Originally Posted by DC Wheels
Okay, I guess I'll get a bit of flack, but I don't wear a helmet. I grew up when no one wore one. I am not alone in my choice as I see other commuters/riders without helmets. I feel a mild discomfort, not so much because of saftey stuff, but because of social stuff. My non-biker friends ask me why I don't wear a helmet. As old as I am, 39, my mother has taken an interest in my helmet wearing. For Mother's Day she told me that for a gift she wanted a helmet for me. What a motherly guilt trip. I love the woman forever but still no helmet.
I have had another barrier to getting a helmet that I've kept as a secret now being revealed to BF commuting thread readers. I have tried many helmets and found that due to my large head size that none really fit. Oh the large helmets do fit on my head but the straps when fully extended have just been a bit too snug on my throat for comfort. Fast forward to yesterday when I was introduced to the Giro Atlas II helmet at City Bikes in Wash DC. It fits. It is so large in fact that it would fit a person with locks, braids, twists, or with a cranium larger than my own. Okay, perhaps I am real late on this one. It does not have alot of vents so I can imagine that it would be a bit hot as the days get warmer and I do like the cool breeze rushing over my short faded afro. And really it was only about 40 bucks. I didn't buy it. Oh well. Perhaps I'll wait for the high performance model...bigger vents.
hey, I don'wear a helmet either.
not because my head is big, but here in jakarta,indonesia, in my very own opinion, I assume that the common people would look at a cyclist wearing a helmet as someone serious about biking, and thus presume that the cyclist is riding an expensive bike, quite wealthy, riding as a hobby etc.
this is contrary to most bike commuters, who have to ride bikes, because they are quite poor. they don't even have enough money to pay public transport fare.
so, to avoid misunderstanding, because I often come home quite late (10-12pm) , even though I am fully aware that helmets are necessary,
I opt to not wearing a helmet.
I am just afraid, that when I wear a helmet, bad people might think I am rich.
which I am not. I am only riding an 1980 bike, which cost 137 soviet rubels when new.(20 us dollars!!)