Has a helmet but won't wear it?
 

On my commute (and sometimes when riding for fun) I see a lot of people with out helmets on. OK, I can kind of understand that (but don't agree with it), but what always shocks me are the people who have helmets but don't wear them.

What's the point of that?

I've seen riders with helmets clutched, buy the straps in hands, hung on handle bars, hung off backpacks and strapped down on racks. I don't get it, do they think they can toss the helmet on during the free fall of a crash? OK, that's a silly question, I don't believe anybody thinks they can put a helmet on during a crash. Maybe they were nagged by a parent/spouse/loved one/friend into taking the helmet but when out of site they took the thing off. I dunno.

Has anybody else seen this? If so what are your thoughts on the subject of helmet 'carrying' riders?

99% of the riders I see doing this are kids under the age of 18. I imagine that you've hit it on the head: they put it on to ride out of the driveway and out of Dad's sight, and once around the corner off it comes because Oh My God only dorks wear helmets and I'd never get a date to the Prom.

If I'm in a joking mood, I'll usually say something like "Nice helmet! Uh, you do know that it only works if you put it on your head, right?"

If I'm in a non-joking mood, I might say "Put on your helmet, dumbass!"

You can't get a date to the prom when you're dead.

I beg to differ. Such were the levels of my teenage angst and compulsion to conform to society that no small amount of consideration was given to the dearly departed as date material.

In retrospect a corpse would have been far less humiliating than the date I ended up with.

I sometimes strap the helmet to the rack on the way home if it is too hot instead of wearing it.

I can understand the heat issue. I have a helmet that looks like a cross between a BMX helmet and a MTN helmet. The thing is damn hot on summer days. I picked up a Headsweats skull cap to wear under it to keep the gallons of sweat I generated out of my eyes. Now I have a proper ventulated road helmet that I wear in the spring/summer/early fall months and wear the big nasty one when its cold (cuz with a wool skullcap, I'm very toasty in that thing, in Feburary, along the lake even!)

My new helmet (Giro Transfer) has been great in 80 degree weather.

If its too hot, I'd suggest (to the helmet carriers) that they get something else for the summer months.

Wait, are you saying that 80 degrees is hot? You do realize where Rando lives, right? Even Delaware sees temps way over 80 (we usually get at least a few days of 110 degree heat indexes).

I do, and I don't mean any disrespect to rando. Chicago in July/August has days in high 90s with brutal (and smelly) humidity thanks to the river and lake we live with.

Since I got the new helmet (about a week ago) it has been fairly cool. I'll be the first to admit that I haven't worn it in real heat yet.

Having said that, I did wear the other, hotter helmet in 95+ degree, high humidity days and it wasn't comfortable. Which is why I bought the Headsweats skull cap. I was still hot with it, but not as bad as I was with out.

However, I saw people on Monday, along the lake in 75-80 degree weather with out helmets. Go figure.

The point is that it is not your business.

Unless the OP's business is professional Safety Nanny, or a wannbe.:rolleyes:

It never ceases to amaze me the number of people around here who just show up to crap on threads.

If you don't like the thread, ignore it and move on.

When I was in school there was no way in hell that I would wear a helmet. I'd do a lot of other things that didn't make sense to fit in also. *****, look at all the smokers, something like 90% start before 18. I've thought about not wearing my helmet, and even rode around my neighborhood without it once, but when I hit 40 going downhill I'm glad I have that helmet on.

Harrowing story. I get your drift. When I was in school my mother made me wear a safety vest when riding at dusk/night. (no helmet tho) I hated it and took it off once I was a block away from my house. and put it back on when I was a block away on my return trip.

Oddly enough, now a days, I see the value of the vest. But I'm not old enough to have forgotten what it was like to be a teenager and have teenager concerns.

I don't know if anyone's, "crapping' on the thread. It's just that maybe if you ask an opinion, someone's might be that an individual might have a reason that couldn't possibly be explained or understood on a thread like this and maybe one should show a little respect that their choice is good enough for them, if not for others.

If it's kids doing it, find me an adult who can understand their minds. If it's an adult, he has a right to make his own choice. If it's not an adults choice (by way of law) maybe it's a way to get out of police persecusion. I understand this is common in Australia.

I didn't wear a helmet today! man I suck!

the majority don't, but that's not the point. Why do people carry them on the bike, but not on their head? Who knows? maybe they have a clasp or strap problem, maybe it's too hot, maybe someone wants them to wear it, but they don't. is it such a large problem that it's anything but a curiousity?

I don't think so.

Yep, dat's me. Crapping on threads of jokers who are full of crap, as well as theirselves. What's your problem with how other people choose to ride their bicycle, Jack? My problem is with self described experts whose idea of advocacy is to look down on other cyclists who don't meet the nanny boys' lofty standards.

Yeah, but even that is better than people that come on BF just to crap on other cyclist.

If it does not affect your safety, then stop worrying about them.

what about your friends or family who don't wear helmets while cycling?
and even if i don't know them, i'd hate to see another cyclist done in
by an injury that could have been prevented.
it's all moot though, because no matter who says what,
whether it's friendly, sincere advice, or condescending scolding,
in the end it's their choice.

Oh, I am sorry, I did not realize Apnu was talking about his friends and family. He should definetly lock them in the house until they learn their lesson.:rolleyes:

Be sure and inspect their frig - make sure they are not eating any meat as well.

And why are his friends and family riding bicycles in the first place, that is dangerous?

That's right, they might fall down; presumably he is shocked, shocked that they are so foolish as to ride without training wheels. Just to be safe, eh?

this is one of the problems of helmet promotion, the presentation of the risks of cycling without putting it in proper context or considering the benefits in balance with the risk.

riding a bike is about as dangerous as taking a walk and I'd like to know how, when people who ride bikes their whole lives live longer than people who don't, that people think otherwise. Maybe the benefits that are there are ignored to place some fear into potential consumers of products who might not know of those benfits or the proper context of the risks.

You're right, in the end it is their choice and you better respect it because if you don't someone is going to start questioning your choices and someone might tell you not to do something because they think it's not a good thing to do, whether it is or isn't.

I know, call me stupid.

I have a helmet. I wear it on ALL group rides, and almost every solo ride. (these are the rides where i go out to ride... I usually keep a brisk pace, and have no destination other than just riding)

I haven't once worn it on the way to work. It's hotter, annoying, and no "wind in the hair" feel. I just prefer the feeling of no helmet. I also don't wear it putting around the neighborhood with my g/f either... but our top speed is 12, and we don't go on any busy streets.

With that said, as a kid, I only wore a helmet on the BMX track... never on the 8hr of day riding I did daily during summers, or on the way to school daily (rode my bike from 4th grade to 9th grade). but hey, I had a Prom date :D

take out the stairs, any furniture and anything that can be choked on too. end up watching them die from inactivity. (and for goodness sakes, don't let them cut the lawn with one of those ride-on lawnmowers!)

Such hostility in this thread.

All I did was ask a question about what looks like odd behaviour to me. I never said one way or another that people should or should not wear helmets. I'm not forcing anybody to wear a helmet, nor am I accusing anyone of their choice, regardless of my opinion. But some people like to put words and thoughts into other posters. Apparently attacking straw men is a favourite pastime for those people.

For the anti-helmet crowd bent on attacking me: You're way off base here. I've passed no judgements and none of you has said a single thing about having a helmet but not wearing it while riding a bicycle. Your attacks are ill founded, unnecessary and pointless. If you feel so passionately about trends in compulsory helmet requirements then quit complaining on BF, get off your butts and work to change the laws in your area. Most of us here live in some form of democracy, which means we can participate in our governments. So, do something meaningful and beneficial.

Thanks to everybody else who actually said something constructive or interesting relating to riders who possess a helmet but don't wear it.

I own 3 helmets - only wear one when required to by an event or for icy/snowy commutes. Been riding for over 40 years, commuting for over 30. I do do something meaningful and beneficial...I set an example that cycling is NOT DANGEROUS, as long as you pay attention. ride safely & courteously and follow the laws and rules of the road.

That's very well said. Thanks for taking a stand for your beliefs and setting a positive example. I wear a helmet. That's my choice and I do not believe it tells everybody that cycling is dangerous, but hey that's my opinion. We differ on this small point, but we both try to set a good example and promote cycling. IMO, that's the best thing to do.