Abstract A cracked helmet is a helmet that has failed. It is more likely to be an indication of an accident that wouldn’t have happened without the helmet, than “proof” the helmet saved your life. Many people look at a cracked or broken helmet and believe it is “proof” it saved their life. Actually, it [...]
Archive for the ‘Myths’ Category
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The myth that bicycle helmets protect against brain injury
October 3rd, 2012 
admin Abstract Severe brain injury is caused by rotational acceleration (the head turning quickly). Bicycle helmets cannot protect against it, and are known to amplify rotational acceleration to levels causing permanent disability. Helmets should not be misrepresented as preventing permanent disability when they are more likely to cause it. blank What surgeons say There is a [...]
My helmet saved my life!
May 5th, 2012 admin Abstract Despite many emotional claims that “my helmet saved my life”, the risk of death & serious injury increased after the helmet law. The risk of accident almost doubled, but the protection provided by helmets did not compensate for the rise in accidents. What the data tells us The claim that “my helmet saved [...]
Do helmets really protect racing cyclists?
January 26th, 2012 admin Most sport cyclists wear a helmet as it is “obvious” that it protects them. Does it really protect? Since helmets have been made mandatory, deaths of professional cyclists while racing have doubled: “The helmet rule for professional cyclists was brought by the UCI in 2003 following the death of Andrei Kivlev during the Paris-Nice race. Since then [...]
Are bicycle helmets dangerous?
December 12th, 2011 admin Abstract Bicycle helmets can mitigate minor skull injuries like bruises and lacerations at low speeds. Contrary to popular belief, helmets do not protect against brain injury. On the other hand, helmets tend to: increase the risk of accidents increase the risk of the head hitting the road increase the risk of neck injury increase the risk [...]
Has the helmet law improved safety?
December 7th, 2011 admin Abstract After the helmet law, the number of child cyclists killed or seriously injured dropped. This drop cannot be credited to helmets though, as the number of cyclists dropped further: the risk per cyclist increased. The helmet law was introduced at the same time as other road safety measures including a crackdown on speeding and [...]
