Funny that you'd say that with a picture of Jan in there, you know, the pro who crashed into the back of his own team car.

Using automobile traffic as a defense for wearing a helmet is not going to get you anywhere. Even the smallest car can easily crush a cyclist.


and wasn't there a big thread just a few days ago about a bad crash w/ injury on an MUP?

I hope Lance, the other racers in the pictures, and the ride partner you polled about stay out of Iowa, lest they get that damned "helmetless organ card". heh

Freedom of choice is the trump card here.

Your new riding partner has the choice to not wear a helmet.

You have the choice to voice your opinion of that.

He has the choice to tell you his opinion of your opinion.

And you both have the choice to ride together with that understanding or not.

bottom line: if you do end up riding together voice your opinion once allow him to respond and then let it be- ain't nobody's business but his own.

I think there is a distinct difference. Wearing a helmet is not simply a matter of fashion. And I have not demanded anything of him yet. Just wondering if I should.

How are bright yellow clothes not a matter of safety? They are definitely more visible. So would you wear all bright yellow if your ride partner insisted? Why or why not?

I think there is a distinct difference. Wearing a helmet is not simply a matter of fashion. Neither is wearing yellow jerseys... Or my favourite - how about he demands that you carry a rabbit foot. There is about as much evidence that they save lives as there is that helmets do...

I recognise Armstrong but whose the rest of those guys? the third one down looks like Ghandi :p

I just thought of the most dominant riders since the push for the wearing of helmets in their modern form, was on. Then I thought about it, and they have been all the Tour winners from '89 excepting Bjarne Riis.

http://www.cyclingphotos.freeserve.co.uk/cycling1/riis.jpg

There was Steven Roche and Pedro Delgado in between Lemonds wins, but i didn't think they dominated in the "helmet era" as the others, just as Riis hadn't.

Lemond, Armstrong, Pantanni, Big Mig and, Ulrich.

I am the lone dissenter. I would not ride with that helmetless person. :p

I somewhat agree with you. I might finish that first ride with the hatless one then beg off of future rides. Helmets are a reasonable safety measure like riding on the correct side of the road and signaling turns. If any rider is going to ignore their their own safety are they then going to have any concern about yours?

If any rider is going to ignore their their own safety are they then going to have any concern about yours?

Yeah, right. What rider is going to try to crash, let alone take someone else down on purpose?

". If any rider is going to ignore their their own safety are they then going to have any concern about yours?"

Well done! A new level of paranoia - Not only is a helmet an essential safety device, but the everyone who doesn't wear one is out to get you, or at least unconcerned about your safety. You should get one of those chrome coloured jobs to protect yourself against cosmic rays while you are at it.

What is just as likely is that the folks riding next to you without helmets are more accutely aware of their vunarability. I rarely wear a helmet, I put a lot of energy into riding carefully. I expect every little crash to hurt a lot. There are probably some Nihilist about helmet use, seems a comon pose amoung the other kind of biker, the ones with the skulls on their gas tank. But among the average cyclist I don't get that vibe. Even the leather clad skulls and flames crowd are probably actually life afirming - maximizing their opportunities to get laid, as they see it.

I think what's ridiculous is a lot of people who say helmets don't really work all that well and don't believe in them also believe in washing their hands after taking a pi** or s**t, I mean, is that really necessary??
Whatever's on your hand after you wipe your ass is probably no dirtier than the computer keyboard at work anyway.

I think this is the most intelligent post so far. Seriously.

I think this is the most intelligent post so far. Seriously.

Well, there's a measure of a man.

Man, what color is the sky in your world?

Unfortunately its been pretty grey and wet the last two weeks.

Unfortunately its been pretty grey and wet the last two weeks.

I hear ya there, brutha. :(

This thread cracks me up!

*wonders where his helmet is.....*

I wear one, but do not think that it is an insurance against stupidity. If it reduces risk then groovy (and it does reduce risk). It will not eliminate risk, and only an amazingly naive person would truly believe that.

A friend who has recently taken up cycling wants to ride with me. However, last time he showed up without a helmet. I offered him one of mine, but he refused. I know it will be his brains that get splattered in an accident, not mine. So my question is, should I care and should I insist?

Sure thing, insist politely, beg if you have to , and shed some tears because you care so much.

I just want to shyly admit that I love Totoro(the character). Even my father, when he saw me watching it on TCM last week was hooked and watched the entire movie, wtf? He hates anime in general, btw.

/Does not wear a helmet

Just an update. I took your advice and didn't complain about the helmet thing. A few days ago I am riding with him and he asks me for advice on buying a helmet. I guess if I had complained, I may have lost a ride partner. Now I have a ride partner with a helmet after all.

I think there is a distinct difference. Wearing a helmet is not simply a matter of fashion.

So you think gloves and bright jerseys are for fashion? I always wear a helmet and gloves, but frankly I would rather avoid the accident than just survive it. Therefore I also don a bright jersey, orange and reflective ankle bands, and a blinky. I also ride VC. I think to not wear a helmet is stupid, but contrary to what many people believe, they are not the be all, end all of safety.

Since this is a friend, you may want to ask why he doesn't want to wear a helmet. That info may help direct you.