I don't get people's resistance to helmets!

[indysteel]

Okay, I have to rant for a second. I've had two conversations over the past week with people who are new to cycling. One is a guy at my yoga studio who has sole custody of his two kids. The other is a friend of mine who is a therapist and is thinking of buying my Trek FX. With respect to the former, I asked him if he had a helmet and he admitted that he didn't because he didn't want to mess up his hair. When I talked to my friend about buying my bike I said that I'd sell it to her on the condition that she wear a helmet. She immediately balked because she doesn't want to have bad hair all day when she meets with her clients.

Both of the these people plan to ride--at least at this point--exclusively on a multi-use trail that we have in Indy under the mistaken belief that it's safer than the road. Wrong. Almost all my close calls have been on the trail because it's crowded and lots of people are too oblivious to be trusted. Plus, you have to cross some busy intersections and I've had more than one driver wave me on only to then start driving at me (I don't use this trail anymore btw).

With respect to both I said, well your hair's gonna look like crap when the doctor shaves it to treat your massive head wound. I mean, seriously people! Is having a good hair day really more important than your life? I'm as vain as the next person, but I decided a while ago to just use a headband and get over it. I hate to tell my friend but my guess is that most, if not all, her patients could give a rat's you-know-what about her hair. And the guy with the two kids in his care? Well, that's just selfish and short-sighted of him. I've also shared an antidote with them about a friend of mine who was involved in a paceline crash recently. While he sustained a broken collarbone and his helmet was cracked in four places, he did not sustain even the slightest head injury or wound. Not only do helmets make sense, but they actually work!

GRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Thank you for letting me vent.

K-

[lph]

I agree, this is a bit bizarre. I happen to think I look kind of cool with helmet hair - a bit sleek athlete-like :D

But then, I don't have a very elaborate hairdo, I have curly hair and it goes all over the place anyway. Nothing a little water won't fix. Maybe if I spent ages fixing it every morning I'd be more unhappy slapping a helmet on top.

I go all wobbly at the knees just thinking about biking without a helmet...

[limewave]

There's a kid in our neighborhood who bikes around wearing his helmet, but it's not strapped :eek: What's the point?

[madscot13]

This spring, I was biking and talking with a classmate who had to borrow a friend's helmet because she had lost hers. She said that she will definitely have to get a new helmet for the summer- it makes me a legitimite bicyclist. I thought about it and truer words have never been spoken.


I think there is some relief in site. My roommates never let me leave the house without a helmet. Also, one of my roommates just bought a new helmet at the REI sale. cool!

[bike4ever]

Our store policy is every customer has to have a helmet on to take a bike for a test ride. I worked with an older lady last summer. She was very interested in one of our Fisher hybrids, and she was with her granddaughter. I offered to set the bike up for her for a test ride explaining that I needed her drivers license. I also said I would get her one of our helmets. She immediately said she would not go on a test ride if we made her wear a helmet (she said this in front of her granddaughter). I quickly asked if she wore a seat belt - her reply - only because it's the law. I wished her luck in finding a bike.

A couple of weeks ago, my son and another boy were joking around with a kids bike at school. They dropped the bike and tore his saddle. Both boys paid for the saddle. My son lost his bike privilege for 1 week since he rode the other childs bike without a helmet!!

[Veronica]

- it makes me a legitimite bicyclist.

No, you're putting your judgements on to other people. I rode with some outstanding cyclists this last weekend, who did not wear their helmets.

V.

[michelem]

This sounds like my husband (except, it's not a hair thing - he's hair deprived!). He REFUSES to wear a helmet - sounds like a little kid - "I don't wanna wear a helmet!" We are going on a bike tour this summer, and the rules say he must wear a helmet. I've bought him one to bring with us, but he says that he is going to try to see if he can sign a waiver when we get there so he doesn't have to wear it. Sigh . . . It's frustrating because I thought this would be a fun thing for us to do together, but, no, all of his training is going to have to happen at the gym on the stationary bike because a) he won't train outdoors without me (his philosophy is why ride outside when he can ride inside in the air conditioning with cable tv at the gym?) and b) I refuse to ride with him unless he has on his helmet. Grrrrr . . . :mad:

Maybe someday he'll change. He finally started wearing a seatbelt when we were dating and I said I wouldn't ride in a vehicle with him unless he wore his seatbelt (our first few dates were those where we drove separately - how romantic - ha ha). Sometimes he really drives me crazy, but I love him! :rolleyes:

P.S. This is despite the fact that when he was in 6th grade he was hit by a car when riding his bike. The vehicle ran a red light and almost killed him - he was in ICU for a while and had to have surgery to repair the broken bones in his leg - still has some nasty scars to prove it.

[indysteel]

No, you're putting your judgements on to other people. I rode with some outstanding cyclists this last weekend, who did not wear their helmets.

V.

Well, perhaps wearing a helmet doesn't necessarily make you a "legitimate" cyclist, but it sure makes you a smarter one. I'm kind of surprised that there are "outstanding" cyclists out there not wearing helmets. I realize that the pros weren't required to wear them until relatively recently, but I assumed that the vast majority of us who are serious about the sport--either competively or recreationally--collectively agree that helmets are essentially a necessity. I can't think of any event or club ride or race in my area where helmets aren't required. It almost goes without saying.

I didn't make the comment you took issue with, but all the same I feel pretty comfortable on this count imposing my judgment on others. At the end of the day, I and every other taxpayer out there ends up footing the bill, one way or another, for injuries sustained by people who refuse to take basic, low cost, and commonly accepted safety precautions. While there is no helmet law for cyclists or motorcyclists in Indiana, I would fully support one; personal freedom be damned. And I'm willing to lecture any cyclist--competitive, recreational, outstanding, legitimate, etc.--who refuses to wear one.

[KSH]

Well, they really aren't using their heads on this one... bad pun... sorry, had to do it.

Anyhoo, trails are NOT safe. My boyfriend had a horrible wreck on a trail, demolished his bike, and almost his head, if it hadn't been for his helmet.

I also know of other trail wrecks. One where someone broke a hip and another person broke their collar bone.

And I know how annoying it is... to see people riding without helmets. The other day, at the lake I ride, there was this Dad riding in the street with his son. The son, about 8 years old, was BEHIND him, on a road with cars. Neither had helmets on. WTH? How do you let your kid ride in the street, not watch them and not put a helmet on his head? GGGGRRRRR :mad:

[missymaya]

"Legitimate" or not, helmets are the smart way to go. You could have the best bike handling skills and be at the utmost caution and still not be able to predict what's comin your way. A lot of people just think it doesn't look cool to wear a helmet, but if it weren't for mine, I probably wouldn't be here:rolleyes: . When I bought my first road bike, my parents helped me out a little by giving some outdoor jobs to make extra $ and they said they would buy the helmet (purdy grey Giro Atmos at that:eek: :D ). But, when they ride bikes, they don't wear helmets because "they go slow", according to them. All it takes is just one car or one fall.

[Veronica]

I and every other taxpayer out there ends up footing the bill, one way or another, for injuries sustained by people who refuse to take basic, low cost, and commonly accepted safety precautions.

Do you also lecture people who smoke, over eat, do drugs, drink to excess, engage in unsafe sex, drive over the speed limit, don't get their shots, refuse to go to the dentist, don't exercise, etc.?

I have a great deal of respect for the cyclists I was riding with. They are not stupid or irrespsonsible people. They have incredible bike handling skills. They have evaluated the risks and decided that they don't always need helmets. It has nothing to do with being "cool" either for these people.

Making a judgement about someone you don't know is not very respectful. It's like junior high school. They're not wearing the "uniform" so they're not real cyclists.

Whatever.

V.

[mimitabby]

I guess if people are going up and down a country lane at 8 mph without helmets and there are no cars allowed on the street, that's okay. I agree, there are some instances when not wearing helmets is probably okay, but I have a feeling that people who opt out of helmets aren't being selective about when they are opting out. It's just like the seatbelt story. It's a habit. you're not going to use the seatbelts on the interstate and NOT buckle up when you're just driving to the park.

I just saw the picture of the little boy's helmet broken in 3 places after a vehicle ran over his head. The boy is alive thanks to the helmet. One of the reasons we wear helmets when "we don't need them" is to model this safe behavior to children.

[Kitsune06]

No kidding. With respect to "Helmet Hair" Honestly, there are SO many ways around that now. I think one of the biggest I've seen are the pretty silk headscarves... It's not just a religious article; it's a fashion statement!

I bike to work, and though it's not a long ride, I slap that helmet on when my hair's wet. Instant helmet hair. I get there and I have all kinds of exciting waves that weren't there before. Fantastic. Some days I need to completely wet down my hair in the sink, dry w/ a paper towel (these are blessedly unlinty) and then finger-comb back into the original sexy red spikes.

I'd imagine longer hair would fare better; at least a little, with new waves and braid/ponytailability.

*shrug*
People can be idiots and thinking people will be eternally flummoxed by the amazing irresponsibility of others.

[Python]

I really don't know why people make a fuss about "helmet hair". Haven't they heard of combs and brushes, hairspray and hairgel etc.?

I've been growing my hair long for the past 18 months and it's at the stage where I can tie it back in a ponytail. I also got a Buff and use that every day. When I get to work I change into my suit, get the brush out and usually put my hair up with a crab-like claw which is shaped like a flower. It looks good, is tidy and keeps my hair out of my face. Going home I just put my hair back in a ponytail and put the whole lot in the Buff under my helmet.

I'd feel naked without my helmet.

In any case, head whacking concrete = OUCH!!! (or worse).

One thing that amuses me though is why men are so vain about their hair (or lack of it):rolleyes:

[smilingcat]

Do you also lecture people who smoke, over eat, do drugs, drink to excess, engage in unsafe sex, drive over the speed limit, don't get their shots, refuse to go to the dentist, don't exercise, etc.?

I have a great deal of respect for the cyclists I was riding with. They are not stupid or irrespsonsible people. They have incredible bike handling skills. They have evaluated the risks and decided that they don't always need helmets. It has nothing to do with being "cool" either for these people.

Making a judgement about someone you don't know is not very respectful. It's like junior high school. They're not wearing the "uniform" so they're not real cyclists.

Whatever.

V.
Hi Veronica,

I do fully respect those who wish to take chances. As I said before accidents are accidents no one plans on having one but they do happen. I consider myself an experienced rider yet I've been in two serious crashes..

Just reiterating what has been said, if they are willing to take the risk, then they need to face the consequences on their own pocket book. Don't expect me to pay for their foolishenss. Pay for the paramedics, the ambulance, the doctors, the scans, the surgery...

Sorry Veronica but I see it slightly different. And yes I do tell smokers, wreckless drivers... They all need to pay out of their pocket. Same for me too.

Shawn

[mimitabby]

Shawn, unfortunately, we DO pay. Everytime a motorcyclist (or bicyclist)
exercises his freedom and liberty by getting maimed in an accident by not wearing a helmet, WE pay because once they can't take care of themselves, the government writes them a disability check and WE pay for that.

[bmccasland]

I also got a Buff and use that every day.... Going home I just put my hair back in a ponytail and put the whole lot in the Buff under my helmet.

slight thread hijack...

Python,
How does the buff fit under your helmet? Does it make things too tight? Or am I going to have to reajust the straps?

Right now my hair is long enough to wear in a pony tail, but when I go get it trimmed, there are these little whispy bits that drive me crazy, sneaking out from under the helmet.

and back on topic....

Yes, I wear mine when I ride my road bike. Got to admit I've been bad when I ride my cruser in the neighborhood and not wear it then. Louisiana state law require kids to wear helmets all the time (not sure of the age cut off) while biking.

[missymaya]

My buff works pretty well for me and keeps it all in place, but this is coming from a woman with short hair.
As for helmets, I think they rock

[LadyinWhite]

I have shoulder length very thick hair. I hated tying it up in a ponytail and trying to get it to work with the helmet. The buff works perfectly, I don't even feel it.

On mother's day I was toodling around the neighborhood street testing out my new Sidi's. I had no helmet on. My neighbor's were all heading out for a family ride - only the littlest one was wearing a helmet. I said to their teenage son "Where is your helmet!!"

He just laughed and said "Where is yours??"

:o

I ~always~ wear a helmet and had, in fact, worn it earlier that day while testing the sidis. Here was the ONE time I had it off and it came back to haunt me.

Sheesh.

[Python]

slight thread hijack...

Python,
How does the buff fit under your helmet? Does it make things too tight? Or am I going to have to reajust the straps?



The Buff's so thin you don't have to adjust your helmet straps at all. My ears suffer badly with the sun and itch terribly no matter how much sun-block I put on. The Buff has helped to stop that. There are many ways you can wear it - and it takes care of the wispy bits of hair (I have a lot of wispy bits). You can also wet it and wring it out to help keep your head cool.

Have a look at their site and the video. Probably the most useful item of clothing you could have in your wardrobe. Here's me with mine (and helmet).

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/fionakidd/PICT0123.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/fionakidd/PICT0124.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/fionakidd/PICT0125.jpg

And if it's cold and you don't want to breathe in cold air...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/fionakidd/PICT0126-1.jpg

Have a look at "The Original Buff Video". Shows you how to wear it (and it's quite amusing):D

http://www.buffwear.com/waystowear.html

Sorry about the further thread hijack:o

[mimitabby]

great pictures, Python!
:D :D :D

[Python]

Thanks Mimi:D Sometimes it's easier to show someone how something works than try to explain it.

[RoadRaven]

Kit and Python... I agree - so easy to "sort" one's hair out once at work.
If I don't have time for a shower when I get there, I have "fudge" which I scooch through my hair after I have wet it from water in the bathroom.
Easy. (Actually, just talking about 'products' - I have just bought one called 'CurlzRok' and thats neat - wipe is thinly through my longer locks and my hair goes wild and unruly - love it!)

Veronica, absolutely in agreement with you about helmet choice. The wearing of a helmet does not change or alter the cyclists ability or reality of being a cyclist. And I think of Le tour, and the hill climbs, where the lads have been allowed to throw their helmets away because it gets so hot... does that mean those in the Tour are not real cyclists...?
We have a cyclist here in the Bay who never wears a helmet - he's an older guy, probably into retirement now. He bikes long distances, though he does not come to our club (he would have to wear a helmet). If he had to wear a helmet, he would not ride. I understand he is claustrophobic... I'd rather see him ride than not at all.

Mimi, I also agree with you in that it costs us - and more than in just a crash and the attendant health/rehab costs. Children model themselves on adult behaviour and this is how I approach the topic with non-helmet wearing cyclists. You see, it is law here to wear helmets and I suggest that these people are modeling illegal behaviour to children. And also modeling to children that to break the law is ok when it suits you.
So it costs us in social attitude and 'un-awareness'.

We have many rights taken away from us in my country, and sometimes a government actually work FOR the people...

We must wear seatbelts in cars
We must travel our children in the rear seat of a vehicle unless there is no seat belt available there
We must not drink alcohol above the 'legal limit' and then drive a vehicle
We must never smoke cigarettes inside in public areas/facilities
We must wear helmets - on motorised and human-powered bicylces

[indysteel]

Let me again clarify that I don't think and haven't said that wearing a helmet is a reflection of a cyclist's ability or legitimacy. However, I think most of us can agree that for the vast majority of cyclists (who are not on Le Tour btw) under the vast majority of conditions, helmets are a smart choice. Not the only choice, but a smart one. I barely notice my own helmet, so it's hard for me to contemplate a situation where I wouldn't just wear it. I'm not a fate tempter by nature though.

Veronica, I'm sorry that you've taken offense to my comments. I meant no disrespect to your friends. For those cyclists out there who choose to forego a helmet, either generally or under specific conditions, then that is their prerogative. While I do not agree with their decision, I do agree, that short of a law requiring helmets, it's their decision to make. I also think, however, as RoadRaven and others have pointed out, that there are legitimate concerns beyond personal choice that should be considered.

I stand by my mantra to new/inexperienced cyclists regarding the importance of wearing a helmet. I feel some "responsibility" as a more experienced cyclist to disabuse them of their notions that accidents can't unless they're on the road in thick traffic. And more than anything I would like to encourage them to prioritize their health and safety over their hair. The minute they offer a better reasoned argument than flat bangs, I'll shut the hell up.

[farrellcollie]

I generally wear a helmet. I do not care if others do or not. I feel the same way about other things I do not do such as smoking, motorcycle riding, bungee jumping, sky diving, and running with scissors. I do think that there is a rush to over-protect ourselves and children these days (and less chance that natural selection will work). Generally I believe that life is not safe and no one gets out of it alive so take responsibility for one's own self based on the risks you find acceptable and go on. I, for example, tend to eat anything in the refridgerator that is not furry, green, or really stinky - expiration dates be damned. (I live on the edge)

[Veronica]

I wasn't offended.

There are so many threads here on TE where someone is "ranting"about feeling like others have judged them. I simply wanted to point out that helmet usage is not an indicator of cycling ability and don't use the lack of a helmet to judge someone.

I'm also not saying cyclists shouldn't wear helmets.

V.

[Jolt]

The Buff's so thin you don't have to adjust your helmet straps at all. My ears suffer badly with the sun and itch terribly no matter how much sun-block I put on. The Buff has helped to stop that. There are many ways you can wear it - and it takes care of the wispy bits of hair (I have a lot of wispy bits). You can also wet it and wring it out to help keep your head cool.


That Buff looks like a good idea--where do you get them? And can it be worn like you had yours but with the ears out? I'm not crazy about having my ears covered unless it's really cold out. Another thing that works decently for the wispy bits (I have a lot of them too, and it drives me nuts!) is a bandanna. I've tried that and it doesn't seem to affect the fit of the helmet.

[Python]

You can get Buffs through the Buffs website (I put the link in my previous post). They're also sold at most motorbike shops and some camping shops too. I've only got the one at the moment but am going to add a few more to my wardrobe as they're so good.

[Eden]

go to the dentist, don't exercise, etc.?

I have a great deal of respect for the cyclists I was riding with. They are not stupid or irrespsonsible people. They have incredible bike handling skills. They have evaluated the risks and decided that they don't always need helmets. It has nothing to do with being "cool" either for these people.

Personally my reasons for wearing a helmet are not because I consider myself to be a poor bike handler or accident prone, nor do I wear a seat belt because I am a poor driver. I do both of these to protect myself from *other* people and from the completely unexpected that can happen no matter how good you think you are.
If you have decided that risking a greater chance of death or life long disability is better than wearing a helmet so be it. If you honestly think that you are accident proof because you are a good cyclist then I think you are deluding yourself. Yes, you can still be killed or injured when wearing a helmet, but I prefer to protect myself as best as is possible. Even if helmets aren't perfect they are better than nothing - and wearing one does not make me any less cautious, as I really like the rest of my body parts in their current configuration too...

[Veronica]

Ahhh... the joys of the Internet.

My point...

Don't judge someone as a cyclist based on what they wear. That's all. My only issue was with the comment about a helmet making you a legitimate rider.

To be honest... the holier than attitude bugs me too. Personal responsibility, I like to make own informed choices rather than have a nanny state.

BTW if you look at the hundreds of pictures of me on our website, please take note of the bright pink helmet.

Although when I am climbing Mount Diablo and it's 85+ degrees I do take off my helmet. For the record there have been no bicycle accidents while climbing Mount Diablo. The Park Service keeps the statistics of bicycle accidents on the mountain.

V.

[Veronica]

S WE pay because once they can't take care of themselves, the government writes them a disability check and WE pay for that.

Yeah, we're also paying for all the people in jail.
We pay for kids to have one on one services in school when they are emotionally disturbed.


There are a lot of things we pay for. I suspect that a lot more of our health care costs come from smokers and overweight people than from someone who crashed while NOT wearing a helmet.

V.

[trekin']

I think people should be free to do what they want. I only wish that parents would think about their children or the other people who love them before their hair....don't people realize that with freedom comes responsibility?

I have had 4 falls since I started riding 3 years ago, and I have hit my head on the pavement 4 times...even the slow motion fall I had in a friend's driveway could have resulted in a concussion...thank God for the guy who invented the bike helmet! I'll take helmet hair any day over a head injury!

[Running Mommy]

I have just one thing to add to this discussion....

Today I was on my mtb at the 4 way stop by my sons school. I take him to and from school via a cool dirt trail, so I was waiting for school to dismiss. I first watched as a woman on a cute little beach cruiser (orange and green, quite fetching- even had a basket on front) came to the 4 way stop. She was towing one of those covered kid trailers (burly type) with two little ones in the back. Not a helmet to be seen! And the kicker- there was traffic at in the intersection and she cruised right through without stopping! :eek:
I just remember thinking to myself "that woman should be brought up on child abuse charges!".
And then a few minutes later a father on a mtb came up with one of those tag along bike things that hooks to the back. He was there to pick up his daughter. Well he had a little guy on the tag along thing and again, no helmets to be seen. He stopped to say hello. I bit my tongue for a minute and then I said to the little guy "hey dude. Where is your helmet? Gotta protect that noggin there" in as nice a tone as I could muster. The father rolled his eyes at me. So I looked at him and said "yeah, you wouldn't roll your eyes if you saw the collection of smashed helmets that I have at home from seemingly minor falls. I'm doing a program at the school trying to get the kids to wear helmets up here. I have a lot of friends that are alive today because of their lid." He just smiled and said "uhh huh" and then took off. And as he was trying to mount the bike it kind of fell over and the kid toppled off. I said "my point exactly" and just smiled.
Holier than thou attitude I had?? Yeah maybe. Some people go around trying to convert people to their religion, I preach helmet use...:)

[crumpincommuter]

I too have done battle this last week with new recruits- who just don't get it... :eek:

Pretty heated discussion here and might I add, none more timely. Especially given that I'm typing while cross eyed and nursing a raging headache; courtesy of... helmet meets granite curbing, inside of helmet introduced to skull.. OUCH!!!

Never more grateful for the invention of polymers; while second guessing driving skills of CT Transit's "finest"..

Needless to say I'll be revisting these recruits when I get back to work ( and grateful about it too).

Closing words--- helmets encouraged but if you choose not to--- be safe and alert:o

[Veronica]

Well just like with religions no one is converting. :)

I stand by adults have the right to make their choice.

Feel free to keep preaching...

V.

[plantluvver]

No, you're putting your judgements on to other people. I rode with some outstanding cyclists this last weekend, who did not wear their helmets.

V.

I agree with the original statement. First because if nothing else, my helmet makes me feel more confident somehow, and I feel this makes me ride better, because I feel less skittish. Second, I feel that my helmet projects the image that I am somehow "Serious and Responsible" to the vehicle traffic. Third, I feel it is important for me to wear a helmet to set a good example for my neighbors' children.

I guess other people may not feel the need to wear a helmet to feel 'legitimite.' But for me it does.

And while I don't personally notice if other adults do wear helmets, I do take offense when they are "wacky" when they cycle (Driving the wrong direction in the bike lane, driving fast on the sidewalk, cutting back and forth from sidewalk to street.) I feel justified in judging their behavior, because I know that many motorists are judging all cyclists by their behavior, and this endangers ME, when a motorist ignores my presence, or treats me as a pest, and not a legitimate vehicle.

Mary M.

[plantluvver]

[QUOTE=indysteel;204992. I hate to tell my friend but my guess is that most, if not all, her patients could give a rat's you-know-what about her hair.
K-[/QUOTE]

Is she in the medical profession:eek:

[Zen]

I have a great deal of respect for the cyclists I was riding with. They are not stupid or irrespsonsible people. They have incredible bike handling skills. They have evaluated the risks and decided that they don't always need helmets. It has nothing to do with being "cool" either for these people.

Making a judgement about someone you don't know is not very respectful. It's like junior high school. They're not wearing the "uniform" so they're not real cyclists.

Whatever.

V.

If these cyclists have a family they are indeed stupid and irresponsible.
if they die, they leave a grieving spouse and children . When someone dies, the grief will always be there though it will fade with time. A wife whose husband dies can eventually find someone to share her life with.

If they don't die and suffer irreversible brain damage the grief continues.
I have a friend who was a triathlete. He was not wearing a helmet when the car hit him. He can barely communicate and needs to be supervised all day. His wife has to attend to his rehab and care arrangements and she no longer has the man she married who was her lover and life partner.
His son doesn't have a father who can give advice and act as a role model

He evaluated the risks and decided he didn't need a helmet either.
I call that stupid and irresponsible.

[Tuckervill]

Salient point, Running Mommy. It's satisfying when things come together that way. :D

On the flip side of asking kids about their missing helmet, I try to compliment the ones who *are* wearing them. I'll say, "whoa, look at that cool helmet!" or "Nice helmet!" as I pass. Some kids want to be thought of as smart, but almost all kids want to be cooooool. :)

I'm a fat chick--I don't cut any slick racing figure on my entry-level bike. But on a ride through the trail at the ballpark this week, a little girl sitting on a bike with training wheels watched me coming and looked up at me as I passed slowly by. She was literally staring at me with her mouth hanging open. I smiled at her and she smiled back. I think she'll be more inclined, not less, to wear the helmet that was hanging off her handlebars, don't you? I think she thought I was a vision of loveliness, maybe.

We can be a positive example. We don't have to preach it.

Karen

[Veronica]

What Canada syas about helemt use...

http://www.magma.ca/~ocbc/fatals.html

Sounds like mandatory adequate lighting would be a better idea. :)

And from the Toronoto Coroner
It must be recognized, however, that helmet use is not a panacea for drastically reducing cycling related fatalities or serious head injuries. Stricter bicycle helmet legislation and mass helmet usage in other countries (U.S.A., Australia, and New Zealand) have failed to produce any statistically significant reduction in the rates of fatalities and head injuries, despite optimistic projections. In addition, compulsory helmet use may result in reduced bicycle usage.

And if you still have an open mind...

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/advocacy/mhls.htm

I'm tired of YOUR governement telling me what I can't do.

V.

[janetsplanet]

As a cyclist now but a "Harley biker" prior, I say Veronica is right on track.
There are pros and cons to helmets and if they are really safe. Fit plays the most important part.

Personally I do not hear as well with one as the wind seems to blow more in my ears.

I saw a severed spinal cord on a Harley crash because of the fit of her helmet.

Coming from WI I participated in the right to chose helmet rallys here in our capital and we won.

Personally I wear a helmet on my bicycle on the road but not on the rails for trails we have here. It is all country driving and when you meet people it may be every 1-2 miles. If I crash then it was preodained and a helmet will not change the outcome.
I say it is your choice and celebrate people for who they are and not what you want them to be.

[RoadRaven]

Ahhh... the joys of the Internet.

Yup... its, erm, interesting to read how people perceive different comments in different ways to me.
I hear ya V!!! I know it was about the link between ability and gear!!!
And yes, I have noticed your helmet, and just by wearing it when it is not a legal requirement you make a statement. :)


Personal responsibility, I like to make own informed choices rather than have a nanny state.

This is what we have... aside from the safety laws I listed earlier, which I can live with (we have a significant reduction in child and adult hospitalisations, brain injury and deaths in car and bicycle crashes), we also have insane laws and bylaws...

Like not being able to plant a certain type of tree because in Autumn its colourful leaves wont 'match' the valley!!!
Or having to paint a new house in its final (council approved) colour within 6 months or receive a fine.

[mimitabby]

I have just one thing to add to this discussion....

And then a few minutes later a father on a mtb came up with one of those tag along bike things that hooks to the back. He was there to pick up his daughter. Well he had a little guy on the tag along thing and again, no helmets to be seen. He stopped to say hello. I bit my tongue for a minute and then I said to the little guy "hey dude. Where is your helmet? Gotta protect that noggin there" in as nice a tone as I could muster. The father rolled his eyes at me. So I looked at him and said "yeah, you wouldn't roll your eyes if you saw the collection of smashed helmets that I have at home from seemingly minor falls. I'm doing a program at the school trying to get the kids to wear helmets up here. I have a lot of friends that are alive today because of their lid." He just smiled and said "uhh huh" and then took off. And as he was trying to mount the bike it kind of fell over and the kid toppled off. I said "my point exactly" and just smiled.
Holier than thou attitude I had?? Yeah maybe. Some people go around trying to convert people to their religion, I preach helmet use...:)
What a great story!! how much you wanna bet the kid asked his/her dad when they got home "how come I don't have a bike helmet?"

[SandyLS]

Our adult daughter fell off her horse a few weeks ago. She was not wearing a helmet. She suffered two skull fractures. She is home from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. She is a very lucky woman! We all wear helmets when biking and her kids wear helments when on the horse. I guess life is a dangerous thing. I'm begining to think we should srap the helment on when we are born and take it off only when we are sleeping. With my luck I'd then fall out of bed and hit my head! I guess a helmet didn't help Christopher Reeves prevent his injury.
I stopped to tell a lady who comutes to work how lucky she was to live close enough to do so. (It would be an 80 mile trip for me.) I couldn't resist asking her to please wear her helmet. I see she still isn't wearing one though.
At my age I need to do everything I can to preserve brain cells.

[Python]

Last winter I needed to pop up to the shop. As I came out my front door I caught my foot in the small frame as I closed the door (still don't know how I managed to do that:rolleyes: ). I twisted and fell backwards. Fortunately the back of my head struck the grass and not the concrete path. We'd had frost but the temperature had gone up so although the grass was hard, it wasn't as hard as it had been so my head wasn't as badly hurt as it could have been. It hurt a bit and I had a small lump on the back of my head and that was just a minor tumble. Coming off the bike and landing head-first on the road would hurt an awful lot more and due to the speed factor, would cause a lot more damage so I'd rather let the polycarbon take the brunt of that damage.

When I bought my son his first bike some years ago, I bought him a helmet to go with it - and he was told "no helmet - no bike". He wore his helmet. Most of his pals thought it was "cool" but helmets then were a lot heavier than they are now. Apart from the obvious, I like my helmet because it has a peak on it which helps keep the sun out of my eyes.

I think it is down to personal preference and I wouldn't condemn anyone for not wearing one.

[missymaya]

My BFs grandpa tripped over a foot rest, hit his head, went into a coma and then died a week later, and he was by no means weak in any physical manner. Not saying that we all need to wear helmets when walking down the street or going to the grocery store and to be super paranoid about getting injured doing menial tasks, but if walking through the living room and tripping and hitting your head can lead to that, then riding a bike and falling over (which I would guess can happen more often than tripping in the living room and bonking your head pretty hard) could probably lead to the same conclusion. If I can prevent that just by doing something as simple as wearing a helmet, then that's what it'll be. As I said earlier, I've fallen hard twice and if it weren't for my helmet, I probably wouldn't be here.

[KnottedYet]

I have a fetching mangled and scarred eyebrow and deformed brow-bone from a bike accident without a helmet.

That was 30 years ago, and sometimes it still aches.

I always wear a helmet now, replace them as needed, strap them on right, etc. I do miss the good old days when bike helmets were THICK plastic and foam, but I guess I understand the rationale behind the newer designs.

Helmet education so folks can make their own decisions seems like a mighty good idea to me. It makes me absolutely nuts, though, when I see a parent wearing a helmet ferrying a kid *without* a helmet. We have low cost/free helmet programs for adults and children in our area. I have to wonder if parents knew about these programs if they'd still not bother with getting the kid a helmet "cuz he'll just outgrow it in a few months anyway."

[Eden]

Speaking of kids helmets - I have a really basic kids helmet that's been worn once (I forgot mine and needed to commute home, so I went to Target and bought a cheap one). I would like to give it to a kid who doesn't have one for free if any of you local gals knows someone who needs one. I think its a kids large and would probably fit best for a pre-teen. I'd give it to Cascade, but I don't know if they would take a helmet out of its packaging.

[Python]

It makes me absolutely nuts, though, when I see a parent wearing a helmet ferrying a kid *without* a helmet.

I notice a lot of parents here out with their kids (either the kids are on their own bikes or sitting on a seat on Mum/Dad's bike). The kids have helmets on...but the parents don't:confused:

Not setting a good example for the kids are they?

[dingster1]

Yeah yeah... I know. I don't wear mine like I should. Bought the elephant...er ummm... son a bike today so I'm gonna have to be more vigilant about wearing mine.

[RolliePollie]

A good friend of mine is an ER nurse who says anyone who doesn't wear a bike helmet should at least be an organ donor so someone else can benefit when they crash.

I'm not one for making more and more laws...pretty soon, I think it's going to be illegal to eat while driving a car in California. So I'm not sure where I stand when it comes to making helmet use the law. But, based on the fact that in my 3 short months of riding, I've already hit my head on the pavement once and have almost been hit by cars twice, including once just this morning, there is no way I'm riding anywhere without that thing on my head!