deskthority

I wrecked on my bicycle today and my helmet saved me from a potentially serious head injury (the right side of my body, not so much). I implore you to wear your helmet, you never know when you might crash and slam your noggin onto the pavement. It doesn't look cool or feel comfortable, but it will save you from a serious head injury.

Yep, the abrasion factor between flesh and asphalt or concrete is not favorable.

Apart from when mountain biking in the Ardennes, I don't think I've ever worn a bicycle helmet xD .

This thread is for you, then!

the dutch are snickering

It's very rare to find a Dutchman with a bicycle helmet, absolutely no-one wears them. Then again, bicycle traffic is very ingrained into the culture, so relatively few accidents happen.

And that conscientiousness towards bicycle traffic is a very important distinction. Helmets are mandatory here, and people commuting via bike is pretty uncommon I would say, therefore people driving cars are much less aware and even rude to people on bikes. From memory I think there was a law passed where cars have to give bicycles 2 metres clearance when passing. Riding a bike on the roads here is really nerve-wracking and it's unfortunately very much an "us vs them" attitude with cars and cyclists

I have a very bad habit of not wearing mine, I've never had a real accident either. Hope you're OK viva!

002 wrote: And that conscientiousness towards bicycle traffic is a very important distinction. Helmets are mandatory here, and people commuting via bike is pretty uncommon I would say, therefore people driving cars are much less aware and even rude to people on bikes. From memory I think there was a law passed where cars have to give bicycles 2 metres clearance when passing. Riding a bike on the roads here is really nerve-wracking and it's unfortunately very much an "us vs them" attitude with cars and cyclists

A Melbourne cyclist told me just as much.

Same in the USA in most cities. Drivers need to save 5-10 seconds of their life and put your life in danger.

I used to ride more recklessly, but I've become safer over the years. This time my pants got caught in the gears, and because it is a fixed gear, the pedals did not stop turning and I just lost it.

vivalarevolución wrote:

002 wrote: And that conscientiousness towards bicycle traffic is a very important distinction. Helmets are mandatory here, and people commuting via bike is pretty uncommon I would say, therefore people driving cars are much less aware and even rude to people on bikes. From memory I think there was a law passed where cars have to give bicycles 2 metres clearance when passing. Riding a bike on the roads here is really nerve-wracking and it's unfortunately very much an "us vs them" attitude with cars and cyclists

A Melbourne cyclist told me just as much.

Same in the USA in most cities. Drivers need to save 5-10 seconds of their life and put your life in danger.

I used to ride more recklessly, but I've become safer over the years. This time my pants got caught in the gears, and because it is a fixed gear, the pedals did not stop turning and I just lost it.

Over here in the UK cyclists are practically nonexistent, and drivers absolutely don't expect cyclists to show up, and don't know what to do when they do. Fortunately I'm experienced enough to anticipate all the things that could go wrong, so I feel pretty safe .

One situation that I frequently encounter while riding in urban areas is that car drivers are too lazy or simply forget to look over their shoulder when making a turn while the pedestrians and cyclists have green light to cross like this:
Infuriates me, the same shit over and over. Depending on my mood I'll yell at the driver, staring at the licence plate usually works wonders.

Yeah well, that's a Merc driver :p . BMW drivers are usually even worse xD . Worst are van and coach drivers, I think.

I swear a lot in traffic, in many languages as well. From most common to least common; French, Dutch, Norwegian/Danish, Spanish, Italian, and Russian. Creatively, too. I almost never swear in English in public because people can undestand that :p .

Sale pute borgne, bouge ton gros cul de merde, fait chier la bite!

No I get this with drivers of many car brands. Trucks and vans are also quite dangerous since they often cannot view around as well. Unfortunately my swearing is limited to German and English, but German swearing can be quite barbaric.

002 wrote: And that conscientiousness towards bicycle traffic is a very important distinction. Helmets are mandatory here, and people commuting via bike is pretty uncommon I would say, therefore people driving cars are much less aware and even rude to people on bikes. From memory I think there was a law passed where cars have to give bicycles 2 metres clearance when passing. Riding a bike on the roads here is really nerve-wracking and it's unfortunately very much an "us vs them" attitude with cars and cyclists

In Portugal this is pretty much the same. Usually there are no lanes for cyclists and the us vs them mentality exists.

As a driver I hate to get a cyclist on my lane, even though it's not that often on weekdays. The road is already narrow and busy as it is, let alone with a cyclist on my lane. I always try to be extra careful but it's quite annoying. By annoying I mean conditions for cyclists should exist because the current way is dangerous for both the cyclist and for the cars trying to go around them.

We do have bicycle lanes on most inner city streets in Germany, and it really has become a lot safer in the last 20 years to cycle in cities, which is really good. I cycle a lot, and since I am always defensive and über-careful in respect to cars, I have actually more problems with pedestrians and other bikers here, because many of them just do what they want and don't think of (other) cyclists. Pedestrians with a smartphones are the worst.

seebart wrote: Unfortunately my swearing is limited to German and English, but German swearing can be quite barbaric.

Do you have an equivalent for "die of cancer in your cunt face"?

Yes smartphones are a bad thing in terms of distraction for pedestrians and car drivers. I even see cyclists looking at their "device" while riding now and again. Yes we also have quite a few new cycle lanes here Halvar. And there has been huge progress in bicycle saftey accessories like LED lamps etc.

Chyros wrote:

seebart wrote: Unfortunately my swearing is limited to German and English, but German swearing can be quite barbaric.

Do you have an equivalent for "die of cancer in your cunt face"?

Hmm no I don't think so. But the assortment is good enough. Or you could just show them your smiley. (just kidding)

seebart wrote: Yes smartphones are a bad thing in terms of distraction for pedestrians and car drivers. I even see cyclists looking at their "device" while riding now and again. Yes we also have quite a few new cycle lanes here Halvar. And there has been huge progress in bicycle saftey accessories like LED lamps etc.

Chyros wrote:

seebart wrote: Unfortunately my swearing is limited to German and English, but German swearing can be quite barbaric.

Do you have an equivalent for "die of cancer in your cunt face"?

Hmm no I don't think so. But the assortment is good enough. Or you could just show them your smiley. (just kidding)

I'd wear a mask, that'd be awesome!

Chyros wrote: I'd wear a mask, that'd be awesome!

You're really scaring me now Chyros, really. Also you might get arrested wearing a mask like that.

vivalarevolución wrote: I used to ride more recklessly, but I've become safer over the years. This time my pants got caught in the gears, and because it is a fixed gear, the pedals did not stop turning and I just lost it.

So the real lesson learned should be "Remember not to wear loose clothing in proximity of rotating gears." which is fine for safety. For protecting my head, if/when I get off my bike involuntarily, I can use my arms. (I actually broke my left arm this way before I learned rolling in judo)

Ray wrote: So the real lesson learned should be "Remember not to wear loose clothing in proximity of rotating gears." which is fine for safety.

Absolutely yes.

Ray wrote: For protecting my head, if/when I get off my bike involuntarily, I can use my arms. (I actually broke my left arm this way before I learned rolling in judo)

Sounds like a lousy emergency plan to me.

I am pretty certain my head won't hit the ground when I fall from my bike. If it gets hit by something like a car - well that's bad luck for me... I don't claim perfect risk management on that

And a helmet wouldn't have saved my arm, judo would have.

Edit: This is not meant as an argument against helmets for cyclists. A helmet can save your most vital body part from a lot of damage. Wear one whenever there is reasonable danger for your head. Do as I say, not as I do! Or do as you please.

No you're right Ray, when falling you (and me and anyone) will instinctively use their arms and hand to buffer the impact. Much better not to get into that situation in the first place if possible at all.

I know I did use my arm when I hit a dog with my motorcycle, and dislocated my shoulder in the process. Head-wise I just got a nick on the helmet.
But better not count on your hands to save your head. If you ram the side of a car that cut you off, there is hardly any time to lift your hands before you headbutt the window...
That said, while I always wear a helmet on my bike, on the bicycle I rarely do...

Take care viva!

And regarding traffic education, Athens is really shitty! Almost as bad as Naples...scary stuff!

Fyi guys, codeine is a hell of a drug.

You can't beat french for swearing

Whore of shit!

Brothel of balls!

It makes the dick shit!

Your mouth!

I love French swearing, I do it all the time xD .

Jeez Chyros you really like you're swearing don't you? From what I can tell French swearing is more creative but less barbaric then German swearing.

seebart wrote: Jeez Chyros you really like you're swearing don't you?

Yes, I swear like a sailor :p .

Chyros wrote:

seebart wrote: Jeez Chyros you really like you're swearing don't you?

Yes, I swear like a sailor :p .

you should learn more balcanic languages, like Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, etc... then you will get to see a new dimension of swearing and cursing

I think that this was vivalarevolución today: