Don't wear a helmet? I'd like to know why.

Hello All,

I'm admittedly new to the community, but Julie H. told me this group is amazingly diverse and very (hopefully) willing to offer their honest opinions on issues in the Cycling community.

Here's a little background. I'm a reporter from RedEye, and I'm looking into what seems to be a more controversial issue than most people thing: Actually wearing a helmet. I've heard from some great people on both sides, but in the interest of a balanced perspective, I would love to hear from some folks who choose NOT to wear a helmet. I've seen some people say it's a vanity/comfort issue, and others who question the effectiveness of the practice.

Whatever the case, I would be very interested to hear your opinions on the issue. I can be reached most quickly at mswasko@tribune.com. Also, if you have comments you'd like to post in the thread, I will be watching.

Thank you all very much for your help.

mick

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Permalink Reply by Noah Weiss 1.2 km on May 20, 2012 at 2:27am
Because I started biking when very young, my parents insisted that I wear a helmet when biking. I never had a problem with it, and have continued to wear a helmet when biking at almost all times. If not a regular bike helmet, it was a hard hat when I was going to sporting events.

But then after November 22 of last year, when I got hit by a car, my policy has strictly become "No helmet = no ride." The helmet cracked in the impact which shattered the windshield of a car, likely saving my head. The head is the most important thing to protect on your body!
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on May 20, 2012 at 9:43am
In my case it's comfort/vanity also if I get hit by a car a helmet will do nothing but keep my brain alive as I realize the rest of my body is wrecked. (and it is pretty much anyway)
Permalink Reply by Jeremy on May 21, 2012 at 3:24am

I used to leave the helmet at home if I was running a quick errand or going out and not going far.  Then I got doored on my way home from work.  Thankfully I did have a helmet on, b/c I flipped all the way to the pavement after my legs hit my handlebars on the way off.  Could have been 2 flips, might have only been 1.5.  Things got a little fuzzy.

My clearest memory, as my helmet scraped along the pavement as I was completely upside down straight up and down in the air like a breakdancer, was thinking "at least I have my helmet on."  The sound it made dragging along the roughness of the street pretty much crystalized things. Definitely saved some scalp and some hair, probably saved a concussion too.  I don't care if you don't wear a helmet, but you won't see me without one.

Permalink Reply by Derek on May 21, 2012 at 6:07am

For the first few years of trail riding in rural Wisconsin I never wore a helmet.  One day I was going for few block ride to grab an ice cream when I hit a pothole had my chain jump and went over the handlebars.  It all seemed to happen in slow motion.  My arms reaching out in front as I supermanned over handlebars but they buckled under the impact and I went skating along the top of my helmet-less head for a moment before tumbling.   After hearing the sound of my skull grating on asphalt no helmet = no ride.

It took almost 2 years of commuting in Chicago before wearing a helmet saved me from serious injury.  A broken finger and shattered helmet seems like getting off easy though. 

Permalink Reply by Crank on May 21, 2012 at 9:45am

+1 for helmets.

For me, wearing a helmet is an insurance policy against all the random variables I can't account for in my ride...potholes, car doors, absent minded peds, etc. I have and will heal again from bumps and bruises but will likely not recover well, if at all, from a serious head injury if not protecting my brain.

If it's uncomfortable you probably don't have a proper fitting helmet and should play with the straps; or buy a new one. 

Cost shouldn't be an issue because you can buy one for relatively cheap that is still held to the same safety standards as more expensive ones. The increased cost is in the venting system, design and brand name so safety is not compromised.

It's time to get over any reservations about not wearing a helmet and protect your most important asset ....so you're ready for the next ride.

Dave Grossman said:

+1 for Helmets

You can't compare riding in Chicago to Holland or elsewhere with a significant cycling infrastructure.  It is apples to oranges.  

When I hit a pothole on my way home from work going 18 mph a few weeks ago and my head bobbed off the pavement three times, I was sure glad I had on a helmet.  I might not be typing this right now otherwise.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on May 21, 2012 at 3:24pm

THIS. Seriously, if you don't wear a helmet -- especially in the States where drivers are typically oblivious to cyclists -- then you are unnecessarily putting yourself at the mercy of idiot drivers and bad pavement.

Crank said:

+1 for helmets.

For me, wearing a helmet is an insurance policy against all the random variables I can't account for in my ride...potholes, car doors, absent minded peds, etc. I have and will heal again from bumps and bruises but will likely not recover well, if at all, from a serious head injury if not protecting my brain.

If it's uncomfortable you probably don't have a proper fitting helmet and should play with the straps; or buy a new one. 

Cost shouldn't be an issue because you can buy one for relatively cheap that is still held to the same safety standards as more expensive ones. The increased cost is in the venting system, design and brand name so safety is not compromised.

It's time to get over any reservations about not wearing a helmet and protect your most important asset ....so you're ready for the next ride.

Dave Grossman said:

+1 for Helmets

You can't compare riding in Chicago to Holland or elsewhere with a significant cycling infrastructure.  It is apples to oranges.  

When I hit a pothole on my way home from work going 18 mph a few weeks ago and my head bobbed off the pavement three times, I was sure glad I had on a helmet.  I might not be typing this right now otherwise.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 21, 2012 at 3:32pm

I guess we all have our defintion of what a moron is.

To me, a moron is someone who can't tear down and reassemble a Sturmey-Archer hub from memory.

To each their own...

Adam Herstein said:

THIS. Seriously, if you don't wear a helmet -- especially in the States where drivers are typically oblivious to cyclists -- then you are unnecessarily putting yourself at the mercy of idiot drivers and bad pavement.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on May 21, 2012 at 3:35pm

I corrected my original post because I thought "moron" was too harsh of a term. Still, I would not feel safe cycling on the streets of Chicago without a helmet.

James BlackHeron said:

I guess we all have our defintion of what a moron is.

To me, a moron is someone who can't tear down and reassemble a Sturmey-Archer hub from memory.

To each their own...

Adam Herstein said:

THIS. Seriously, if you don't wear a helmet -- especially in the States where drivers are typically oblivious to cyclists -- then you are unnecessarily putting yourself at the mercy of idiot drivers and bad pavement.

Permalink Reply by bk (aka: Dr. Mambohead) on May 21, 2012 at 4:27pm
It is a surprise to me that I can even ride a bike with my gigantic cranium. I should tip like a bowling ball on a pool cue. I can barely find hats to fit nevermind a helmet.

More to the point?.. Where my life and my health are involved?.. Howzabout I make decisions for myself and my own body? My body. Myself. Sound familiar? Good! I am consistant that way. How about I will worry about my gig, you worry about yours!

Besides, can anyone absolutely guarantee a helmet will keep me alive?

Yeah... right... I get a helmet and I get sexy and even my ideas become magically more valid because I protected my thinky-part!!!!! I broke some ribs riding this past bike-winter. I guess I should buy a flak-jacket... And every step-ladder should come with a helmet! Let's pad every sharp corner! People in cars get head injuries. Hey... stupid/unsexy driver... where is your helmet?!?

I saw a picture of Eintein, with no helmet, riding a bike... What a dolt!!!
They had helmets. So? Anybody who wears a helmet is smarter than Albert Einstein. As long as we are comfy lying to each other? Food... Chocolate, beer? Taste BETTER when you wear a helmet. Yes.... As true as the manipulative "sexy" tripe!

Must it forever be our simian doom to point and fling dookie at the thing dissimilar to us? To forever be ape-ish evangelists? Shrieking and flinging?

Some people wear helmets and some do not. Move on Billy Graham, Get out on a bike and make that a hobby instead of projecting judgement, fear, worry and control.
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on May 22, 2012 at 12:02am

Permalink Reply by Jimmy Jam on June 1, 2012 at 8:41am

I don't wear a helmet because if I fall off a bike so bad that I needed one, I hope for death. 

Permalink Reply by Scott on June 1, 2012 at 10:07am

I do not wear a helmet on my dutch bike, but I do on my road and touring bikes.  I feel that the upright riding position on the dutch bike, and its much slower speed, make it much safer.  If I fall, I will fall on my feet.  On the road bike, on the other hand, I feel like I will fall on my face if I crash.  Also I ride my dutch bike in all types of weather, and having an appropriate hat makes the ride much more comfortable.

I think this distinction is why Europeans think we are so crazy for wearing helmets all the time.  I read a cartoon in a German newspaper that said when ladies fall off their bikes in Germany they land on their bums, when they fall off their bikes in the USA, their asses fly straight up to the heavens and they land on their heads.

edit: I should add that I have over 15,000 miles on my dutch bike on chicago city streets over the years and have landed on my feet every time I have fallen off.

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