[tim333]

There are a number of factors with cycle safety. Going slowly can have a similar risk level to going faster with a helmet. You can wear a helmet and still end up like Schumacher.

I just got off my bike in London, no helmet but typical speeds of 10 mph or so. Most cycle deaths here are crushed by trucks where a helmet doesn't help much.

[cowthulhu]

I'm not arguing that speed plays a factor, but you should still wear a helmet.

I know two people who had brain damage (like, serious damage that persists years later) from low speed falls - one was literally standing still, and the fall sent them to the hospital for a week. The other one was low speed, just starting off after stopping at the bottom of an uphill section. Not sure the exact details of what happened, but same story - fall -> hospital -> permanent loss of cognitive abilities and some change to personality.

Totally agree that if a truck runs you over, helmet probably won't do much. But a helmet will totally be the difference between an embarassing fall with a few minor scrapes, and one of the most (negatively) impactful moments of your life.

[tmnvix]

Would you argue that the woman in the article should have worn a helmet?

[cowthulhu]

The woman in the article was driving a car, so no?