helmets are not optional

[Mr. Bloom]

Helmets are great.. but what really grinds my gears are people who have them just kind of sitting on the back of their head or they just don't fit properly. What's the point if it's not going to stay on anyway?

To clarify...this is when I intervene. It's the folks who have a false sense of security that benefit from the awareness & education. The folks who don't care? I agree with KSH and f8th on that (although I silently disapprove...)

In the wreck I described tonight, cycling buddy had two tiny scapes over his eyebrows from impact. If his helmet was on the back of his head, he would have had a serious head trauma...and just 20 minutes before, I had demonstrated to him the proper position for the helmet (he's a fairly new rider)...and I'm glad I did.

[lph]

Yeah - I'm with those that don't get it, but don't get upset about it either.

That's not quite right, it upsets me a *little* when I see someone decked out like a lean+mean French racer dude on a hotshot fast bike winging down a busy road without a helmet, for the same reason that it upsets me a little when obviously good rock climbers lead pitches without a helmet, because it gives the impression that "kids, if you're good enough, you don't need a helmet".

On the other hand, it is their head and their life they're risking, and I can't force people to be good examples. Nor do I feel that people should be good examples at all times.

But the average joes out trying what it's like to ride to work or whatever, riding slowly and staying way out of traffic - I don't worry too much about the lack of a helmet. If I can I try to mention it as a friendly tip, and tell them about the times it's saved me from head injury, and about the time not wearing one gave my dh a bad concussion and 8 stitches to his head.

But I do wear a seatbelt. Never know when some other idjit is going to rear-end you, people do the strangest things in cars.

[Crankin]

Well, I do get upset and I do care. I am sorry if some think that we legislate too many things. Meg, you summed up my opinion, perfectly. I'm not a nurse, but sure, don't wear your helmet or your seatbelt. When you crash, and you will, "we" will be paying for it. Especially if you don't have health insurance. My state has a new mandatory health insurance law. It is reasonably priced and covers a lot of stuff (my son has it). People complain about that, too.
I went through a car windshield when I was 15. I have not been in a car without wearing a seatbelt since then. And in 1969, I don't think anyone else wore one.
One time, I said something to a a young teenaged couple who were holding their baby on their lap, no car seat. They got enraged and tried to follow me. I just drove home and they gave up.
Until people think about the consequences of not following safety rules, I will keep saying stuff to them.

[OakLeaf]

Oh goodness, I didn't expect to see this debate on this board

I have no passion left on this issue. I've been online on motorcycle boards for over 15 years now. I'm not interested in talking about helmet legislation and I'm not interested in hearing other people's opinion about it.

There are things I would like to say related to the medical/industrial complex in this country and its unholy alliance with the insurance industry. About insurance companies' threats and scare tactics, and about the pricing of medical services. If we want to drift this thread that direction - although I expect the level of censorship on this board won't allow it - then I'm in.

[farrellcollie]

My underlying point here is that life is not safe and that what someone decides to do with their body is none of my business. For all of the people who get upset about helmets (or lack thereof) another group gets just as upset that we are on the road at all because of how dangerous it is. the one and only time I wore high heels - I fell off them (and they were not very high or spiky) and broke my ankle - but I don't feel the need to tell everyone else not to wear them - despite evidence that they can deform feet, cause back pain etc. (of course - an argument can be made that if I cannot walk in high heels - I should not be on a bike at all, let alone on the road on a bike. Rollerblades should be right out).