WalksOn2Wheels

Without even dipping into the great debate, it occurred to me that because I wear some sort of cap in summer and winter, I don't even notice I'm wearing my helmet most of the time. I was thinking about the theory that if you wear a helmet, you take more risks, etc. It came up on a blog today and I thought, "Does it affect me if I don't even notice I'm wearing it?"

I've also made it 2 or 3 miles down the road on a 7 mile commute, realize I've forgotten my helmet (to show you how much I notice it), and finished the ride without even bothering to go back.

99Klein 

Assuming it fits and is properly adjusted no. Until you ride without one and realize you head actually stays cooler in a good helmet.

caloso

I don't notice it at all. However, I do notice when I'm not wearing it, especially since more and more of my scalp is uncovered every season.

datlas 

I feel naked without mine. Ditto for seatbelt in car.

Bah Humbug

Yep. Apparently even as a very small child I displayed a lot of anxiety in the car until I was belted in. This was before the "car seats until they're 18" movement, of course.

surgeonstone

^^This^^

rmfnla

Agreed...

rmfnla

Oh yeah, that...

big chainring 

I hear berets are the new cycling headgear. I'm on board.

noodle soup

I've heard that theory before, and it always makes me wonder "what idiot came up with that idea?".

FTR, I'm not calling you an idiot in any way.

I wear my helmet every time I ride, and only notice it if a bug flies into it.

Wilfred Laurier

I expect if I get to ride as much as I hope this year I will have a very racy stripe pattern burned into my scalp.

I have been seconds in front of or behind several serious car accidents in the past, but never been in one myself. But I still always wear a seatbelt, ad have since I was a teenager and started riding in friend's cars.
I have also been witness to or nearly involved in several nasty bike crashes, but avoided serious crashes myself since I was a teenager. However, my helmet usage is probably around 85%. I sometimes substitute it for a wide brimmed hat to keep the sun off my face and neck during long road rides, and sometimes for a thick earflap toque when it is very cold.

Doug28450

Saturns have seatbelts?

datlas 

Yup. It even has dual front airbags. No side ones though...

And 35MPG, baby.

Doug28450

LesterOfPuppets

Daredevil. Err, I mean organ donor!

LesterOfPuppets

I've forgotten I'm not wearing one more than I've forgotten I'm wearing one.

Last one was out on tour last summer, cruising down the trail and come out of the dark forest, so put my shades on. Then realized, "Woah, that was way too easy". Damn, left my helmet at lunch spot, had to backtrack many miles to retrieve

VNA

Do you notice it when you are wearing a seat belt while driving?

Psimet2001 

I notice it when I hit the deck.

There's an old quote of mine on riding without helmets that botto used to love...

GlennR

Once I put it on, I forget it's there.

LesterOfPuppets

I notice not wearing one when rollin' in my friend's '53 Poncho

FLvector

Whether you notice you're wearing a helmet or not, it only affects you if your head hits the ground.

Homebrew01

Whoever came up with that must not be a cylclist or understand that more than the noggin is at risk.

If my head is wrapped in an injury proof helmet, I still don't want to crash.

Reynolds 

Same here. Noticed I left my helmet behind 1hr later, went back without much hope, but some honest guy had found it and was waiting for me.

k_kibbler

I only notice mine if I've an itchy spot on my scalp and I can't reach it through the vents.

Maelochs

Second the idea that riding with a helmet makes one take more risks. That is a piece of true absurdity cooked up by some guy who wanted a pseudo-logical justification for not wearing a helmet.

I rarely wear a helmet, but still have enough connected brain cells to know pure BS when I hear it. (Maybe because I have spread enough myself?)