Originally Posted by bandit1990 (Post 14799010)

Interesting points, Genec. I agree that this is not a "helmet" thread, but when you throw advocacy and safety into the mix, you are going to create confusion. I wholly support the idea that an individual has the right to decide whether to wear a helmet, or not. Really don't think mandatory laws will decrease ridership by much, but since I'm from Cali-wewilltellyouwhatisbest-fornia, not sure how to quantify it. Providing specific traffic circumstances (heavy road use or suburban areas) brings up valid points, but not enough to keep this from devolving into the helmet vs. non-helmet argument.

Originally Posted by genec (Post 14798962)

Actually the OP feels that helmets are more of a heavy traffic vice casual everyday cycling thing. (I can and do make my own choice) But in America cycling is sold (promoted) as a sport thing requiring special clothing and gear, including a helmet.

Originally Posted by mconlonx (Post 14799018)

I agree that MHLs are a bad idea, since studies show it drives down ridership where enacted, and with less cyclists on the road, less drivers competent sharing the road, it is ultimately detrimental to safety.

I'd rather what we have now -- helmets not mandatory, but encouraged -- or even just no mention of them at all from any "voice of authority" beyond, "Riding a bike is a perfectly safe endeavor and you are unlikely to crash during any given ride. However, on the off chance you do crash, a helmet may help in situations where you could otherwise have received a less than serious head injury. It's not a magic pill; it does not provide some kind of safety force-field bubble."

Originally Posted by genec (Post 14799120)

Apparently this has been deemed a helmet thread and it has now been buried with all the others... Oh well.

Originally Posted by sudo bike (Post 14797731)

I believe most of us have said that road rash and other minor injuries helmets help with, so I'm not sure who these imaginary straw anti-helmet people are you speak of.

Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike (Post 14799810)

In America the bicycling marketeers (especially the LBS marketeers) promote special clothing and gear, including a helmet, for ALL cycling.

Originally Posted by Brennan (Post 14800150)

I would agree to some extent, but before recommending any sort of helmet use, I would first emphasize other things that promote safe riding:

1. By far, the most important step a cyclist can take to insure their safety is to ride in a careful and alert manner.
2. Keep the bike well maintained.
3. Use of bike lights at night or in other low visibility conditions (dawn/dusk/rain/fog).

Originally Posted by mconlonx (Post 14806397)

By "LBS marketeers," are you talking about bike shop owners and employees selling cycling gear to retail customers, or companies and distributors selling stuff to shops...?

Originally Posted by Bikes and Jeeps (Post 14808424)

I don't like wearing a helmet, but I'm married, I have to wear one.:mad:

Originally Posted by mr geeker (Post 14808501)

i don't wear a helmet, they fit my head funny... or maybe i should say they don't fit on my head right, no matter the amount of adjusting.

Originally Posted by Aeolis (Post 14807926)

I started cycling this summer and have yet to purchase a helmet, who else doesn't wear one and why? Personally I don't feel like I need one yet but eventually I plan on getting one. I'm not keen on wearing one but I feel like I look ridiculous not wearing one around the lbs guys ect.

Originally Posted by Homebrew01 (Post 14808833)

?? Do you know ahead of time when you will need a helmet ? I usually get about 1 second warning, which I find is not enough time to get to a bike shop.

Originally Posted by ben4345 (Post 14808562)

no you don't