Performative Helmet Wearing

 Yes, just what every cycling blog needs- the traditional helmet debate! 

Actually I am hoping to avoid going down the well-travelled route normally found on Road.cc and  other sites- where these types of posts are designed, like their "Close Miss of the Day" videos to keep visitors engaging even when there is no actual cycling happening. These simply result in the exact same people, making the exact same points and getting bent out of shape. Most sensible folks tend to stay well clear but there are always those folk who can't help themselves. I did jump in early to such a debate in 2015 on Road.cc where I tried to save everyone the time by predicting and summarising all the points that would be made, which was well received by those who were fed up with what is the cycling equivalent of Goodwin's Law, but due to the unique, world-beating tech used on that site, it has been next to impossible to simply search for my previous posts and re-share here. (Apologies for veering off into a critique of Road.cc- that will be a post for another day).

Anyway, what has prompted this dipping of a toe into the world of libertarian toddler tantrums versus those who think helmets have magical protection powers? Has the University of Bath Research which showed that wearing a helmet means drivers actually conduct more dangerous passes been updated? Has another pro been quoted either in or out of context when asked about skid lids? Has Chris Broadman caused controversy by riding a bike on TV without one, where he rightly states helmet-wearing isn't even in the Top Ten of things to keep cyclists safe? 

Actually it was the more performative approach to helmet use that inspired this article. What do I mean by this? Basically that helmet use has become so fetishised and taken on a symbology that, in my mind, over-estimates their effectiveness and in some cases this use actually makes them more dangerous. I will come back to that second part later but my thoughts around the first element really came to the fore a few days ago. I was walking near the local public park, which has well delinated cycle lanes and I saw an older couple on a tricycle built for two. It was lovely to see since they could make their way around the lakes at their own pace together. It was a robust machine and safer than a bike since they obviously won't fall off if they stop pedalling- and in fact as a stable platform it was safer even than walking since they didn't need any semblance of balance at all. However they were both wearing helmets which struck me as odd. They wouldn't wear them walking the same route yet they would be more likely to come a cropper by tripping and falling than coming off thier trike. What they were doing was probably the safest version of cycling possible, yet were better protected than someone descending Alpe d'Huez. 

So what is the problem with that you may ask? It is no skin off your nose what they chose to do- and I agree to a point. But what they were doing unconsciously was adding a perception of danger that didn't exist. And that leads to wider misconceptions among the general populace as to what bike helmets are for, and what they can do. Let's not forget- normally the first question a lot of people ask when they hear about a bike accident isn't how did the infrastructure or actions of the driver contribute to it? It is "Were they wearing a helmet?" as if that is all that is required to keep us safe, and if a helmet is not used then the cyclist was basically to blame, no matter the circumstances.

The second aspect of performative helmet wearing falls into the category of simply slapping it on your head- after all, as long as you are wearing one, right? But I lose count of the number of folk on bikes with their helmet sitting at a jaunty angle and too loose- in fact it looks like more of a balancing act to keep it on their head. Now Tao Geoghan Hart and Primoz Roglic may have rocked that look (to be fair to Primoz only once during that fateful 2020 Tour de France stage 20 TT; Tao seems to embrace it on a more regular basis) but an ill-fitting helmet isn't just reducing its effectiveness- in some cases it actually makes the situation more dangerous. A badly fitted or poorly-secured helmet can result in the head and neck being twisted or pulled in a direction that can add to injury in the result of a tumble- in some cases the rider would have been better off without anything at all. People who wear their helmets in this fashion clearly assume that they aren't going to come off, but still feel the need to wear one- whether this is societal pressure or they have bought into the "magic-plastic-Noddy-hat-that-staves-off-all-evil" mindset isn't always clear.

So this isn't an anti- or pro-helmet screed. Like most normal people my opinion is simple- while I don't agree with compulsory wearing and am very much aware of their limitations, I still wear one. It isn't going to stop an  unskilled rushing 4x4 , distracted tired HGV or plain ignorant taxi driver ending a ride prematurely and permanently but I may be thankful if I can't clip out when coming to a stop some time.  But rest assured I will sure as hell make sure the helmet fits and is securely fastened, and if there is a shared trike in my future then a retro casquette with sufficent luft will be atop my head instead!