Would you wear a lid if it wasn't compulsory?

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

I've quite enjoyed pootling around in my shorts and t-shirt on the bike recently. It definitely beats sitting baking clad head to toe in bike gear but then I've only really been on urban roads.

It got me thinking whether or not I'd wear a lid or not if I didn't have to. I think I would as the black visor definitely helps me perv at the scantily clad women that are around.

Would you wear a lid if you didn't have to?

N cee thirty · Banned Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Karma :

i would,as when going over about 40 my eyes start to water and stick to my face D:
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Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Yup but probably to keep the bugs and crap out of my face more than anything else. Just riding around with the visor open a crack I eat a ton of bugs.
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silky666 · Captain Rulebook Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Karma :

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Not all the time, at least.
I mean, its a rediculouse law.
As a qualified driver / rider, I should be able to make assessements of risk like whether to pull out infornt of a 40 ton artc, or whether its safe to do 70 on a wet twisty road etc etc etc/
so WHY am I so completely stupid and incompetent as to NOT be able to work out for myself where and when a hat would or wouldn't be apropriate?
I mean, nipping to the shops, all 20 & 30mph limits... why do I need a hat?
Kids on BMX's are going faster than me and taking more chances, but law doesn't tell THEM they have to wear a helmet, does it?!
So its NOT always apropriate, and on a hot day, round town?
NOT sweating and percolating a migreane in a hat, MIGHT actually make me more comfortable, more aware and a safer rider who doesn't NEED a helmet, as at the end of the day, they only 'work' if you crash, dont they?
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willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

www.ridetodie.com

I shall prob get karma raped but really does anyone go out thinking hmmm I'm going to crash today so I'll wear my protective gear - would be easier but no. I agree it must be lovely to ride in t shirt and shorts with no helmet but the buzz of that against the potential injuries coming off at even slow speeds dictates that the protective gear is the way to go (for me anyway).

I cringe everytime I see a biker or even a ped boi without gloves, or in a t shirt or shorts. There's enough gear available, there must be something that's comfortable in this weather.

(I removed my Darwin's law comment as with hindsight I thought it was a bit "wrong")

m0l0t0v · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Karma :

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Wearing a helmet in thailand is very very optional. I tried it without just to go round to the shop and stuff and it was great fun. You suddenly feel like you have infinite head room, rather than like a tall guy in a small car with his head pressed up against the roof the whole time.

As others have said, wind protection is very nice with a full face helmet and you never know what might happen...

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

For bimbling around town I'd happily forego a lid, but any prolonged 40+ riding I'd want one.
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cyberglass · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Mord · Nearly there... Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Karma :

In short YES

I wear a helmet when I ride bicycle.

Louise · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 May 2006 Karma :

I would. Somewhat brings comfort to me Laughing

Recently twated my head badly at work - which hurt like a Biatch at 0mph.. Imagin that going 30 Confused

Dazbo666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Karma :

I'd probably go without a lid, but with glasses or eye protection for short trips. No more than ~30mph (probably equivalent to cycling speeds). Anything more than that would need to use the lid.
Any dual carriageway or motorway etc needs full kit IMO

[edit : for the record I've had a potentially serious "off" some years ago when riding offroad on a mountainbike, and I'm fully aware that a helmet saved me from serious injury. However, I was riding a severe downhill section, and I was fully prepared for it.]

As for Silkys recent experience, I've been riding since 2005 and never had the eye candy opportunity like that Mr. Green

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rob_scott92 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Karma :

I would still wear a lid if it wasnt the law. For a few reasons really, the major being bugs etc (Had a massive moth hit my visor last night, looked like a had a really snotty sneeze but on the outside Laughing

) But also, like robyarr, my right eye gets incredibly watery even just at walking speed so i'd be pretty screwed on a motorbike Laughing

Plus you never know when you might have a little spill and wish you had your lid on Hurt

Same goes for wearing gear aswell i suppose, i've kinda got used to wearing it now so it doesn't bother me. We very rarely get hot weather anyway Rolling Eyes

Rob

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cyberglass · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Karma :

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

I last rode without a helmet on a Greek island 3 years ago, to be honest I never ever thought about it. The woman in the hire shop asked if I wanted a helmet and I said 'no', well at 35kph on a 50cc moped around town I wasn't overly concerned.

I also rode my wife's cousin's 125cc in the mountains around his home, afterwards I thought it a little foolish, not because of the speeds but because of the terrain.

Here in the UK where the law is enforced we don't have a choice, but if we did then I probably would for most journeys.

As I mostly use my bike for my 40 mile motorway commute, and visiting bike riding friends it seems the appropriate choice, for a 5 minute journey to the shops, I'd still walk.
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nasty · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Karma :

Always would wear my lid as it protects my very delicate skull from being caved in if I come off the bike for any reason Rolling Eyes

Wear all my gear all of the time but in really warm weather the armoured pants sometimes get ditched for jeans....

You never know what's around the corner, personally I would rather be safe than sorry Thumbs Up

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FURBAR · Banned Joined: 04 Apr 2010 Karma :

One of the tour de france riders was in a coma / brain damged etc falling of a ped abroad .. no lid ... Question

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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Nai · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Karma :

Yes, coming of a push bike at 30 nearly killed me when some bugger flung a door open on me at the exact moment a bus pulled the dodgiest overtake of the decade.

Ribs smashed to feck, face battered on floor, top of head hit a bus. Ventilator required. Much time in hospital. How I survived I don't know, but glad I had my helmet cause that could have turned out a ruddy lot worse than it did.

It doesn't matter how good I get at cycling / motorcycling, there's always some daft bugger out there that will really screw me up with their own stupidity.

But then I am the guy who refuses to break the speed limit and wears all the gear, all the time. I am aware I am an exception on this forum Rolling Eyes

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Do you always wear a helmet when cycling after that?

Nai · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Karma :

Did before, did after, unfortunately didn't protect my face. Took about 8 months to heal over. I don't think its noticeable to much but the right side of my lower lip is still shaped funny. After 7 years I am figuring that ones with me for life. Glad its not worse.

I am incredibly confident in my cycling abilities, always have been. Its the ability / stupidity of other road users that always worry me.

rob_scott92 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Karma :

willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

In the 60's my uncle went down the local shops for a loaf of bread on his motorbike. The shop was literally two blocks away, it was Autumn. He came off doing less than 30 (prob due to wet leaves),with no helmet on. He hit his head on the kerb and was in a coma for two years.

Wear a helmet.