Occasional or regular non-bike helmet cyclist?

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks to everyone who posted about my helmet dilemma. Many good points were raised and some I had not really considered before. To clarify, this would be riding a beach cruiser bike, single speed, slowly, mostly on unpaved roads or beaches, totally flat. But I could certainly be hit by a car when riding on the road, even though there are many fewer of them than on the US roads I ride.

I've actually been on web sites looking at urban helmets, which I think would be less conspicuous, but the problem that a couple folks alluded to is that they are barely vented, and Belize is hot and sunny. The ideal helmet would probably have many vents and be white, but also have a brim to help with the sunshine.

I agree with those who say that I should not attempt to convert the locals, and I won't. That's not my style, and attempting to bring in or import a boatload of helmets would be difficult in a third-world country as well. We'll be on an island, and helmets aren't even sold in stores there. I also think, like crankin's experience, that the locals might reject them out of course. It's just not part of their culture.

Yes, I know I'll look different even without a helmet, but wearing one just increases the level of perceived difference.

Shootingstar's point about medical care in case of an accident is a very important one. The medical care in Belize is fairly basic, and serious injuries could require a trip to Mexico or even back to the US. That might be reason enough to override all else and wear a helmet no matter what the down side.

Thank you all!

[blackhillsbiker]

In all my crashes, I've noticed that my neck is not strong enough to keep the side of my head from hitting the pavement. I've cracked 2 helmets and dented a third. One crash was for no good reason (I'm still not sure what happened), one was cornering too quickly on ice, and one was being hit by a turning truck. I don't want to decide anything for anyone else, but I won't ride without a helmet. I know they can't prevent any injury, but I also am glad that the crack was in my helmet and not my skull.

I just bought my daughter a new bike, and a very cute new helmet. It's one of the retro-rounded ones. Goes well with her Townie. She's seen my cracked ones. She didn't want to leave the LBS without a helmet.

Just my .02¢

Deb

[chicago]

Never wore a helmet as a kid, noone did... born in 1962... a kid in the 70's, wearning helmets was just not the thing to do...

As an adult, I do wear a helmet when I ride... however my fiance does not. His choice. There are people who get really upset about it, I tell them he's an adult and can make his own choices. They ask what kind of example is he setting for others... I tell them "I can only do my best to set a good example for me... what my fiance does is his choice, I have no control over that". He's a good man... I don't like the fact that he doesn't wear a helmet, but it's not a deal breaker for me. Some people get really upset about that, and that's their choice too.