | 1 | September 9th 03 02:27 AM |
How I cracked my helmet | Rick Warner | General | 2 | July 12th 03 11:26 AM |