For the last three years as soon as it is light enought to commute to work and back in day light my bike comes out - 9.7 miles each way takea between 40 and 45 mins. 4th week now.

I pick up the canal between Bradford and Leeds - last 3/4 mile is on cycle lanes through Leeds town centre.

I wear my bike helmet all the time not just for the road bit. The canal towpath is very bumpy in parts and a chap was found dead in the canal last year. Initially a bloke was arrested as he had taken possesion of the cyclists bike but further investigation suggested he had hit his head on one of the bridges, taken an unconscious tumble in to the canal and that was it.

I always make my kids wear their helmets even when playing in the street. I don't care if they think they look daft (its character building and life saving). Safety first fun after.

Helmets should be compulsary. It won't necessarily save your life but its start.

I grew up when kids rode unrestrainded in cars, seatbelts were not compulsary. We should all wear them if we want to be a drain on our kids patience in old age! There's always a way forward!

2008 Freelander Td4 GS - Stornoway Grey - Now Gone - Sob
2011 Freelander Td4 GS 150 - Rimini Red - in its place - Better x far x 4!!

Agree- Australia its law
I have had three accidents with helmet cracked or damaged each time- Take away the helmet that would have been my head!
I can replace the helmet but not my head !!!! 2011 XS,Sumatra Black, GONE MARCH 2014- RR Evoque Prestige 5 door ,MY 2014,Loire Blue, Silver Roof, Panoramic roof.
MY 2016 Disco Sport HSE Auto Scotia Grey,REJECTED
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Totally agree, I had a nasty crash racing downhill many years ago, badly broken left arm and a few cuts and bruise's . My new Giro Helmet had a big crack in it, miffed about the helmet but did its job,soon got another helmet and never leave the house without one when going Mountaing Biking

I think some helmet brands have a replacement offer, if you damage it, they'll replace at a discount, think it was specialised brand?

Yes that's right Nick, not sure what the policy is now, but a lot of the manufactures did as way back as 1995 when I had my crash. Had just spent a large amount on a Giro Suppermotto, it did its thing and I think I got a substantial discount on a replacement, I had to send the old one back for thier research team if I remember rightly

Very encouraging to see so many good posts. I've come off the bike a few times and usually laugh it off, but this one did knock my confidence a little. The first Friday night out with my arm in a sling and a black eye I was looking for a bit of sympathy from the guys but with true Northern humour they had got me a kids stabiliser. As for sending the helmet back for research SWMBO says I should send my head  

Quote:

I pick up the canal between Bradford and Leeds - last 3/4 mile is on cycle lanes through Leeds town centre.

The is one of my favourites, I take the bike on the train from Pontefract to Steeton near Skipton ( it costs more if you cross the border to North Yorkshie & I am a Yorkshire man) I then I cycle down the canel and river to Ferrybridge the last bit from Castleford to Ferrybridge is the River Aire passing through the Fairburn Ings RSPB site,
I usually pick a day when there is a north westerly wind, this makes it a pleasant easy ride.

I don't know what it is about canals but they do attract some strange characters

There are a lot of sensible post regarding helmet wearing, but the only time I wear one is when I am competing (they are compulsory) I know this doesn't make sense to a lot of people, but I have been a cyclist for a long time and wearing an helmet does not give me the same sense of freedom as without one.

There are lots of dangerous things in life if we were to mitigate the risks of them all, life would be very dull. What if there were no hypothetical situations?

Hi Gunfa, when I look at the state of my crash helmet I know how lucky I am to be here. I would urge you think again about wearing one.
John

You need a helmet just walking around town these days just in case a skateboader, on pavement cyclist, or a coffin dodger on an electric scooter comes round the corner and flattens you!