Helmets

[horserider]

Hi,

I ride horses, but a lot (not all) people who ride horses wear equestrain safety helmets. I always wear a helmet whenever I ride a horse. I was wondering do you guys always wear a helmet whenever you bike? If you pay more do you get more in a bike helmet? If you bought a bike helmet that made you look "cool" would you be more inclined to wear it? Also are there any standards that helmets need to be certified by? I am just wondering these things since horse riding and bike riding both involve wearing helmets.



horserider

[makbike]

Horserider, I never get on my bike without my helmet properly placed and secured on my head just as I never drive my car without my seatbelt buckled. Both devices are designed to save my life in the event of an accident and therefore I use them to the best of my abilities. When I first started riding back in the 1980's I remember visiting a bike shop. The owner, a gentle man, asked me if I had a helmet. I honestly replied "no." He asked me if I liked my brain and I replied "yes." He then went on to say - if you have a wreck I can fix anything that gets bent or broken on your bike but if you don't wear a helmet the doctors won't be able to do the same for your brain. I purchased a helmet and the rest is history.

Fast forward to two years ago, a student in my school was out riding her ATV she took her eyes off the road, went down a ravine, hit a rock and drove her head into a tree. She suffered major brain injuries and though she has made amazing progress she will never be the same and her future has forever been changed. Why take the chance? I can't help but wonder if her injuries would have been far less severe had she had a helmet on her head. It is a question that can't be answered but in my heart I feel I know the answer and it is simply "yes."

Okay, I'll get off my soap box.

[horserider]

i will never ever ride any horse without a helmet. for my birthday i got a pretty serious helmet, i look cool in it so that will be more of a incentive for me to wear it. it does fit properly. i don't ride bikes but if i ever do i will wear a helmet.



horserider

[KnottedYet]

I wear a helmet every time and for every ride.

I've had one accident (involving a car) without a helmet, and never want to do that again. Ever.

[Zen]

Don't get us started on helmets again

Try a search on this forum for helmets, see what you come up with.

Everyone wears a helmet, helmets have to pass safety standards, and you don't necessarily get a more protective helmet just because you paid more for it.

[rij73]

I took a little fall last weekend that could have been worse had it not been for my helmet. Wear one every time you go out... period.

All helmets on the market are certified. Spending more gets you lighter weight and more ventilation - not more safety.

[indysteel]

Don't get us started on helmets again

Yes, let's not get into that debate again.

In addition to the three-year general rule for replacing helmets, I'd add that you should get a new one if your helmet sustains an impact during a crash. Even if it looks "fine" to your naked eye, I've been repeatedly told that it should be replaced.

[Fredwina]

Hi,

I ride horses, but a lot (not all) people who ride horses wear equestrain safety helmets. I always wear a helmet whenever I ride a horse. I was wondering do you guys always wear a helmet whenever you bike? If you pay more do you get more in a bike helmet? If you bought a bike helmet that made you look "cool" would you be more inclined to wear it? Also are there any standards that helmets need to be certified by? I am just wondering these things since horse riding and bike riding both involve wearing helmets.

horserider

let's see if i can answer your questions:
1. always, religiously. I feel weird without one on.
2. A very good question! The answer is....
Maybe Generally, the more you pay, the more vents, pretty colors, and other nifty stuff you get. However with less vents, you get less foam, which is what actually does the impact protection. Consumer Reports did a test a few years back and a $30 Trek came out #1 in impact protection, beating out $150 ones - I usually go for $100 one, but I live on the edge of the California desert ( we got 40+ day of 100+ temps a year)
4. Cool? i'm Fredwina! "cool" escapes me! I usually go for one that look Cool tempurate wise (see my answer to your last question).
3. All Helmets sold in the US must pass CPSC(Consumer Products Safety Commission, aka your tax dollars at work) Not sure about outside of the US. CPSC certs started around y2k, so some people may talk about some "outdated" standards"

[horserider]

thanks everyone for answering my questions


horserider