Two of my sons and myself have fallen off the bike over our years of riding and been "Saved by the Bell". When I fell and broke my collar bone, I was going very slowly but hit my head hard on the ground and the helmet cracked. Without it, I surely would have had a head injury. I would not go down the driveway without a seat belt in my car, and would not go down the driveway without a helmet on my bicycle.

We have a very popular rail-trail near us, The Virginia Creeper Trail Virginia Creeper Trail and, although the crowds keep me away most of the time, our cycling guests like to ride it. It kills me to see families without helmets on weaving down the trail. There are some rocks (oh no!) along the edge of the trail and some people have hit them. I would like to stop the parents and ask them if they ever thought they or their child MIGHT fall off.

There are so many "arguments" that kids use against them so here is a web site that has some "retorts." From the Brazos Valley Cyclists web page.

10 Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Excuses for Not Wearing a Helmet!