[Pujafdaf]

Just wondering if anyone uses equipment other than a helmet and gloves when riding their bikes. I use elbow pads and knee pads as well as a mouth guard (because I have read of their benefits for preventing concussions as well as dental injuries) in addition to a helmet and gloves. I don't find any of it uncomfortable and I actually enjoy riding more because I know for the areas where I ride, mainly local streets, parks and bike paths, I'm pretty well protected from being injured if I fall.

Does any one else wear pads? I always feel as if I'm in a small minority but I can't see taking a chance for injury when it's so easy to reduce the risk.

[photosbymark]

The mouth guard maybe something Id consider, but I don't wear much else (ocassionally gloves but mainly when I am on the road bike) other than a helmet. I never go anywhere without that, and now my Road ID.

[Digital_Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Pujafdaf

Just wondering if anyone uses equipment other than a helmet and gloves when riding their bikes. I use elbow pads and knee pads as well as a mouth guard (because I have read of their benefits for preventing concussions as well as dental injuries) in addition to a helmet and gloves. I don't find any of it uncomfortable and I actually enjoy riding more because I know for the areas where I ride, mainly local streets, parks and bike paths, I'm pretty well protected from being injured if I fall.

Does any one else wear pads? I always feel as if I'm in a small minority but I can't see taking a chance for injury when it's so easy to reduce the risk.

Please tell me that you are not serious. About the only piece of equipment that you use that I'd even remotely consider using is the mouthguard. And uh, you do know, do you not that in any crash involving high speeds that your helmet isn't going to do you a bit of good? You are also aware that there are now studies that are showing that wearing a helmet may actually make most crashes worse than if one was NOT wearing a helmet.

The only "safety" equipment that I use is as follows:

• helmet
• gloves
• 3 headlights (Cateye Unos), two that are mounted on the handlebars and a third that is mounted on my helmet
• two taillights, again one (a Planet Bike Superflash mounted on my helmet, and a Cateye 5-LED mounted on my pannier rack)
• a rearview mirror mounted to my helmet

No knee pads, no elbow pads, no mouth guard, no mountain bike/BMX padding. How do knee/elbow pads and a mouth guard "protect" against a concussion?

Do you get laughed at/made fun of at the local parks, bike paths, as well as on the local roads?

[sikabk]

I guess if the OP is happy..I'd say ride on!

[Nigal]

Most times a helmet but sometimes not even that. Gloves sometimes on longer rides. I don't feel a need really but wear whatever ya like and keep on ridin'. 8)

[Poolie]

Just helmet, gloves and eye protection here. If the other stuff makes you feel better then I say go for it.

[kneedrachen]

Jock strap, bike shoes, helmet, gloves. that's it!

Seriously though, before another zealot tirade begins in this thread, if the OP feels more secure, than so be it. It's another person on a bike, their personal safety net of protection may be different than others, but who cares? To each their own!

[worthlees]

Safety equip. has become, Big Business, with lots of hype, IMO. I agree there are some
safety gear that should be worn, most of it needs improvement to be safer.

[photosbymark]

Don't totally disagree with you worthlees. There is lots of hype, some justified and some not. Yes it could all be better, but if it helps that is better than nothing. Far be it from me to tell anyone what they should and should not wear. It's there choice and their body. They have to live or not live with the results of a crash. It's called personal responsibility and I think most would likely feel that its best to let the individual make their own choices in safety gear. IF Digital Cowboy wants to go without a helmet, that's fine. I also remember people saying that seat belts could cost lives too by being trapped in a burning car and not being able to get the belt off. While its true that happens, the odds are vastly greater that the seat belt will help not hurt. Just as the odds are vastly greater that a helmet will help and not hurt, but the only thing I really don't think was appropriate was making fun of the OP for wearing gear he didn't think was necessary. That is not what this group has been about or should be.

[Poolie]

Slightly off topic, but still related to safety equipment.

Heard on the news last night that somewhere in upstate New York I believe, a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws died after he flipped over the bike’s handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.