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Bobsyr:

Everyone who rides a bike, sooner or later, is in an accident of some sort. It just happens.

The most vulnerable part of the body is the head, which bounces along the pavement or dirt in a crash.

The helmet will protect you by allowing your head to slide along the ground and by obsorbing some, most, of the shock.

Wearing the helmet is smart. Kind of like those who wear a seat belt; smart.

I don't take chances on my bike regardless. I always wear a helmet. Those without have a name--organ donors. I have hit the pavement, hard, only once in over 20 years of cycling. I can still hear the sound of my helmeted head hitting the street. The helmet cracked, my head didn't. Story over.

I don't take chances and never ride anywhere without my helmet. I've worn one for more than 20 years. I started wearing a helmet skiing four years ago and find it very comfortable.

Accidents happen and as has been pointed out, your head is most vulnerable.

I fell a couple of times when I first added pedal clips. In one fall I did bounce my head off the ground. I've been bruised and scraped but my head is as OK as it ever was. Whatever that's worth. LOL

IF YOU RIDE A BIKE YOU WILL FALL! Statistics show that almost all serious bicycle injuries are head injuries. Almost all of these serious head injuries could have been reduced in seriousness if only the cyclists had been wearing helmets.

We read about the deaths due to cycling accidents but we don't think about thousdands of more people who's lives have been reduced to living on a bed with no or little use of their brains.

Would one drop an egg from 1 foot and expect it not to break? What happens when a human head hits the ground from 5-6 feet? Hit's a curb? Hits concrete pavement? Or hits dirt?

Do I think it should be manditory? Not for adults. I think adults should make up their own minds about their own safety. But that's just me.

Some people who wear helmets do take extra chances. No doubt. But they're probably the same people who would take chances regardless. Most people who ride bicycles and wear helmets don't take extra risks just because they're wearing a helmet. It probably doesn't even enter most normal cyclists' minds.
Kids, maybe; most of us normal adults--no. Helmets do not cause more crashes. Helmets help to prevent serious head injuries, period.

Cacci

I work for the ER at the UofM...and all our ER Docs ask our patients/adults and kids who come in from accidents, bikes, rollerblade, snowboards, skateboarding, the first question they always ask. WERE you wearing a helmet.... !!

I have heard many stories about how Helmets have lessened the chance of getting a closed head injury.

Wear your Helmets!....I do even If I am just riding around in the local neighborhood....I have fallen more times in my driveway, at a stop sign then anywhere else.

I don't think wearing a helmet makes you more "uncautious"...but more secure ..that you are safe...ie....USE A MIRROR also...keeps you from turning your bike into traffic as you look back to see what is behind you....

Once you start using these safety devices, you will feel something is missing when you are biking and that's a good thing.

Every time I see a cyclist without a helmet, I think, "Darwinism at work."

I went hard twice in 2003 with my head hitting the pavement very hard. The helmets broke instead of my brain. I was not riding recklessly. I'm far from a racer.

I meant to mention: If you fall and hit your head (helmet), you should replace the helmet even if you see no visible signs of damage. The helmet might have been compromised and it's not worth the few dollars that a new helmet costs. The second time your head (helmet) hits the ground it may not help as much.

Cacci

Karrena, thanks for your insight as to what goes on in the ER.

And you are so right about where an accident can happen--right outside your door.

I wouldn't no more ride naked than get on my bike without my helmet.

Cacci

I agree to what Cacci said about helmet replacement. Over the past thirteen years, I've had some very minor falls where I don't think my helmet ever hit the ground but I replaced it after ten years just on general principles.

The people who don't wear a helmet while biking are the same ones who don't wear a seat belt because it makes them realize that they could be involved in an accident. Bike helmet or seat belt - I wouldn't be caught dead without either. (Pun definitely not intended.) :-)

I usually take two or three falls a year. My worst was going over the handle bars last year on a flat bike path. Needless to say I always wear a helmet. I read on another forum a helmet is only made to last three years.