Edwin -- I agree with your suggestions, but not with the "racer" qualification.
Instead of "driving/riding like a racer", I'd say "driving/riding aggressively", or more specifically "driving/riding with a reasonable suspicion of landing on one's head". Racing driving, stunt driving, etc, are reasonable situations to wear a helmet in a car. But there aren't too many more situations because cars have four wheels and are good at staying on them. A notable exception would be winter storms; snow and ice cause plenty of cars on their sides or tops. Most of us simply won't drive in those dangerous situations, and if you've ignored common sense enough to drive in a winter storm, I doubt you'd have the common sense or forethought to wear a helmet. Bicycle riding, however, leaves one much more likely to land on one's head. Bicycles fall over by nature. Even when riding around town, a surprise low-speed accident with a careless auto, bicycle, pedestrian, pothole, or animal could cause you to fall over and bonk your head. Of course, aggressive riding raises the risk, but it doesn't need to be "racing" to be aggressive/high risk behavior. The likelihood of a fall may be very low due to your riding style, safety (lighting/mirrors/reflective), behavior, time of day, and other factors. But it's still a lot more likely than if you were riding a four wheel bicycle that doesn't tip over on its own, and more likely than if you were just walking, showering, shaving, fly fishing, or whatever. At least, that's the reasoning I use to always wear a helmet. High risk = cover your dome. When I flew aircraft in the military I wore a helmet. When I operate my motorcycle, I wear a helmet. When I ride my bike, I wear a helmet. Also, I ride aggressively (aka, "like an enthusiastic clutz"). I don't believe that helmet should be required by law when cycling, because it discourages riding. But, I believe that all riders should be smart enough to wear a helmet. I also believe that organizers of cycling events are correct to require helmet use in order to participate. Tim On Mon, Nov 23, 2015 at 11:38 AM, Edwin W <dweenda...@hotmail.com> wrote: > The way I think about it is this (supported by the article): if you get in > a wreck, a helmet will probably help. > Then I think of these questions: > Do you think wearing a helmet when walking would make you more safe, less > safe, or about the same? > Do you think wearing a helmet when driving (as the pro racers do) make you > more safe, less safe, or about the same? > > Honestly, I think wearing a helmet in all three forms of transportation > would make you (some bit) safer. But would you EVER, REALLY wear a helmet > when driving? Even in the MOST dangerous types of driving (at dusk, in the > rain, on a mountain road/crowded expressway, etc..). No, of course not! > Helmets are not for transportation driving, they are for racing or driving > like a racer. and that is how I think about helmets with biking. If you are > racing or biking like a racer, think about a helmet, like they do. > > The vague suggestions: > If you are biking faster than 30mph, consider a helmet. > If you are biking with drop bars, consider a helmet. > If the cars around you are all close and going faster than 30mph, consider > a helmet. > > Otherwise, it is just like walking and driving - sure it will make you a > bit safer, but you wouldn't ACTUALLY wear a helmet when doing those things! > > All things in moderation, > > Edwin > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
