General Cycling Discussion - Do you [helmet wearers] ever NOT wear a helmet on a ride?

I'm normally a helmet wearer. I wear it on solo rides in the city and suburbs, I wear it on group rides, I wear it off-road...

But there are times -- on a well-kept road closed to automobile traffic and country roads that I know well -- that I hang my helmet from my handlebar and pull on a cap, or even just let the wind blow through my [very short and bristly] locks.

What about you?

I feel about the same way. When I know I will be out for a while I will wear it, but when I make a quick trip to the post office or the quickie mart I usually do not wear it.

I have found myself though wearing it more and more on those short trips. Never know what may happen.

Originally posted by ridealot
Never know what may happen.

That is so true. It's like driving and wearing/ot wearing your seatbelt.... you can be the best driver in the world, but the a-hole around the corner and hits you straight on. Then it's too late.

Feel Buck-Nekkid without it.

About twice a year I will roll out the driveway without it, feel the breeze and realize I need to go back and grab the brain bucket.

I have heard of too many people who have sustained serious head injuries just falling down. I don't take any chances with the noggin. Rarely, if I have just reassembled or adjusted something, I might jump on and ride around the block without putting on the helmet, but even then I usually grab it. Once I got dropped off at the bike shop to pick up my bike, got ready to head out and realized I had not brought my helmet. I was nervous all the way home, about 10 miles. I was also embarassed to be seen by knowledgable riders.

I am anxiously awaiting a Giro Pneumo my LBS ordered for me. I know it is extravagant, but I save enough money by riding my bike to work that I feel justified treating myself. Besides, my noggin is worth it.
Rainman

I don't think it is worth not to wear a helmet. Skull fracture are always bad. It happens easily.

Once every three month I leave my house lock everything and realize that I left my helmet inside. If I really go round the corner I don't go back to get it (unlock the house, undo the alarm, etc). Even then I feel it is stupid not to wear it. Any other times I wear it.

Have you noticed? Over here, you seldom see a motor cyclist with a helmet (even though it is a legal requirement) but most cyclists wear one.

anxiously awaiting a Giro Pneumo
Rainman, what happened to BF's top bargain hunter? ;)




Never know what may happen.
I always wear my helmet!!!
I have two friends who say they never wear a helmet unless they are riding fast (over 10 mph).
I advised them to always wear one!! I told them that every time I have fallen or crashed, I was going less than 5 mph.

I am allowed by my wife to ride a lot and spend money on biking on the condition that I always wear the helmet, so I do. I have a beautiful 1yo daughter and I'd like to see the rest of her life; I'd rather not be dead or a vegetable.

Big Advocate for helmet use here!!!! If I didn't have one on, I'd probably be typing (If I could) like this, "uugh whooo kat uuuugh aaahhh" That'd probably be the way I spoke as well.

The only time I don't wear one is immediately after working on my bike and take a quick test ride up and down my block. I live on a dead end street so there is little to no traffic. (I live at the end of a one-way street, I go home, but can never leave. -Steven Wright)

There have been too many times when I've crashed and ended up with a hugh headache, with my helmet on! I always image how I'd feel if I didn't have it on, OUCH!!!!

Originally posted by RonH

Rainman, what happened to BF's top bargain hunter? ;)


Ron,
Some things just don't go on sale though I know my LBS will geve me a little discount. I am kind of an opportunistic bottom feeder species of bargain hunter. If I see something cheap and I need it or want to stock up (like socks, gloves, caps) I go for it. If it is something I need, I go the the LBS for bigger things or just order on line for little stuff. I always go to my LBS for things they stock like tires, tubes, bar tape, etc. I love a deal if it falls in my lap, but I don't spend time looking for the best price on something I need or want. A reasonable price is fine.
Regards,
Raymond

Not so long ago thee was a thread under advocacy and safty " helmet saved my life tonight" (started by Mike back on July 17) after reading some testamonies and horror stories I made a vow to ALWAYS wear My helmet while riding.


Originally posted by snoop_dujour
I have to admit I dont always wear my helmet, I use all the excuses, "Its too hot" ,"just going for a short ride" ECT.
Well after reading your posts I SWEAR I will ALWAYS wear my helmet no matter what. I now realize that no matter how safely I ride, there is always the chance of somthing happining. I payed alot of money to educate my brain (still paying student loans) It would be a shame for all that go to waste.

Cheers,
Snoop DuJour

that was July 19, since then I have'nt rode without my brain bucket firmly planted on my head, and never will.

cheers :beer:
Snoopy D

Originally posted by Palafo
I'd rather not be dead or a vegetable.

I have a family friend that didn't wear his helmet. He's been lying in a hospital bed for seven years now. All he can muster is to stare at the ceiling, cry and moan. Totally gone. Meanwhile his girls have grown, married and are begining families.

My four year old son loves to ride his bike every chance he gets and the first thing he does is grab his helmet.

I always wear my helmet.

I simply always wear my helmet. That is all. Mind you, if I'm only just going "around the corner" or something, I just walk, so I don't need a helmet for that (unless there's magpies around :cry: )

Chris

Once after some heavy dentistry I actually WALKED into a metal rail jutting from a window. I was not, of course, wearing a helmet. And I was loopy for more than a week. The weird thing is, I kept bumping my head on other stuff and making matters worse. Later, I read about head injuries, and the odds of you getting a second head injury after a first is very high, because you are disoriented.
This was before I got back to riding my bike, but it was another reason I do not mind the helmet. Plus, since my last stint at biking, helmets seem
more comfortable, cooler... I guess they are always improving the tech.

Just one other question, why would someone bother paying the money to get a helmet just to put it on the handlebars. I see it happen quite often around here, and I've never understood it.

:confused:

Chris

I do on occasion not wear a helmet.

I started riding long before we had the things, so it feels "normal" for me to not wear one.

The thing is, when I don't wear a helmet, the rides are very short and I don't ride the way I would normally with a helmet on. I go slowly and stay way out of the way of traffic. I was out mountain biking with a friend and he was wearing a helmet and I wasn't, he'd go bombing down hills I had no intention of ever getting near with or without a helmet. The fact that I didn't wear one made the decision to not descend those hills pretty much of a no brainer. (Pun intended)

I'm not saying that it's OK to not ride without a helmet, I just think that assuming you are safe and can ride into the middle of traffic or take other unneeded chances just because you are wearing helmet is foolish.

Rule #1, never ever trust a motorist to do the "right" thing. I assume most drivers are psychotic and would love to run me down.

Rule #2 Wear the helmet even though you think your riding habits are safe.

I was hit 6 times by cars during an 11 month period once, all without wearing a helmet and never once did my head come close to hitting anything hard.

I also went through 3 helmets in the span of a year, two of them cracked in the temple region. If I wasn't wearing a helmet, I'd probably not be here at all.

Helmets are cheap. I usually wear one, but when I choose to not wear one, stay off my case please. I'm an adult and it's my choice, no amount of badgering, pleading or reasoning will change that. I might thank you for your concern and then procede to ignore you.

Wearing a helmet has become such a habit, I feel naked without it. I can hardly go for a quick after tweak testing ride down the street and back without it.

I guess it's a good thing!!

Originally posted by RainmanP

I am anxiously awaiting a Giro Pneumo my LBS ordered for me. I know it is extravagant, but I save enough money by riding my bike to work that I feel justified treating myself. Besides, my noggin is worth it.
Rainman

Why didn't you get the Briko Twinner you wanted?

The only time I am without a helmet is when I am checking out der alignment and stuff. Any other time...I swack on the old coconut shield.

A friend of mine makes the argument (stated by another here) that he thinks he would take more risks with a helmet on, so
he doesn't wear one. There is something to the argument that it has a psychological effect (people in giant metal cages known as cars take even bigger risks). However, I don't want a broken arm or leg, either, so I am careful regardless of the thing on my head,
which frankly feels like bare minimum safety not a guarantee of anything. Now, if I was wearing body armor, I might feel invincible, although it would be hard to get above 2 mph. Nobody wore helmets when I was a kid, and I must admit to resisting the idea at first, but I did a lot of stupid things when I was a kid, and just because I survived does not mean those things were smart,
however delightful the memories.

Originally posted by Palafo
so I am careful regardless of the thing on my head,
which frankly feels like bare minimum safety not a guarantee of anything.

This is true.

I have a friend who was commuting to work and was wearing his helmet but made the third grader mistake of tying a sweater to his handle bars. He was decending a hill doing about 30 mph and the arm of the sweater got tangled in his front spokes and brakes.

His face ended up looking like sushi, but his brain wasn't damaged.

A helmet is no replacement for common sense.

Originally posted by fubar5


Why didn't you get the Briko Twinner you wanted?


I'll tell ya, Fubar, my man, and it may sound silly. The Twinner is a very distinctive helmet. Many serious riders, the racing type, would recognize it in a second. The Pneumo is more "normal" looking and does not stand out as much. I am still self-conscious about being marked as a poser. For the same reason, it will be a while before I feel comfortable wearing the beautiful Panaria team jersey I just bought. I will stick with my Coolmax T-shirts and solid color jerseys. When I get my weight down to 180 or so I will feel better about such things. Having said all that, I may be getting the Twinner anyway. My LBS buddy told me the Pneumo is on backorder until late September. I told him to get me a Twinner if he could, otherwise I would wait for the Pneumo. We will see what fate brings.
Regards,
Raymond

Originally posted by RainmanP


I'll tell ya, Fubar, my man, and it may sound silly. The Twinner is a very distinctive helmet. Many serious riders, the racing type, would recognize it in a second. The Pneumo is more "normal" looking and does not stand out as much. I am still self-conscious about being marked as a poser. For the same reason, it will be a while before I feel comfortable wearing the beautiful Panaria team jersey I just bought. I will stick with my Coolmax T-shirts and solid color jerseys. Regards,
Raymond

I understand. :D

I always wear my helmet.

Several years ago I was on a test ride around the block after tweaking something on the bike and a dog ran in front of me. I hit it and did an endo, fortunately landing on my shoulder, instead of my head.

That was the last time I went out, even for a short ride, without the helmet.

Dave,
After reading all these posts, and especially yours, I will not even ride around the block without the brain bucket!
Thanks,
Raymond

Yikes, i too am going to make that pledge right now, to never ride my bike without my helmet again. I have in the past, taken my bike for a quick spin around the block, or to a buddys house without my helmet, never again!

Originally posted by Palafo
A friend of mine makes the argument (stated by another here) that he thinks he would take more risks with a helmet on, so
he doesn't wear one. There is something to the argument that it has a psychological effect (people in giant metal cages known as cars take even bigger risks).

I think someone who takes additional risks just because they happen to be wearing a helmet has other issues that they should be more concerned about.


Originally posted by Palafo

However, I don't want a broken arm or leg, either, so I am careful regardless of the thing on my head,
which frankly feels like bare minimum safety not a guarantee of anything.

That is exactly right. I wear a helmet because I want the protection that provides, but I also want to avoid other injuries too, so I don't do stupid things.

Chris

You have to remember that I put on many, many miles before helmets were around. The only thing we were required to wear when I first started racing was a hair-net, nothing else. It wasn't until 1988 when we were required to wear helmets.

There is a point to helmets and taking risks, it is a fact that many people assume that they are being safe just because they are wearing a helmet. The fact is that you are only being SAFER when you wear a helmet and what you do while you ride a bike will also contribute to being SAFER.

Make sure your brakes are working as is the rest of your bike, too many cyclists are just accidents looking for a place to happen.

The only time I take it off is on a steep accent. Especially a fire road or something with no cars. It's crazy not to wear one. At least I am sold on them

I ain't gonna lie... I hate wearing helments and usually don't. I have an old styrofoam-jobber-do and I have used it a few times, but normally I come up with an excuse to leave it in the garage.

I am looking for a better helment that might be a bit more comfy... but, the most important thing for ME is to pray for divine protection and I would still put more stock in the prayer even if I wore a full suit of armour!

I mean... tangling with a car or truck wearing a little bicycle helment will reap very little payabck.

I know this will rile some, but it's my opinion so have at it....

Originally posted by s_boy
I am looking for a better helment that might be a bit more comfy...

Believe it or not, you'll actually get used to it eventually. I don't even notice mine these days. I think I'd notice if I rode around without one, though.


Originally posted by s_boy

but, the most important thing for ME is to pray for divine protection and I would still put more stock in the prayer even if I wore a full suit of armour!

Each to their own. I personally prefer not to trust the contents of my head to someone or something else without first taking all the steps that I can to protect them.


Originally posted by s_boy

I mean... tangling with a car or truck wearing a little bicycle helment will reap very little payabck.


As I said before, anyone who rides in a more dangerous manner just because they happen to be wearing a helmet has other issues they should be concerned with. A helmet won't ward off a car or a truck. However, there are other hazards out there, too. It's those that I worry about.

I mean, if a car or truck decides to kill you, there's bugger all you can do about it at the time in any case (apart from very fast evasive action), so I prefer to worry about things I have some control over.

Chris

Most of the time when I was hit by a car, it was low speed stuff. People coming out of parking lots etc so I could brace myself and roll when needed.

There was one time though that the guy hit a group of us at around 60 MPH (that's 97 KPH) and I went down, cracked the helmet and was able to walk away. Very sore the next day, but I knew what day it was and all the other neat stuff you can take for granted if you don't think about it.

The most serious collision I had was not with a car, it was with a curb. I slid out in a corner and slid across some greasy, wet pavement (like you find on busy city streets in a rainstorm). My head hit the curb and smashed my helmet to pieces, I had no chance to protect my head any other way and I wasn't going that fast. My head was the focal point of all the energy of the fall. I walked away from that one too.

You can get some really cool helmets these days and they don't have to be that expensive. I got my nephew one for $15 that was perfectly fine and he loves it. If you wear sunglasses, you can look even cooler.

I've run out of stories about friends with bad luck.

As I said at the start of this thread, I'm normally a helmet wearer. Cycling can be a dangerous sport -- I understand the safety value of a bicycle helmet, and I'm normally willing to put up with the slight inconvenience of wearing one.

On the other hand, there's danger and then there's danger. Riding in traffic on a city street is dangerous; it is the location where you are probably most likely to have a serious accident. Riding in a paceline can be dangerous, too -- one kiss of wheels at 40km/h and you're road pizza. Mountain biking can be dangerous; I have crashed dozens of times more often on my MTB than I have on my road bike.

However, I find that riding on a quiet closed road, like the 15km stretch along Ile de Couvee in Montreal, is considerably less dangerous. The likelihood of a crash is greatly reduced. That doesn't mean that I WON'T crash there, only that I believe if I'm riding alone or with one other person in good conditions and not in a paceline, the risk is reduced to the point where I feel comfortable hanging my helmet from the bars.

Sure, I might still crash, but I might also be hit by a car walking to the depanneur, or a branch might fall on my head while I am out cross country skiing. I don't plan to wear a helmet at all times of my life, either.

I think a lot of people don't cycle because they think it's dangerous, it really isn't.

Statistics would suggest that everybody wear a helmet every minute of the day until they are 40 because head trauma is a leading cause of death until that age. After that, other things start to kill us off.

There are times when I'm in the garage or a closet poking around and I wish I was wearing a helmet, I stand up and bump my head on something.

Chances are that inactivity will kill you sooner than cycling. Go to

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesitytrends.htm

and check out what is killing people in the US. It's not bicycles.

Once I hit a car going about 18-20 mps. The car was parking and I had rain and dirt in my eyes. I smashed my knee, and got knocked unconscious. When I checked my helmet it had a dent and crack right where my temple is. I may have been hurt badly or even killed if I didn't have it.

So I am sold like I said before. I don't usually tell this story given the parked car thing. But, I thought in this case it might be worth a little embarrassment. So:

If you are new to cycling and aren't set in your ways. Try to get used to wearing helmets.

About the Helment~~~ Yes, Yes, Yes~~ Until I discovered the pleasure of a good set of earphones on my rides~~~ (good=too large to accomodate the helment too)~~ So, I compromised~~ If the scenario is calm enough that I can listen to Yanni or Enya mellow me out (absolutely no vehicle traffic or not a lot of people on secluded trail)~~ I opt for the phones, but with helment ready to use if needed~~ :D

Originally posted by bvelo
Once I hit a car going about 18-20 mps. The car was parking and I had rain and dirt in my eyes.

You know, if I was cycling in the rain on a street with traffic, I'd wear my helmet. But the situation is different on a long country road where you can see and hear traffic approaching for 5km in either direction, and you only actually see a car once every 30 minutes.

You can never be too careful, I guess. That's why I see over-protective parents making their kids wear helmets to play soccer...

I'm a safe, careful, rider who never rides against traffic or on the sidewalk(where most adult bike accidents occur). I ride 6000+ mi.\yr. and have never had a close call. I realize I'm taking a risk by not wearing a helmet(just as I'm taking a risk of being struck by lightning walking down the street), but I don't believe the risk outweighs the facts. Helmets are hot, uncomfortable, and ugly. The difference between enjoying or not enjoying riding. If I fall off my bike, I'm not going to crack my head open. If I get hit by a car, that piece of styrofoam isn't going to help. They reduce your hearing and peripheral vision, and can act as a pivot, causing severe neck and spinal cord injury. Kids should wear helmets. You have weighed the risks and made a decision, and I accept and respect that, so please don't hassle me for my decision.

I used to never wear my helmet unless I was off roading on my mountain bike. But when I switched to a road bike where the speeds went from 10mph relaxing rides to over 20mph workouts, I started wearing one all the time. I also sprang a few extra bucks for a nice Giro with twice the ventilation of the old Avenir, which helps the comfort. Now I always wear one

I always wear my helmet and believe everyone else should, too. However, I am not a fascist about it. If you don't want to wear a helmet, then don't wear one. It's your head, not mine.

Cycletourists sentiment is mine as well. I'm libertarian enough to resent laws that tell people to protect themselves. Sooner or later the activity itself will be under attack as well.

As for whether helmets should be worn? Well I spent alot of time on motorcycles and wouldn't ride around the corner w/o one. Literally the only time I rode w/o a lid was on the beach at Daytona. Most motorcycle accidents occur at +/- 20mph either b/c it was a slow speed tip over or the rider got the bike slowed down before impact. Most of these accidents still resulted in injury. Now it's safe to say most of us can ride a bike at that speed as well. To me the motorcycle saying about not wearing a helmet only if you don't have anything worthwhile to put in it is valid in our sport as well.:D

One time My rear cluster locked up. I fell over and my helmet hit the curb at probably 2 miles an hour. My Bell Helmet cracked. About 2 inches long above the right ear. I always wear a helmet.Better than my skull.
Besides I think they look cool. It completes the look, let along making you safer. And its yellow color with lots of yellow reflective tape, makes you more visible. Add that to a neon yellow jersey, who could miss you.

I bought a new helmet today to replace my old Giro which, at 5-years old, is getting a little flakey. [Really! The hardshell is flaking off, and the pads have long ago flaked away.]

I got A Louis Garneau Alien on sale for $35 [Canadian]. It fits very well and doesn't look too bad when you rip off the visor [silly things, those]. I couldn't find a helmet that I REALLY liked, and at this time of year, ventilation isn't going to be as much of an issue, so it's $35 well-spent until I find the helmet that I really like.

Here's the irony... I rode down to the bike shop helmetless... :-)

Originally posted by mwmw
I'm a safe, careful, rider who never rides against traffic or on the sidewalk(where most adult bike accidents occur). I ride 6000+ mi.\yr. and have never had a close call. I realize I'm taking a risk by not wearing a helmet(just as I'm taking a risk of being struck by lightning walking down the street), but I don't believe the risk outweighs the facts. Helmets are hot, uncomfortable, and ugly. The difference between enjoying or not enjoying riding. If I fall off my bike, I'm not going to crack my head open. If I get hit by a car, that piece of styrofoam isn't going to help. They reduce your hearing and peripheral vision, and can act as a pivot, causing severe neck and spinal cord injury. Kids should wear helmets. You have weighed the risks and made a decision, and I accept and respect that, so please don't hassle me for my decision.

I'm sorry - I know you asked not to be hassled, but I think your reasons for not wearing one are weak. Your chances of being struck by lightning are far less than falling on your head. And unless you are wearing a full face helmet (like a downhill mbr would) then I don't see how it impairs your hearing or your peripheral vision.

Children do as they see their role models do.

Originally posted by mwmw
I'm a safe, careful, rider...so please don't hassle me for my decision.
I wouldn't hassle you, I respect you. Since I care about you, I would not want to see you hurt, that's all.

:thumbup:

While I would not dispute an adult's decision of whether or not to wear a helmet, I now always double back if I forget mine. Not because I have ever been involved in an accident involving hitting my head (I haven't, as far as I can recollect) but because of what happened to my father only a month ago.

As I would find out, he was riding fairly fast in traffic and was gradually cut off by a car sweeping to the right. The last thing he remembered before waking up in the ambulance was going for his brakes. He was wearing his helmet, as he always does. Of course he still managed to black out! He still cannot remember the moment of impact including when the corner of a newspaper box cut right through his lower lip area. :o Suffice to say it was a real shock for both he and I! (He could probably empathize with Pete Clark W/R/T his recent injuries - hope you're feeling better Pete, I can understand how your family must have felt :(

What I was reminded of is that no matter how skilled the rider and how good the weather/traffic/road conditions, sooner or later probability will catch up with you and you will take a spill. Now you may go 10, 20 or 100 years and never need that helmet to save your life. Unfortunately, there is simply too much at stake for me to take the risk!

Originally posted by MtnBikerChick
Children do as they see their role models do.
With all respect, I have no interest in being a role model for a child. I don't have any of my own, and whether or not some child decides not to wear a helmet because he sees me on an occasion when I'm not wearing one concerns me not at all.

Originally posted by bikerider
...because of what happened to my father only a month ago.

As I would find out, he was riding fairly fast in traffic and was gradually cut off by a car sweeping to the right. The last thing he remembered before waking up in the ambulance was going for his brakes
I would not risk an accident without head protection.

My "accident" did not even involve a vehicle, but a mean-spirited pedestrian. It's not worth gambling. Some things cannot be avoided at all.

My experience was so similar in that I can not remember going down, only standing in front of four wonderful ladies who stopped their cars to make sure I would be right until the ambulance arrived.

Whenever I see an ambulance now, I think of what it was like to ride in one, and how there is someone inside of it, possibly suffering.

I hope your Dad is ok.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
...I hope your Dad is ok.

He is, thanks! Hope you are same ;)

Originally posted by velocipedio

With all respect, I have no interest in being a role model for a child. I don't have any of my own, and whether or not some child decides not to wear a helmet because he sees me on an occasion when I'm not wearing one concerns me not at all.

(respect appreciated and reciprocated)

I don't think being a role model is something you choose to be. If you are a good rider (and I suspect you are) people (kids and adults) will see you and say "I want to ride like that." Boom - role model.