Wot! No lids?!

[Audax67]

I reckon most of the aggro comes from the idea that some misguided governmental fool might impose the wearing of helmets. That would indeed be a tragedy, but it's no reason to denigrate the poor wee innocent darlings, which are only trying to help.

ETA it shuts busybodies up, too.

Helmet promotion and compulsion allow the busybodies to claim that they are doing something about cyclist casualties without addressing the real source of road danger. The countries where helmet wearing is most common or obligatory are all much more dangerous than GB, and the lids did not change that.

To be honest, here in the land of reason we aren't cursed with that many busybodies and nobody I know makes any noise about wearing a helmet or not.

[Mike Sales]

To be honest, here in the land of reason we aren't cursed with that many busybodies and nobody I know makes any noise about wearing a helmet or not.

When I rode in France it took me some time to appreciate that the hooting did not carry the same message as at home.

[atoz]

I reckon most of the aggro comes from the idea that some misguided governmental fool might impose the wearing of helmets. That would indeed be a tragedy, but it's no reason to denigrate the poor wee innocent darlings, which are only trying to help.

ETA it shuts busybodies up, too.

Helmet promotion and compulsion allow the busybodies to claim that they are doing something about cyclist casualties without addressing the real source of road danger. The countries where helmet wearing is most common or obligatory are all much more dangerous than GB, and the lids did not change that.

To be honest, here in the land of reason we aren't cursed with that many busybodies and nobody I know makes any noise about wearing a helmet or not.

In my experience reason doesn't figure much. It's like politics, in my opinion- based on emotion and not logic

[mjr]

My lid is just plain useful: it acts as a mount for a head torch without the pother of an elastic band round my head,

Ah, is that the cycling equivalent of the spike in the steering wheel aimed at the driver's heart: the head torch aimed at the cyclist's brain?

[Audax67]

My lid is just plain useful: it acts as a mount for a head torch without the pother of an elastic band round my head,

Ah, is that the cycling equivalent of the spike in the steering wheel aimed at the driver's heart: the head torch aimed at the cyclist's brain?

Less dangerous for brains than TikTok. Or a head torch on a strap, probably. Anyway it's time for lunch.

[jimlews]

IMHO,
glasses/eye shields are much more effective as a safety aid than a helmet.
A bug strike in the eye can be extremely upsetting.
But nowhere AFAIA are they compulsory.

[mattheus]

...

To be honest, here in the land of reason we aren't cursed with that many busybodies and nobody I know makes any noise about wearing a helmet or not.

So how do you marry that up with one of the auhtorities on the PBP route requiring riders to wear helmets this year? (for the first time in over 50 years!)

(Not that I did - apart from the first 20km. And several other Brits didn't. None of the event officials hassled me, but nevertheless SOMEONE in authorty en route insisted on this nonsense.)

[Blondie]

At least you can eat chocolate tea pots…

[K1566]

I wear one if I'm out on my road bike for a ride but not if pootling up to the local shop same as I don't don lycra for that trip.
Currently its a matter of choice but it may weaken any insurance claim if injured and not wearing one. Insurance companies will weedle out of any claim if they think they can.
I've also seen the aftermath of serious crashes where a helmet prevented the riders head from being seriously injured it was sobering.and even falling iff at low speed and banging your head bloody hurts.
I have to wear one on my motorcycle so for me it's no big deal

[Mike Sales]

[mattheus]

boardman sans lid.jpg

THEY'RE ALL GOING TO DIE !!!

[slowster]

it may weaken any insurance claim if injured and not wearing one

Moderator note - General assertions and comments on the subject of helmets and contributory negligence may not be particularly informative and may be potentially misleading if they fail to reflect comprehensively and accurately the law as it is currently generally understood and applied, including the extent of uncertainty, as well as the difficulties a defendant's insurers will face in seeking to reduce damages on the grounds of contributory negligence.

The other posts in this thread on the subject of contributory negligence have therefore been removed and I have started a separate new thread* for the discussion of the issue of helmets and contributory negligence, with some links to what appear to me to be some of the best/most comprehensive current legal opinions and commentary that I have been able to find by some relatively quick searching.

Put simply, I am hoping we can have a better and more informative discussion about this subject by having a separate thread.

* viewtopic.php?t=158248

[pjclinch]

boardman sans lid.jpg

THEY'RE ALL GOING TO DIE !!!

But at least Dame Sarah Story will die with dry feet!

[Airsporter1st]

Currently in The Netherlands at the moment, there seems to be more people wearing helmets since the last time I was here in 2018

Might that simply be down to an increased level of awareness on your part? (e.g. I was never really aware of Skoda Yetis before I bought one and now I see them everywhere.)

[Toffee]

Currently in The Netherlands at the moment, there seems to be more people wearing helmets since the last time I was here in 2018

Might that simply be down to an increased level of awareness on your part? (e.g. I was never really aware of Skoda Yetis before I bought one and now I see them everywhere.)

No been there quite a few time over the years. Just more people wearing helmets. Some are older people on ebikes, which weren't around 10 years ago.

By far the majority of people don't wear helmets though.