saw this elsewhere in a discussion about cycling stuff:
"Bungee cords are very dangerous. My cousin, an eye surgeon, told me that more people have their eyes damaged/removed by bungee cords than by any other accident."
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
bungee cords...a hidden menace?
(8 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
-
Jeez. I bought some bungee cords a few years ago for daughter's duke of ed. they were rejected and have stayed in the packet. I am not removing them now. Decathlon deal so only five pounds (my own money though)
Is it bungee cords being stretched across car roofs at eye height which snap and hit eyes? Or bungee cords over panniers that ping up the way?
I have punched myself in the eye putting on quite tight arm warmers
Posted 8 years ago # -
I can believe that, and for that reason I now use webbing straps, and have progressed from the cheap plastic buckle type to the 1" straps with parachute harness (tightening with tension) buckles, or ratchet connectors. They have none of the 'give' of the bungee which can let a load bounce or slide off, and can be used as a carrying handle or strap if required.
Tool Station has good quality at a reasonable price. Lidl/Aldi have them with variable provenance in buckle quality and webbing quality
Posted 8 years ago # -
See also: dangers from Tug of War, including (but not limited to) amputation and death.
Posted 8 years ago # -
That's the thing about bungee cords: they have to be fairly tightly stretched over something in order to be useful. And the temptation is ever longer bungees to wrap around bags, suitcases and roofracks, because they're easy to use.
Two of my bikes have rear racks, and each has a bungee cord attached more or less permanently. I just stuff things underneath, like a lock or a jacket, and there's no risk of the bungee detaching.
Like Tulyar, I use ratchet straps for securing large items to my trailer. I bought a pair when I was transporting a motorbike in a van, and they've proved very useful since then. I also have a set of cam buckle straps which are harder to tighten down but also a little less faff than ratchets.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I have given myself some nasty gashes on palm and fingers from pinging bungees in the past, and now treat them with respect. Touch wood, no face related injuries to date.
The old style "hook" bungees are a bit hazardous. Modern ones seem to have a looped wire hook without the sharp single spur of wire protruding which causes gashes and blood to be spilt.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I spent an entertaining time picking one out of the transmission one cold, wet night. It's always the way.
Another got trapped between a Sturmy Archer sprocket and hub and managed to pop the sprocket off.
Bromptons come with bungees on the luggage rack. It's part of their schtik.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I saw a bungee cord snap in a torrential downpour on Dalry Road, and coil itself round the drive side of a derailleur-geared bike. In the heavy rain the man heard nothing and pedalled through the resistance. I don't know if the mechanism survived that adventure but I certainly don't relish the idea of standing around with water streaming everywhere, trying to unguddle everything.
Posted 8 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
