One for our cyclists

[HeyWayne]

I have a large head (cue sniggers), and found it difficult in the past to find a helmet that fits. The one I have (Specialised) just about fits, but doesn't "fit" properly - it sits making contact with only the front and back of my head, not "all round" as advised.

However, when I used to cycle quite a lot I used to mainly go out on the country bridle paths and single track, only occasionally venturing into the roads.

On one particular occasion I was flying along a little single track at a rate of knots when I noticed a low branch up ahead just in time to duck.

Unfortunately I didn't duck quite far enough.

Now you could argue that without the helmet on I would have ducked far enough, but looking at the helmet afterwards I'm glad I was wearing it at the time - I think at the very least I would have taken a decent sized chunk out of my head.

[Alison]

Agree with what's being said about helmets as I've seen the stats about wearing them also. They also show that, for some reason, drivers give a wider berth around riders who aren't wearing full kit rather than 2mm to the right as so often happens. I know what Wayne is saying and it can be true on bridle paths / forest routes etc but not very likely on the road. I tend to wear a helmet off road but not on. By the way, I once got a branch caught in my helmet as I went under a tree, took a fall for that one and it wasn't big enough to have done my head much damage. Not sure what this has to do with Duffy though!

[Two_Sheds]

I have got my bike helmet on right now, and I tell you it won't stay on for much longer.

Properly fitted, it has to be on tight. Of course, if it's tight, it is also uncomfortable.
The chin strap is hurting my throat, the clips are digging in every time I swallow.
It pulls my hair every time I put it on or take it off.
It's full of vents, but even so, it is hot and giving me a headache already (been on for 5 mins now).

I also look like a mushroom.

I could put up with all of the above if it was going to save me, but it won't. It won't stop a driver ploughing into me.
If I headbutt the pavement at 30mph or more, my head will still break. These things only protect you in a small fall, such as those suffered by little children falling off their bike. They are incapable of saving you in a real accident with real traffic.

It is there purely and simply so that next time I get hit, the judge/driver/insurers can't say "she was asking for it, she wasn't wearing a helmet".

[bobleponge]

*sniggers at image of Two Sheds typing furiously whilst wearing bike helmet*

Being an old fuddy duddy about such things, even if thats the only reason you wear one TS, I will sleep happier in my bed knowing you are wearing it.
I simply refuse (no matter what statistics are quoted) to believe that you are safer on a bike without a helmet on.

[Two_Sheds]

for some reason, drivers give a wider berth around riders who aren't wearing full kit

It's been shown that drivers give more room to cyclists who aren't wearing safety gear.
"most" people, inc.drivers, think that helmets give full protection, so therefore you don't need to be so very considerate because you can't hurt a cyclist in a helmet (wrong).

As to clothes: when I ride long distance, I wear lycra for comfort. Drivers hate lycra, and drive at you (even, and especially, on nice wide clear roads where nobody else can see them attacking us). It's true ... look at some of the footage on youtube.

Incidentally, I was chased and honked y'day by a silly girl in a hatchback - because she had stopped in a bike lane and I told her so (politely ... very politely).

When I am pootling to the shops I wear normal girl clothes, which flap - the flapping must catch the eye of drivers, because they give me slightly more room.

I also get more room if I ride a bit wobbly, like I'm not in full control.

When I get my bike back, I am going to put a big flag on the back, and two on the front. I just about have space with the 2 lights (which drivers don't see) and the bell & horn (which pedestrians don't hear).

[Two_Sheds]

This thing is hurting my head so much, it's coming off now.

I've just had a brainwave ... make it compulsory for drivers to wear them (they get more head injuries than cyclists do anyway). If you had to do this every time you used your car, you wouldn't.

Congestion & pollution solved in an instant.

[Pumpkin Becki]

When I get my bike back, I am going to put a big flag on the back, and two on the front. I just about have space with the 2 lights (which drivers don't see) and the bell & horn (which pedestrians don't hear).

I think you should add some of those sparkly streamer things to your handle bars like little girls have too - it all helps

[Matt.]

I'm a cyclist and I definitely wear a helmet. For me wearing one is akin to wearing a seatbelt in a car. Sure it won't save you in the big crash but I like to think it might do in a smaller accident say a front tyre blowout at 20 mph. I don't buy it that drivers will consider you differently with or without a helmet - the same mindless ones will treat you the same regardless. I certainly don't feel invincible with one and all the rest that goes with the no-helmet statistics.

But each to their own and if you don't want to wear one thats your choice. Just take care and remember for all your rights as a cyclist you're still very vunerable and exposed relative to most other road users.

[Two_Sheds]

remember for all your rights as a cyclist you're still very vunerable and exposed relative to most other road users.

I am more aware than most of my vulnerability on the road. Cycling isn't actually dangerous ... the only times I've fallen off through my own stupidity has been when I've forgotten I was wearing toe clips. Another time I hit some black ice. That's in 25 years of daily cycling.

In most crashes, the driver of the car is to blame. For not looking properly, usually, or for misjudging speed and distance.

However, they aren't punished, or required to re-sit a test (I think anyone involved in a crash should have to re-sit their test).
The onus should be on making drivers more careful, not on covering me in so much protective gear and flashing lights that I can be seen by passing satellites.

[HeyWayne]

Sorry Two_Sheds, I'm getting a little tired of the "all motorists are mindless criminals out to hunt down and take out cyclists" attitude.

I appreciate that you had an accident and that the driver in question was at fault and probably shouldn't have been driving, but please stop labelling all drivers as idiots.

I give cyclists a wide birth, make sure I look out for them in my mirrors and at junctions (as I do for motorcyclists), make sure I don't sit up their backsides before overtaking etc.

Drivers aren't all bad - the same way that the various idiots I see cycling each and every day on pavements, across pedestrian crossings, going through red lights etc etc don't make all cyclists maverick scum.

yes there are idiots out there who get behind the wheel of a car, truck, bus etc, but there are idiots in all walks of life.

[Alison]

The worst day I had on my bike was the day the passenger in a van saw fit to spit on me as they drove past. Tried to catch them up in a traffic jam but sadly the lights changed and they drove off but then again, maybe that's for the best!