General Discussion

Bigmack

(8,020 posts)

129. Nobody likes a pissing contest more than I do...

Fri Mar 7, 2014, 05:50 PM

Mar 2014

... so I'll join one of the most snark-filled but non-political posts I've seen here.

Ms. Bigmack and I ride our bikes. A lot. 3,000 miles a year. We ride a little every day, not the "century" rides.

12 years ago we were riding about 3 blocks from home and Ms. Bigmack hit a hidden pothole doing about 15 mph and went over the handlebars. Landed right on the front of her (helmeted) head.

Dustoff chopper... level 1 trauma center... coma for 9 days... a month of rehab...lasting cognitive, memory, and mood problems.

Everybody was in agreement that her (closed head/contrecoup) injuries would have been fatal or at least disastrous without the helmet.

So...

In keeping with the snark and personal attacks in this thread....

Anybody who bikes without a helmet is a dumbfuck.

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Wear a helmet. It's better than the alternative... [View all] MrScorpio Mar 2014 OP

K and R bigwillq Mar 2014 #1

Yes! Stop unplanned pregnancies now! randome Mar 2014 #2

Very true. Xyzse Mar 2014 #5

Yes for motorcycles, No for bikes. former9thward Mar 2014 #16

Well, I haven't had a head injury but I have cracked a helmet Gormy Cuss Mar 2014 #17

I have a coworker that had an inattentive driver make a left turn in front of him. Thor_MN Mar 2014 #18

Why, so you could spam me? former9thward Mar 2014 #30

I think you are wrong about that last part. CSStrowbridge Mar 2014 #34

I don't think, I know. Dawgs Mar 2014 #40

Hmmm, someone with 129 posts jumping in to defend the poster. former9thward Mar 2014 #41

And someone with 18,000+ posts, too. LanternWaste Mar 2014 #76

Congratulations. former9thward Mar 2014 #78

FYI: pointing out a post count is the weakest form of argument. JJChambers Mar 2014 #187

I agree. former9thward Mar 2014 #190

DU has a rule against one DUer defending the position of another DUer? enlightenment Mar 2014 #229

No it doesn't. former9thward Mar 2014 #230

More posts make you smarter or something? EX500rider Mar 2014 #226

Neither. former9thward Mar 2014 #232

Then why exactly did you point it out? n/t EX500rider Mar 2014 #254

ah the proof by insult hfojvt Mar 2014 #238

No, to defuse your BS "anonymous" comment. Thor_MN Mar 2014 #61

No, I don't want your spam. former9thward Mar 2014 #66

Have a nice day. Go ride a bike without a helmet. Thor_MN Mar 2014 #71

Thanks, I will. former9thward Mar 2014 #77

Must be something in the water in Arizonia... Thor_MN Mar 2014 #82

Where's Arizonia? blueamy66 Mar 2014 #116

The opposite corner from Coloradoaniana. n/t A HERETIC I AM Mar 2014 #216

Or Natural Selection at work MoonRiver Mar 2014 #168

Could be the brains that suggest not wearing a helmet aren't worth protecting. Thor_MN Mar 2014 #270

Every year in this country around 19,000 cyclists are killed or injured in reported road accidents.. EX500rider Mar 2014 #228

I bet many of the dead and injured hfojvt Mar 2014 #241

you're a shill for Big Helmet! dionysus Mar 2014 #267

Yeah, you found me out Thor_MN Mar 2014 #269

It's actually against the site rules to do what you are advocating. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #97

No, I knew he would never come out of his armchair bunker. Thor_MN Mar 2014 #101

Yeah, the 'derp, didn't happen to me' thing was pretty bad logic. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #103

I have to turn down clients. former9thward Mar 2014 #109

Apparently, you don't advise them to ride without helmets. Thor_MN Mar 2014 #113

They don't come to me for bike advice. former9thward Mar 2014 #117

Obviously, or you would be on the street. Thor_MN Mar 2014 #118

We don't care about your Psychic business. cui bono Mar 2014 #135

We? former9thward Mar 2014 #137

ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz . . . tabasco Mar 2014 #227

Where did I say that? former9thward Mar 2014 #235

I posted about my helmet use (#107) and put my real name on it. Jim Lane Mar 2014 #114

No one is obligated to use a pseudonym. n/t Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #140

I DID rickyhall Mar 2014 #20

Seriously? sakabatou Mar 2014 #21

Seriously. former9thward Mar 2014 #31

By this logic, we should bring back lawn darts. eggplant Mar 2014 #37

Everyone should fill out an organ card. former9thward Mar 2014 #45

And seatbelts! Who needs 'em?! Kids were fine before childseats too!!! lol n/t EX500rider Mar 2014 #231

Try reading the rest of the thread you're in here. There are multiple examples given. nt Electric Monk Mar 2014 #38

How did youth survive? former9thward Mar 2014 #42

So more youth survive today because of common-sense protections. randome Mar 2014 #58

Maybe you should go to Europe. former9thward Mar 2014 #60

On some subjects, yes. On other subjects no. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #100

To the ignore bin with you. eggplant Mar 2014 #86

Ohhh the humanity! former9thward Mar 2014 #89

Some of them DIDN'T survive. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #98

I was not an "exception. former9thward Mar 2014 #102

And ONLY 35,000 people per year because of compatible bumpers, crash standards, safety glass, AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #105

Some didn't, duh treestar Mar 2014 #159

Neither one of my children has had to go the funeral of a childhood playmate because ScreamingMeemie Mar 2014 #204

My first girl friend in high school was killed in a car accident. former9thward Mar 2014 #206

I think you're smart enough to figure it out. ScreamingMeemie Mar 2014 #207

Not all of them did. n/t Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #141

Really? former9thward Mar 2014 #143

135-155 a year. Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #150

I was asking about deaths pre 1990s where there was little helmet use. former9thward Mar 2014 #173

my dads best friend died in 1947 riding a motorcycle without a helmet. some of them died. roguevalley Mar 2014 #162

This is about bikes not motorcycles. former9thward Mar 2014 #174

The dead ones didn't. Hissyspit Mar 2014 #166

How many died because they were not wearing a helmet? former9thward Mar 2014 #175

Anecdotal evidence? Series? Major Nikon Mar 2014 #171

How many, since you are an authority? former9thward Mar 2014 #176

How many is enough for you? Major Nikon Mar 2014 #183

Those stats don't answer any questions. former9thward Mar 2014 #184

23,000 < 21yrs old traumatic brain injuries in one year Major Nikon Mar 2014 #185

Please read your links carefully. former9thward Mar 2014 #189

Reading my link more carefully for you: Major Nikon Mar 2014 #192

From your link: former9thward Mar 2014 #193

More like every traumatic brain injury is a head injury Major Nikon Mar 2014 #194

Cheers! former9thward Mar 2014 #195

From your quote: Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #196

You didn't even read what you just quoted Major Nikon Mar 2014 #197

Yes, if I bump my head against something and go to the ER former9thward Mar 2014 #198

That doesn't fit the definition Major Nikon Mar 2014 #199

"You can die from TBI and millions of people do every year." former9thward Mar 2014 #200

The CDC says 50,000 people in the US alone die from TBI each year Major Nikon Mar 2014 #208

Ok, so you made it up. former9thward Mar 2014 #209

Kinda like how you made up your original assertion Major Nikon Mar 2014 #211

We survived pretty well before seatbelts too NickB79 Mar 2014 #201

You would know more about FR than I would. former9thward Mar 2014 #205

"...someone will pipe up and make claim that "they know someone" Contrary1 Mar 2014 #22

Exactly. former9thward Mar 2014 #32

Are you kidding? Try wrecking a bike at 50 MPH on a downhill run. Hoyt Mar 2014 #24

Where were all these serious injuries before helmets? former9thward Mar 2014 #33

What? You think there were none? Ohio Joe Mar 2014 #65

You don't know the difference between a motorcycle and a bike? former9thward Mar 2014 #69

At 50MPH? Ohio Joe Mar 2014 #70

I don't ride bikes at 50 mph. former9thward Mar 2014 #81

what is the common speed? Ohio Joe Mar 2014 #88

There is no common speed. former9thward Mar 2014 #91

yet helmets are not needed Ohio Joe Mar 2014 #96

The fwd speed in motorcyles/bikes is not as relevant as the height you head falls.. EX500rider Mar 2014 #236

Well the "study" is nonsense. former9thward Mar 2014 #239

There was no "equating" EX500rider Mar 2014 #246

No they don't teach your physics. former9thward Mar 2014 #248

if you say so... EX500rider Mar 2014 #253

They were more commonly called 'fatalities' then. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #108

I would like to see the stats. former9thward Mar 2014 #111

For motorcycles, there are serious multi-national studies going back to WWII. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #112

I have never been on a motorcycle. former9thward Mar 2014 #115

I stay off the road on my bicycle. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #120

I get your point. former9thward Mar 2014 #122

They are definitely uncomfortable. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #124

I'll post as an anonymous person claiming head injury Victor_c3 Mar 2014 #28

I had 13 stitches taken in my head drmeow Mar 2014 #35

My 10 yr old son was riding with his cousin in the neighborhood bigbrother05 Mar 2014 #36

Then I'm sure you wear helmets in your car. former9thward Mar 2014 #44

No, but we drive Volvos bigbrother05 Mar 2014 #99

Whether I think car seats are really needed or not does not matter. former9thward Mar 2014 #106

Oh for FUCK'S SAKE Hissyspit Mar 2014 #167

Ask a medic. former9thward Mar 2014 #177

Anyone that rides a bike on the road without a helmet is dumb. Dawgs Mar 2014 #39

Holland is the dumbest country on the planet then Fumesucker Mar 2014 #47

Apparently. n/t Dawgs Mar 2014 #50

Yeah and not just Holland. former9thward Mar 2014 #53

Agree. n/t Dawgs Mar 2014 #62

Lived in Germany for more than 8 years bigbrother05 Mar 2014 #104

TDF was late in requiring helmets Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Mar 2014 #257

Biking in Holland vs the US is like a day vs night experience MrScorpio Mar 2014 #55

I don't remember learning to ride a bicycle Fumesucker Mar 2014 #63

Any country in Europe I have been in does not wear helmets. former9thward Mar 2014 #72

In spite of that, not wearing a bike helmet in this country is risky business MrScorpio Mar 2014 #83

Riding a bike, period, is risky. Live and Learn Mar 2014 #164

Or just minimize the risk. Hissyspit Mar 2014 #202

Amsterdam has very few cars in the city. It's essentially a biking city. KittyWampus Mar 2014 #146

You would think that in a country with actual universal coverage that helmets would be mandatory Fumesucker Mar 2014 #147

Better safe than sorry, I'd think Scootaloo Mar 2014 #49

Tell a medic about your theory. former9thward Mar 2014 #51

Your argument assumes I'm saying safety measures are 100% effective Scootaloo Mar 2014 #95

Wrong, wrong, wrong. progressoid Mar 2014 #52

As usual you are mixing statistics. former9thward Mar 2014 #64

As "usual"? progressoid Mar 2014 #93

I did as well. wickerwoman Mar 2014 #59

I and all my friends never wore a seat-belt as a child.. LanternWaste Mar 2014 #75

And there were many injuries that seat belts could have prevented. former9thward Mar 2014 #84

It does follow wickerwoman Mar 2014 #94

My husband and my son catrose Mar 2014 #182

People have fallen on sidewalks and cracked their skulls and died. You think pavement is soft? CBGLuthier Mar 2014 #79

I have had many bike spills when young. former9thward Mar 2014 #87

Actually, I had a head injury. cate94 Mar 2014 #90

I'm not anonymous, and here's my story. Jim Lane Mar 2014 #107

Nice post. n/t Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #145

It is a violation of the DU TOS to post personal identification information. former9thward Mar 2014 #180

As an attorney, you've surely heard of estoppel. Jim Lane Mar 2014 #213

A helmet saved me, I believe central scrutinizer Mar 2014 #130

I know someone who DIDN'T avoid a head injury (without a helmet).... mike_c Mar 2014 #133

People use bikes to commute in major cities. They should absolutely wear a helmet. n/t cui bono Mar 2014 #134

Do you realize what getting hit by a car on a bike is like? former9thward Mar 2014 #136

Not all hit-by-car-on-bike accidents are equal. Jim Lane Mar 2014 #212

Well, good luck to you. former9thward Mar 2014 #222

You have heard of seatbelts and airbags, right? Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #139

Somehow I doubt you ride bikes. former9thward Mar 2014 #142

You are quite the skeptic. Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #149

Good luck to you! former9thward Mar 2014 #172

That would be true of helmets worn in cars too Fumesucker Mar 2014 #221

Because the helmet is the sole protection on bicycles Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #258

The sheer numbers mean that you are most probably wrong Fumesucker Mar 2014 #262

Sorry, but you're just being silly. Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #263

You were the one arguing that helmets in cars would make occupans less safe Fumesucker Mar 2014 #264

No. Ms. Toad Mar 2014 #266

You only mentioned negative points regarding helmet use in cars, no positive ones Fumesucker Mar 2014 #271

When we were growing up, there were no cell phones. KittyWampus Mar 2014 #144

I don't know this guy personally, but I don't think it's anonymous: kentauros Mar 2014 #148

If my 16 y.o. son had been wearing a bike helmet he wouldn't have a seizure disorder now Hekate Mar 2014 #152

Some years back when I lived in Boulder, Co, SheilaT Mar 2014 #154

my sister hit a truck with a motorcycle and lived because of her helmet. she lost a leg but lived. roguevalley Mar 2014 #161

That poster has certainly gotten a LOT of attention tonight, hasn't he? Smug in his ignorance... Hekate Mar 2014 #163

I simply posted I don't think helmets are necessary in bikes. former9thward Mar 2014 #179

BS. You love the attention. Hekate Mar 2014 #186

Then you should all put me on ignore. former9thward Mar 2014 #191

I know. Motorcycles, bikes, you still splatter when you hit the ground. I guess roguevalley Mar 2014 #188

Except this is about bikes not motorcycles. former9thward Mar 2014 #178

"I and all my friends rode bikes in our youth and no one ever got a head injury" EX500rider Mar 2014 #225

In Oregon, they're mandatory for minors, optional for adults (bicycles); mandatory for motorcyclists Lizzie Poppet Mar 2014 #234

I never go fast. former9thward Mar 2014 #237

It doesn't take much speed. If your bike stops/flips suddenly (hitting a rock the wrong way) or Arugula Latte Mar 2014 #245

My, my death all around us. former9thward Mar 2014 #249

Because you survived not wearing a helmet that proves that helmets don't matter. Arugula Latte Mar 2014 #251

Then use ignore. former9thward Mar 2014 #252

thanks for that hfojvt Mar 2014 #242

Seriously? You think head injuries from bike accidents don't really happen? Arugula Latte Mar 2014 #243

I never said there were no injuries, head or otherwise. former9thward Mar 2014 #250

Here you go. Why don't you contact this boy's family and tell them that their son didn't really die: Arugula Latte Mar 2014 #244

Per bicycles I didn't need a helmet as a kid. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Mar 2014 #256

Well I am not a competitive cycler. former9thward Mar 2014 #259

My mom always insisted I wear a helmet while riding my bike, and so I did.... Humanist_Activist Mar 2014 #268

Yeah, yeah! A good brain bucket saved my life when I was 17. In_The_Wind Mar 2014 #3

That is why I don't ride motorcycles anymore liberal N proud Mar 2014 #4

And not just any helmet, a good helmet Marrah_G Mar 2014 #6

Exactly! When I first started riding motocross another rider told me, "If you've got a $25 head ... 11 Bravo Mar 2014 #10

I've used a variant of that Jim Lane Mar 2014 #110

I wonder if the rider survived. Beacool Mar 2014 #7

That's motorcycles for you. Oakenshield Mar 2014 #12

I've had motorcycles at three different points in my life. tridim Mar 2014 #15

Yeah, cars kill a shitload of occupants every year too. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #27

You're being juvenile. Oakenshield Mar 2014 #56

I am being juvenile because you can't be bothered to actually read my post. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #92

No, you're being juvenile because.... Oakenshield Mar 2014 #121

Smaller isn't the issue. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #123

My husband rides in an obnoxious fluorescent yellow jacket and helmet REP Mar 2014 #127

Tell him that is a VERY good idea... EX500rider Mar 2014 #240

It was a gruesome pic. Beacool Mar 2014 #125

All the gear, all the time. cloudbase Mar 2014 #8

Agreed! People opposing helmet laws are pig headed morons Pretzel_Warrior Mar 2014 #9

To wear like that, did he slide a quarter mile with his weight on the back part of his head? Electric Monk Mar 2014 #11

I rode bicycles without one for years. And horses. raven mad Mar 2014 #13

I agree...political idiots like Sean Hannity would have all our children Rex Mar 2014 #14

I thought it was going to be a picture of Hannity... Contrary1 Mar 2014 #19

Two things held true every time I got on a motorcycle... rrneck Mar 2014 #23

Always wear my helmet, always wear a seatbelt. AtheistCrusader Mar 2014 #25

I know someone who died from a bike accident...car hit him..his head hit ground. Stuart G Mar 2014 #26

How many expected this? Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2014 #29

if people value their lives heaven05 Mar 2014 #43

In Michigan they lifted Helmet Laws. mstinamotorcity2 Mar 2014 #46

No helmet-stupid people doing stupid things packman Mar 2014 #48

I was going to be a Devil's Advocate and discuss the slippery slope tavalon Mar 2014 #155

Having once upon a time been a fireman in my primordial life... Javaman Mar 2014 #54

It's really odd that my exposure to brains outside of heads didn't cause me to have PTSD tavalon Mar 2014 #156

you are lucky just to see brains. Javaman Mar 2014 #170

Not a contest but, yeah, I saw most of that, tavalon Mar 2014 #223

you were lucky to see the ones that lived. Javaman Mar 2014 #265

So basically Sean Hannity doesn't value life. npk Mar 2014 #57

At the very least, he doesn't value the President's life. Quel surprise. n/t winter is coming Mar 2014 #119

I think Hannity is very intimidated by the President npk Mar 2014 #126

It's a coping mechanism tavalon Mar 2014 #157

Those who disagree with Mr. Scorpio Nitram Mar 2014 #67

as an EMR we go on calls for ATV's alot, littlewolf Mar 2014 #68

I cannot for the life of me remember if I was wearing a helmet tavalon Mar 2014 #158

I admit to riding without one before in states that it wouldn't get me pulled over shedevil69taz Mar 2014 #73

In high school a friend of mine was riding a motorcycle and hit by a car he was thrown and landed on kimbutgar Mar 2014 #74

Better yet, don't drive the noisy motorcycle in the first place. nt valerief Mar 2014 #80

Most motorcycles aren't any louder than most cars REP Mar 2014 #128

Not in the real world. Motorcycles are annoyingly loud and you know it. valerief Mar 2014 #131

I drive a car. Why would I lie? REP Mar 2014 #132

Straight-piped Harleys and "performance exhaust" crotch rockets IDemo Mar 2014 #210

I agree that most are Major Nikon Mar 2014 #220

I didn't put an aftermarket exhaust that is louder on my Harley to be dickish shedevil69taz Mar 2014 #233

It would have been the back of his head, not his face. KamaAina Mar 2014 #85

He would have been killed if not for the helmet, most of his head would have been shaved off. nt bluestate10 Mar 2014 #151

Nobody likes a pissing contest more than I do... Bigmack Mar 2014 #129

I just spent $500 plus to upgrade to the safest I could find BadGimp Mar 2014 #138

There wasn't much left upstairs in bikers who didn't wear helmets and managed to survive Warpy Mar 2014 #153

K&R JoeyT Mar 2014 #160

Looks like it will buff out. Enthusiast Mar 2014 #165

Proud member of being a biker since 1969......and wearing a helmet. raven mad Mar 2014 #169

I advocate wearing a helmet as a pedestrian as well. blueamy66 Mar 2014 #181

Around 1992 I was in a bicycle accident in New Brunswick, NJ.... Junkdrawer Mar 2014 #203

DU: The only place you'll see such a fight over wearing a helmet. flvegan Mar 2014 #214

Trust me, the helmet squabble extends far and wide IDemo Mar 2014 #215

I had 6 Harley drivers pass me on the interstate. One of B Calm Mar 2014 #217

Not ME. I'M a better rider... Junkdrawer Mar 2014 #218

Mr. Scorpio - a bicycle helmet saved my daughter's face, hedgehog Mar 2014 #219

I would be brain damaged or dead without my DiverDave Mar 2014 #224

My helmet, boots, and gloves save me several times a year. ileus Mar 2014 #247

Don't you find it funny how "pro-life" people can be "anti-helmet"? alp227 Mar 2014 #255

helmets also keep Niceguy1 Mar 2014 #260

A friend was riding his bike down the street, and someone in a parked car opened the car door ... kwassa Mar 2014 #261