Cycling Safety

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gadgetman, Jun 23, 7:24pm

I saw one of those worn and cracked helmets attached to a bike behind a supermarket in Cairns. I took the law into my own hands and while nobody was around I shattered the helmet in small pieces so the owner could not possibly glue it back together. The replacement must have been better I hope.

triangle1, Jun 23, 7:26pm

Yes they have saddles and you sit upright like on a bike. It is good not to have to put your foot down at stop signs or traffic lights. Yours sounds great and I know the one I tested was great. I could happily have ridden to Auckland given enough time. I have had my hips replaced so comfort is a high priority but anyway cycling is the best exercise for me as there is no impact.

gadgetman, Jun 23, 7:31pm

I am happy to wear a helmet even it is not compulsory for tricycles. Just like wearing a seatbelt. Feel naked without one.
Many women do not like wearing helmet as it messes up their hair.

triangle1, Jun 23, 7:46pm

Yes you can understand that if they have paid $200 or more for a hair do. Also since they mostly have longer hair than us males they are more protected if they hit the deck.lol. Alas for me that is not the case. My hairline recedes at a steady pace.

triangle1, Jun 23, 7:47pm

Damn gadgetman.if he fell off and got killed you could have been had up for murder!

gadgetman, Jun 25, 5:39pm

No, I prevented him becoming a tetraplegic. That helmet already had a big crack on it and it was just a white polystyrene shell. Next time you see one of those useless polystyrene shells without the plastic skin, you could save a life by destroying it before some poor stupid person wears it in the traffic.
I have been to recycling centers where they sell second hand helmets. Nobody should buy a second hand helmet!

gadgetman, Jun 25, 5:51pm

I demonstrated the recycling center staff why the helmet without the original outer cover does not work. I just held the helmet with my hand and dragged it against the tarmac outside. Polystyrene sticks the ground and if someone had their headin it they would break their neck!

After that demo the recycling center boss took all the bad helmets and destroyed them useless. Is it worth saving a few dollars to risk a lifetime in the wheelchair!

peja, Jun 25, 7:51pm

I can personally vouch for the effectiveness of cycle helmets, having gone into a car windscreen wearing one a few years ago. I sustained some minor injuries, none to the head, and there was a big helmet shaped hole left in the screen.

I'm guessing that had I not been wearing the helmet I wouldnt be sitting here typing this

peja, Jun 25, 7:54pm

As for cycling safety, as both a cyclist and driver it amazes me how many people I see riding around at night with no lights, wearing dark clothes and no helmet. Crazy. But then again, it also amazes me that there are people driving that cannot see me even with all my lights running - all 14 of them.People who are functionally blind should not drive.

gadgetman, Jun 29, 3:12pm

Lot of car drivers drive with parking lights on. Not very bright!
Looks like there are lot of stupid people on the road in NZ!

trogedon, Jun 29, 3:47pm

Most people here with a bicycle or motorcycle or race car have a secondhand helmet - just take it out of the shop and its secondhand. The real issue is has it sustained damage and what damage has it sustained. I came off and hit my helmet on the road 2 years ago. It wasn??

peanuts, Nov 29, 5:57pm

What a load of cods wallop!My husband and I are both road and mountain bike cyclists. We have both had major crashes which were not by our own doing. (ie some other person caused them) We would not consider riding without our helmets whether the law or not. My husbands life was saved by his one. Would love to know the medical reason! Maybe too bigger a head!
I am not against helmets just the mandatory aspect. I have a medical exemption but also feel they are not fit for the purpose. All cycle fatalities over the last few years have been wearing helmets. Many fatalities are at low speed and the helmets should have saved lives but did not. 1 man hit a dog at low speed, went over the bars and died of head injuries and he had a helmet. I do my best to ensure I dont fall off, I obey the road rules and if necessary give way to everyone. I feel safe cycling but am aware of my vulnerability. the helmet law regrettably has killed commuter cycling and this occurred for a variety of reasons. I have been commuter cycling for 50 years and never had a problem apart from the odd jack ass motorist but this is very seldom.[/quote]

trogedon, Nov 29, 8:03pm

Don??

horsepower7, Nov 29, 8:24pm

i always see cyclists riding on the wrong side of the white line, do they want to get hit or something, there was just about an accident because they didnt look behind them to see that they were holding up 5 + cars. pretty unfair because the driver of the car will be the one who gets blamed. i get fustrated because some do not look out for cars and its as if they dont think anyone else shares the road with them! although today i was happy when a cyclist moved right over so i could get past, thanks! ;-)

trogedon, Nov 29, 8:35pm

Sometimes the outside (left) of the white line is non existent or a mess (read punctures etc) and you may not see that travelling fast in a car.

peanuts, Nov 30, 5:57pm

johnf_456, Jun 12, 7:59am

Indeed that and please also keep off twisty windy westy roads when the road is barely wide enough full stop.

johnf_456, Jun 12, 10:54am

Speed is not the issue its the fact of safely passing them on a narrow road! Ie giving the cyclist ample safe space when the road can not allow 1.5 m safely wirhout risking a head on. Trucks go much faster than bikes around these roads.

johnf_456, Jun 14, 8:11pm

Really so on that theory its ok for us to pay multiple times over when many blokes here including myself have multiple cars, bikes, trailers whatever and we all pay over and over. Is that fair!

johnf_456, Jun 15, 10:38am

Yup make them pay

johnf_456, Jun 21, 9:43pm

Sure you will think that when you're head splats on it, not to mention the acc bill we all pay for.

johnf_456, Jun 21, 10:05pm

I mean we all pay more for you in acc because you will get a brain injury if not death.

johnf_456, Jun 21, 10:15pm

And if you get survive but get half brain dead in the process and need rehab!

johnf_456, Jun 21, 10:21pm

They are better than nothing right, yes nothing will save you. But some protection against that delicate brain is better than nothing, depends on the crash. Even a car with 12 airbags will not save everyone.

johnf_456, Jun 23, 6:10pm

Totally, motorcyclist pay so why not.

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