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

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 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 . . .

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!

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.

[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.

[crumpincommuter]

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

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

[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

[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.