Originally Posted by
JoeyBike
The base issue here on the helmet thread is basic human
tribalism.
"Tribalism implies the possession of a strong cultural or ethnic identity that separates one member of a group from the members of another group. Based on strong relations of proximity and kinship, members of a tribe tend to possess a strong feeling of identity." -Wiki...see tribalism link above.
Helmet wearers as well as bare-headers often IDENTIFY with certain things in their lives. Diet, religion, political or sexual orientation, country of origin, etc. We tend to OWN or beliefs as if they were freckles on our noses. It is nearly impossible to change a tribal belief or superstition. So all of the data in the world will almost never change the mind, no...the PERSONA, of anyone here no more than you can change their religion based on "facts".
But it's fun to nudge the other tribe isn't it?
"Tribalism" may be the case with the helmeteers but I think the average bare-header just wants to be left alone. I'm not making any kind of statement when I rid without a helmet. I just don't find a helmet necessary every time I go for a bike ride. I'd like to be able to make that choice without being hassled by smug, ignorant helmeteers.