Originally posted by RacerX
I agree with Martin's post on page 1. Good stuff.
Because you think a ventilated helmet will not do a good job doesn't really mean anything. All of them pass SNELL and ANSI standards. Obviously, they are less effective with a protruding surface that may enter through a vent hole (which every manufacturer's instruction book will tell you). Other than that, they are very effective.
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As far as people not wearing a helmet, I don't care. It's their choice. In training rides if they are bare-headed, well, there is a term for that: Natural Selection.
I, and I think many of us, share Martin's and RacerX's position, which is pro-helmet (with ample caveats and limitations) and anti-mandatory helmet law.
My only nit-picky exception to RacerX's post is that today's helmets must pass Consumer Product Safety Commission tests, which are a bit tougher than the traditional American Society of Testing and Materials and ANSI tests, but somewhat less stringent than those of the Snell Memorial Foundation. I do not know whether this is significant, since the protection difference between no helmet and any properly-fitted helmet is far greater than that between any two helmets with different certifications. Unfortunately, none of the tests addresses the single most important issue, which is proper sizing and fitting of the helmet's retention system to each individual's head.