Advocacy & Safety - Confesions of a Helmet Hater

Hello,

I have decied to post here about my experiences with Helmets and cycling. I have been road riding for many years and have had my share of minor crashes and have never worn a helmet. I know how wise it is to ware one, I know how much safer I'll be if I do. Nonetheless I choose not to. Why? I thought about this some and here are my answeres

1. I don't have one

2. They are funny looking

3. I don't like things on my head.

4. No law says I have to.

5. If I did break down and get one I would feel like I was giving in to peer presure.

When I was 14 I was doig a 100K pay ride and some dude on an Italian race bike yelled at me for not wearing a helmet. Since then no one as yelled at me though several people have politlely mentioned it. But maybe there are some other non helmet wearing folks could confirm this for me. Seems like anytime I am around other riders they give me mean looks and I get weird vibes from them, is this just me or does that happen to you.

Troll post. Where is that troll picture to christen this thread?

It's your head... :)

2. They are funny looking

Sounds as though you are giving into peer pressure by not wearing one, and not the other way around. Don't worry about what other people think. You know any other cyclist out there will know what it is and what it is for. Plenty of people wear them - you won't look odd in one no-matter how wierd you think they look. I've worn one and don't ever plan on stopping. I've been hit by a car on the road and taken plenty of tough falls on the trail into hard objects. You couldn't convince me not to wear one if you tried.

The incident with the car (in which the helmet cracked right down the middle) was pretty violent. When the ER doctor (after I woke up) told me I would be dead without the helmet, I pretty much decided looking cool didn't matter.

Everyone can decide for themselves. This post wasn't meant to criticize you in any way. Just sharing my thoughts.-Moab

If you don't want to wear a helmet, don't. Just understand that people may give you "weird vibes" and sometimes even yell at you for it because they do not want to see another cyclist put into a coma or die when it could have been avoided by wearing a friggin helmet.

Hit 3 times, all 3 I was blindsided, didn't see it coming, all 3 not my fault, all 3 helmet was cracked, all 3 I walked away from!

I'll keep wearing mine!

To each his own.

Although I think everyone SHOULD wear one, I'm glad there currently isn't a Law saying you MUST!

L8R

There is a law in washington, or at least seattle that cyclists must wear helmets. It's the same principle as the national "click it or ticket" law. These laws are made because a few people refuse to do what's best for their safety. When someone doesn't wear a simple safety device their injuries end up costing tens of thousands of dollars instead of $50 for a check-up and $50 for a new helmet. gattm99: Wear a helmet. Because when you crash one day and your brains splatter over the road I won't be able to tell you "I told you so."

I kinda agree with you. We don't, after all, wear them when walking, and I like having cycling be an ordinary part of my life.

On the other hand, while riding to class in Seattle almost exactly 27 years ago, some fly-brained cager in a white Caddy pulled out in front of me. I was going full speed down a steep hill, and the impact crumpled the bike and sent me flying over the car, tumbling in midair. I landed right on the top of my head, knocking me out for twenty minutes.

I've worn a helmet ever since.

Paul

Originally posted by gattm99
maybe there are some other non helmet wearing folks could confirm this for me.is this just me or does that happen to you.

Read the "helmet use" or "Culture of Fear" threads just below.

Originally posted by montlake_mtbkr
There is a law in washington, or at least seattle that cyclists must wear helmets. It's the same principle as the national "click it or ticket" law. These laws are made because a few people refuse to do what's best for their safety. When someone doesn't wear a simple safety device their injuries end up costing tens of thousands of dollars instead of $50 for a check-up and $50 for a new helmet. gattm99: Wear a helmet. Because when you crash one day and your brains splatter over the road I won't be able to tell you "I told you so."

Montlake I am a helmet advocate but it is true that you are required to where a helmet in King County and other jurisdictions you do not have to wear on in the Seattle city limits and there is no state law requiring one.

Originally posted by gattm99
4. No law says I have to.

indeed.... free country


Originally posted by gattm99
When I was 14 I was doig a 100K pay ride and some dude on an Italian race bike yelled at me for not wearing a helmet.

likely because organized events often have rules that all riders must wear helmets (for insurance and safety reasons)

it's all your choice in the end though...

welcome to the forums :)

2. They are funny looking

If I worried about the comments my WIFE and CHILDREN make about me in bike shorts I would just lay on the couch all day and never get on a bike.

I have never had a crash. My children have never had a crash.
I insist we wear them when we ride......The end. Cause I'm the DAD!:D

Originally posted by gattm99
1. I don't have one.

Neither did I until I bought one.


2. They are funny looking

You will be too if you crack your head without one.


3. I don't like things on my head.

Like bandages after nasty accidents?


4. No law says I have to.

No law says you have to breathe but you're likely to die if you don't.


5. If I did break down and get one I would feel like I was giving in to peer presure.
So instead you give in to the peer pressure of the anti-helmet tribe.


Seems like anytime I am around other riders they give me mean looks and I get weird vibes from them, is this just me or does that happen to you.
No - that doesn't happen to anyone else. You're just paranoid. Likely cause is a nasty knock on your head at some time. Maybe you should have been wearing a helmet.


I know that I've given some very flippant answers to your reasons for not wearing a helmet, but your reasons were pretty shallow.

There are many people who disagree with helmet use who can give much more informed reasons for not wearing helmets. While I don't agree with them, I can at least understand where they're coming from and see that they've thought their ideas through.

If you would rather not wear a helmet - fine - but don't try to pass off the ideas you've expressed as intelligent reasoning.

You forgot the best reason for not wearing a helmet: Supplemental Health Coverage.

Since I signed up for that crap at work if I fall to the pavement and split my head open its a PAYDAY! I've been looking for a reason to cash in on some of that!! My wife and child will be so suprised when they see me drinking Dom and smoking hand rolled cubans in the ICU. Me hurt brain? Uh oh...

I pedaled to work about an hour later than usual today, right during the time when all the kids were going to school. I had thought that most kids were pretty good about wearing helmets, but that changed today. Of the 20-25 kids (mostly early teens) I seen only 2 were wearing helmets. That surprised me.

Originally posted by gattm99
1. I don't have one

2. They are funny looking

3. I don't like things on my head.

4. No law says I have to.

5. If I did break down and get one I would feel like I was giving in to peer presure.

About the lamest set of reasons I've ever heard for not wearing a helmet.

Maybe we could help you add to the list:

6. I can't find one in lime green.

7. If I fall on my head, it'll break the helmet and I'll just have to get another one.

8. They don't make them with titanium chin straps.

9. A helmet would interfere with my noise cancelling headphones.

Anyone else want to help add to the list??

Originally posted by gattm99
...I have been road riding for many years and have had my share of minor crashes and have never worn a helmet. ...
When I was 14 I was doig a 100K pay ride and some dude on an Italian race bike yelled at me for not wearing a helmet. .... Seems like anytime I am around other riders they give me mean looks.


I mostly ride solo, but when I ride with others, I don't care how they are dressed -- and yes, that includes what they have or don't have on their head. I will give you funny looks if you cycle unsafely, if, for example, you weave in and out of parked cars, don't cycle in a straight line, don,t stop at stop signs, etc.



BTW, I happen to wear one.


Regards,

Hey well I've read all the replies and you guys did a great job answering my post, especially the troll guy. I have to admit your arguments are pretty good but in my defense let me say this.

1. I knew this was stupid post to begin with.

2. I only made it to see what you guys would say.


NOW go back and read over this and put your self in my place. I'm not asking you to risk your life and go for a ride without a helmet, just imagine what it would be like to be one of the few who chooses not to wear a helmet. Don't you see how you guys make it for people like me. I'm not asking you to scoop my brains off the road, I just want other riders not to treat someone who rides without a helment like he was infected with SARS.

For the guy who is worried about me wrecking and racking up thousands of dollars in healthcare costs, I have no form of insurance, but probably make too much money to recieve any aid so I would probably die, but in all fairness I don't smoke and am pretty good health so I probably make up for what I take.

Open invitation if anyone would really like to see me where a helmet then buy me one and send it to,

Matt Gholson
115 W Church St.
Harrisburg IL. 62946

Thank you

Originally posted by gattm99
NOW go back and read over this and put your self in my place. I'm not asking you to risk your life and go for a ride without a helmet, just imagine what it would be like to be one of the few who chooses not to wear a helmet. Don't you see how you guys make it for people like me.
No Matt - you go back and read over the posts.

As I said ...
There are many people who disagree with helmet use who can give much more informed reasons for not wearing helmets. While I don't agree with them, I can at least understand where they're coming from and see that they've thought their ideas through.

As supcom said ...

About the lamest set of reasons I've ever heard for not wearing a helmet.

The thought that is coming through is not that you don't have a right to think differently, simply that your reasons were lame.

If you gave a well reasoned argument for your stance the posts would have been very different.

Even though it is aginst the law to do so here, I ride past riders without helmets everyday. I don't give them nasty looks or yell at them. I think quietly to myself that it's their choice for whatever reason. I don't agree with them but I don't hassle them. If any of them tried to challenge me as to why they don't, or why I do, wear a helmet I would respond. That is the case here. I couldn't care less if you wear a helmet but you thought it was such a big issue that you started a thread about it. Your reasoning was lacking and several people have pointed that out to you.

Well, it won't kill you to wear one, will it?

I used to ride without one, but after I saw some scary accidents with other people on their bikes, I got one. I wear it religiously now. You never know...

Koff

By the way Matt, please don't be scared off by the strong responses you're getting on this thread.

We really are a friendly bunch. I know you've only posted a couple of times so far and so I want to say welcome. It's good to have you here and we look forward to getting to know you a little better over the coming weeks and months.

Tell us a bit more about yourself (apart from your aversion to headwear :D).

Originally posted by MediaCreations If you gave a well reasoned argument for your stance the posts would have been very different.

Well speaking from experience, I disagree.

Just suggest a contrary opinion on helmet wearing and you're likely to be vilified.

:(

To the author of the first post:

Sir, I think it is not nice to share such a negative (dangerous) thoughts. It's same as promoting smoking, alcohol, drugs, different kinds of violence or abuse.
You know that all your reasons are not worth serious consideration and that it is wrong to look at helmet safety this way.

We should keep in mind, there are some children reading this posts, as well as easily influenced people.
Hope you don't want anyone of them to be hurt because of your shared non-safe ideas...

http://home.teleport.com/~jadam/jeff_alejandra/jeffs/bike/helmet.jpg

Well lets see a little about me, I'm 24 years old, live in Southern Illinois, which is for the most part a friendly little place. I teach art at the High School, Junior High, and Elementary levels, (all in the same day). I ride bikes. I started riding road bikes when I was 14. I am a big guy, I ride an Italian race bike, Pinarello, from the 80s though, and a Schwinn Rocket 88 mountain bike.

I am not really in that good of shape but can usually average 15 or 16 without to much trouble. I managed 90 miles last year but didn't want to do the last ten miles all that bad. I am really overweight and if I lost about 60 pounds I would probably be able to ride with just about anyone.

My brother is a faster rider then me, he proved it tonight, I think it was because he was wearing a helmet and I wasn't, he wasn't afraid to dash across busy intersections. Also I think that aerodynamically he had an advantage.

I like to make people mad a little bit. I am very interested in Individual rights. I voted for Nader in the 2000 election. I dislike George W Bush. I like to listen to Bob Dylan, and The Counting Crows.

When I ride a bike I wear a pair of green shorts and T-shirt. I owned a pair of lycra shorts once but just couldn't bring myself to wear them often.

I think the bicyle companies are under the control of giant conspiracy conglomerates that want to keep cycling a fringe activity since it has the potential to revolutionize our society and destroy the hierarchy of corprate power that dominates our world. I think thats why they try to make cyclists look like freaks.

I think alot of bicyclists are elitest snobs and I think alot of other bicyclists are cool folks.

I ride on a red Brooks B-17 saddle and think it's the greatest place in the world to sit.

I have a short beard and messed up black hair.

I am off all summer long and really really want to do a tour. I don't think my pinarello is up to carrying baggage though.

If I ever did wear a helmet it would be lime green and have a Titanium chin strap. I think I would try to find a way to graft it onto my head so I could never risk a head wound. I would let my hair grow up through the air vents. I need to start wearing shin gaurds to protect my legs from dogs, I also need a chest protector if I ever fall off my bike.

I would still like someone to send me a helmet or anything for that matter, see earlier post for address.

For more of my brash attitude see

www.viablehiatus.com

Later yall.

Originally posted by gattm99
I like to make people mad a little bit

....


I would still like someone to send me a helmet or anything for that matter, see earlier post for address.

For more of my brash attitude see

www.viablehiatus.com


Did someone say "troll"?

I'm sorry but anyone who shows up on a bike forum, posts some of the oldest and lamest anti-helmet arguments around, then purports to post their name and address (I don't know if it's his real address, nor do I particularly care), can only have one intention as far as I can see.

Originally posted by gattm99
I think the bicyle companies are under the control of giant conspiracy conglomerates that want to keep cycling a fringe activity since it has the potential to revolutionize our society and destroy the hierarchy of corprate power that dominates our world. I think thats why they try to make cyclists look like freaks.


Yeah, right. You're on to us. You can expect a visit from the men in black lycra.

I guess we can cut him a little slack.

He has a warped sense of humour and he listens to Bob Dylan. He can't be all bad.:D

Originally posted by MediaCreations
I guess we can cut him a little slack.

He has a warped sense of humour and he listens to Bob Dylan. He can't be all bad.:D

See Rodney if you from the states you would understand, you have to give him a little slack he's from Illinois after all :D

Originally posted by gattm99
I have a short beard and messed up black hair.
You could hide your messed up black hair if you wore a helmet.;)

Don't get me started on the helmet thing but I like the fact he voted for Ralph Nader.

"I think the bicyle companies are under the control of giant conspiracy conglomerates that want to keep cycling a fringe activity since it has the potential to revolutionize our society and destroy the hierarchy of corprate power that dominates our world. I think thats why they try to make cyclists look like freaks. "

Great Scott! Asian and European Anti-Bike Fashion Nazi's are trying to destroy bicycling from within by making us guillible Americans wear helmets, tights, and colorful ad-covered shirts! :D

Umm... If bicyclists looking like freaks is suppose to be its downfall, explain to me the popularity of NASCAR? You know, the billboards flying around in a circle at 200mph for several hours? How about all the boy-racers in their splashy, slammed Asian cars? Or crotch-rocketeers on their sticker-encrusted motorcycles? Or Harley-riding H.A.s wearing a vennison jacket that looks like something Daniel Boone would wear? Or Mod's and the mirror fetishes they have with their Vespas? All of them pilot some weird vehicles. And all of them have some odd fashion sense. Yet most of them are still going on strong.

And from what I've read about the rest of the world, (You know, the land outside the USA?), bicycle clothing style is de riguer within their circles. Like any fashion.

I don't think the people on this forum are mad at you for bringing up a very tired argument. I think they're quite annoyed at how narrow your thinking is. And if you are who you say you are, you should know better. I sure wouldn't give your excuses for not wearing a helmet a passing grade if you were in my Critical Thinking class.

Why not just say, "I don't like wearing a bicycle helmet"? Straight, simple, to the point. It'd be the truth and you'd still get the same effect on the forums. But you wouldn't come off sounding like some sort of snotty highschool kid that just likes riling people up for fun. I hate to tell you this, but they aren't riled up at your "profound" ideas.

Let me introduce you to Matt.

http://www.viablehiatus.com/matt.jpg

I've just visited Matt's website. (www.viablehiatus.com) He wants more hits on the site so why not drop in and see Matt in all his glory. You'll start to understand where he's coming from.

Matt's a funny guy and is just having a little fun with us all - aren't you Matt?

The more incensed we become - the more Matt likes it. Matt knows that his ideas don't hold water - but that makes it so much more fun for him.

Matt has had his fun and now it's time to get back to normal and let this thread die a natural death.

Thanks for getting an interesting thread going Matt. We look forward to hearing more about your cycling escapades.

Finally, we must always remember: DON'T FEED THE TROLL.

I have one
I wear one sometimes - new places espicially trails with branches
When they passed the motorcycle helmet law I wore it on my knee.
It's your head do with it what you want
If some one proposes it as a law - kill them

Joer

Originally posted by MediaCreations If you gave a well reasoned argument for your stance the posts would have been very different.


Originally posted by closetbiker Well speaking from experience, I disagree.

Just suggest a contrary opinion on helmet wearing and you're likely to be vilified.

I just re-read and I have to take this back. I did get viified, but only by a select few. Most all were just giving their best arguments and disagreed.

However I did get,

" closetbiker is obviously a troll...you are being condescending...you don't believe in helmets for cyclists...you are trying to disuade people from using helmets...I totally disagree with your campaign to convince people that there's no reason to wear helmets... My god man! You are the poster child for not wearing a helment, Thank God you'r not in the US...You won't be riding with me closetbiker. I'll see you on the produce aisle then...with as hard a head as you have, perhaps you are right that you don't need a helmet...Do you even read what you write?"

all for suggesting to put things in proper perspective.

:(

And,


Originally posted by Chris L
one who posts some of the oldest and lamest anti-helmet arguments around,

I've got to agree! These were some LAME arguments!

WARNING TO CHILDREN OR THOSE WITH WEAK MINDS READING THIS POST COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Media Creations got me just perfect but I don't understand why everybody thinks my arguments are LAME.

1. I don't have one

Pretty self explanitory if I don't have one how can I wear one. Why don't I just buy one? I explained that with #5

2. They are funny looking

This is a matter of opinion I know and I don't mean to say that all of you guys who wear helmets are funny looking, but it's just what I think. Sorry

3. I don't like things on my head.

I wore a helmet once on one ride and it bothered me the whole time. I am more comfortable without one. I'm sure if I wore one all the time i would get used to it.

4. No law says I have to.

This is my stupidest reason because even if there was a law that said I had to I just wouldn't

5. If I did break down and get one I would feel like I was giving in to peer presure.

Now this all ties back to my central complaint which is helmet wearing cyclists make non-wearing cyclists feel like dog dudu. So if I ever did decied that my head needed protecting I wouldn't want to wear a helmet because I would be justifing the nastyness that everyone has given me.

ANYWAY thanks to all who replied, this will be my last post in this thread because media creations is right it needs to die. In the future the worst thing you could when a yahoo like me makes a thread like this is reply like this

RE: Confesions of a Helmet Hater

Hey that is great you do what you want to do and I'll do as I want to, please ride safely and respect other riders and they should do the same to you.

Keep on Riding


Later

GHOLSON

Why is it cyclist look like Mork from Ork. They put an egg on their head, dress in spandex and assume people who don't are an inferior alien race. You go Matt, the best defense is to use your brain to ride safely and avoid accidents.

Nanoo Nanoo

Originally posted by gattm99
I don't understand why everybody thinks my arguments are LAME.

Hey don't worry that some may think your arguments are lame. You have free will and choices you can make for any reason.

Lots of people make good or bad choices for good or bad reasons. Some stumble into greatness and others are unjustly punished. So goes life.

;)

It is the law here in New Zealand that EVERYONE must wear a helmet. All organised races/rides have rules pertaining to this also.

Brendon
:beer:

I said this before and I will say it again. All you anti helmet folk, it's ok not to wear a helmet because that is and should remain your choice to do so. But don't spout off about how ineffective they are and come up with some balony stats the prove your point. If you really want the true scoop on the value of helmets, just go down to any emergency medical place and ask any nurse and/or doctor there if they think helmets on bicyclist is useless and stupid. But I know you anti helmet folk won't do that because the truth would scare you then you would have to face the fact of not wearing a helmet and take your head into your hands, or wear one and let your pride go.

Cyclist not wearing helmet= Potential organ donor....not at all a bad thing.

I have to admit, I just broke down and visited Matt's site. Amusing in a weird kind of way, and I definitely agree with his thoughts on valentine's day.

Originally posted by froze
just go down to any emergency medical place...

...and for every cyclist there, you'll see 1,000 of these. (let's keep things in perspective)

Originally posted by closetbiker
...and for every cyclist there, you'll see 1,000 of these. (let's keep things in perspective)
Nice stats you make them up again besides thats not the point if you are going to argue the point do it with out the lame arguments try something like I just do not like any one telling me what to do and I don't want to wear a helmet. when you include non relevent stuff it give us pro people ammunition to shoot back at you.

" Nice stats you make them up again"

- check out the Heart and Srtoke foundation of Canada - "Cardiovascular disease accounts for the death of more Canadians than any other disease. In 1998 (the latest year for which Statistics Canada has data), cardiovascular disease accounted for 79,389 Canadian deaths." and the average yearly death toll for cyclists in Canada according to Health Canada - 70.

Heck, every year in Canada, on average, 100 people choke to death on BALL POINT PENS! Maybe we should place some kind of guard on pens!

And, how ironic that the first post I make in response to an attack to a different point of view, I get accused of making stuff up when it's common sense heart disease is the biggest killer and cycling is known to combat heart disease, after I post apologizing that most on this forum make reasonable arguments and don't vilify because I might present an argument that some might not have considered.

O.K., maybe I'll just give in and believe the helmet will save more lives than persuing proper road use and improving cardiac health ever will.

:rolleyes:

Originally posted by closetbiker
O.K., maybe I'll just give in and believe the helmet will save more lives than persuing proper road use and improving cardiac health ever will.

I'm still waiting for one of the anti-helmet brigade to tell me what's so wrong with utilising all of the above options. They are not mutually exclusive.

Originally posted by closetbiker
" Nice stats you make them up again"

- check out the Heart and Srtoke foundation of Canada - "Cardiovascular disease accounts for the death of more Canadians than any other disease. In 1998 (the latest year for which Statistics Canada has data), cardiovascular disease accounted for 79,389 Canadian deaths." and the average yearly death toll for cyclists in Canada according to Health Canada - 70.

Heck, every year in Canada, on average, 100 people choke to death on BALL POINT PENS! Maybe we should place some kind of guard on pens!



Well that statistic is actually really bad since there only maybe 500 riding bikes!! The rest of the population don't ride so there having heart attacks and the few left are dumb enough to attempt to swallow a ball point pen and the guard can't possibly help because they would swallow that too!!!:D

Give us a break, there are only 31 million people living in Canada, there are 35 million living in California alone and none of them choke on pens!!! Of course we have moved on to computers so it's a little hard to choke on those!!! We also have almost 7 million registered vehicles in LOS ANGELES COUNTY ALONE whereas Canada only has 17 million spread out over an area 3,849,675 square miles; whereas California has 163,707 that's almost 213 cars per square miles vs just over 4 cars per square mile for all of Canada! DUH, it's no wonder Canada has fewer bike related deaths and injuries! California had 17,669 bicycle injuries from 1991 to 2001 while Canada had 15,895, and California has averaged 133 deaths per year. When you compare the number of cars per square miles California is doing a FAR BETTER job than Canada is at keeping their cyclist safe.

For the guy who is worried about me wrecking and racking up thousands of dollars in healthcare costs, I have no form of insurance, but probably make too much money to recieve any aid so I would probably die, but in all fairness I don't smoke and am pretty good health so I probably make up for what I take.

Actually, what would happen, is that the hospital would HAVE to admit you AND treat you. They'd send you a huge bill, that you probably would't have the ability to pay on a Teacher's salary. You would default, and after two years of sending you bill statemets, they would write off your bill as a loss, and it would further increase the hospitals expenditures which as a result would cause them to charge higher prices for the care they provide in order to recoupe some of their losses. So, in other words, we (all taxpaying Americans) would see an increase in our medical expenses as a result of arrogant, naive, self-righteous people like you who do not have the sense to wear a simple, lightweight and potentially life saving device.

I choose to wear a helmet to protect myself. I recommend you do as well. If you choose not to. Please make sure you DO have health insurance. I'm sure your school district does provide coverage, so if you do (hopefully NOT!) have an accident on your bike, or in your car, or house, or supermarket you will not be a financial burden on ME!

It is a matter of personal choice, but your personal choice comes with personal responsibility. If you want one, you must have the other!

BTW, I'm guessing you live by a "do as I say, and not as I do" philosphy. If not, I'm wondering what kind of example you are setting for your students????

p.s., I don't like troublemakers and their ilk. I think you are one of them and have added you to my "ignore" list. Please do the same to me!

L8R

Cycling improves the condition of the heart:)
Helmets do protect the head:)
What's the point?

Originally posted by Chris L
I'm still waiting for one of the anti-helmet brigade to tell me what's so wrong with utilising all of the above options. They are not mutually exclusive.

Bravo, bravo bravo!!!!!!!

Although I have to concur with Closetbiker in that if I had to take the lesser of two evils, I would rather someone get on a bike with or without a helmet than to light up a smoke or get in a car to drive two blocks for a light errand, inebriated,


I also have pointed out in the past that these are all mortality statistics . Unfortunately, we don't have the morbidity statistics or prevention of disability and sickness rather than death due to not wearing helmets. It is obvious bike riding in general is still healthier for the heart, lungs etc. than not bikeing. That is not the issue with me.

As I previously stated, noone bothers reporting how a helmet saved them from severe disability except on a bike forum. Thus, it does not get into the "statistics"

In addition, from purist medical view, the mortality statisitics have all been comparing bikers vs. drivers vs. heart attacks etc. and there has never been a subgroup analysis amongst bikers ie: of the 170 bicycle deaths, how many were not wearing helmets 160 out of 170 or only 5 out of 170?

An analogy would be that all people with high blood pressure as a whole have a higher mortality than the general population. However, if I do a subgroup analysis, those who take their blood pressure pills, within that population, they have a lower risk of morbidity ie: strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure ending up on dialysis as well as mortality with respect to their blood pressure counterparts not taking their blood pressure pills. (All these clinical studies already take into account their exercise level) Does that mean taking blood pressure pills are useless just because as a whole hypertensives still have a higher mortality rate than the rest of the general population? That is the power of subgroup analysis vs. utilizing general mortality statistics on wether people should be using a pill, controlling their blood pressure or diabetes, or using a helmet etc.