Apnu

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?

caloso

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!"

WesMorrison

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

ignominious

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.

rando

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

Apnu

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.

joejack951

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).

Apnu

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.

TeleJohn

The point is that it is not your business.

I-Like-To-Bike

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

Apnu

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.

AStomper

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.

Raiyn

That would be I-Like-To-Bike's claim to fame.

Apnu

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.

closetbiker

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.

rando

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

closetbiker

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?

rando

I don't think so.

I-Like-To-Bike

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.

CB HI

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.

mosplat

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.

CB HI

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.

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

CB HI

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

I-Like-To-Bike

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?

closetbiker

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.