Reasons not to wear helmets

[tigger]

Now that I've become aware that many people are against wearing helmets and also the idea/threat of compulsion, I've been reading over the many threads covering these topics.

For me, I wear a helmet and a recent accident has given me reasons to justify to myself doing so. However, I didn't always feel that way, certainly not when I started cycling. Can we please park the whole compulsion thing completely for now and focus on what makes people CHOOSE NOT TO wear helmets?

The reasons I see frequently cited are:
1) Statistics can show that death/injury is not that much higher than other everyday activities where people don't wear helmets
2) A belief that the construction of current cycling helmets will not prevent serious injury or death anyway
3) A belief that in certain instances helmets could actutally increase risk upon impact, i.e. increased dissipation of force to the neck

Please don't comment on the whys and wherefores of this - this has already been done to death - although by all means if you have something to add please do so.

What I'd really like to know is whether there are any other common objections / reasons why we don't wear helmets?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Smokin Joe]

I don't need a reason.

 

[palinurus]

Me neither, I prefer not to wear one for everyday cycling.

No big deal.

 

[ianrauk]

no objections, no reasons, I just don't wear one.

 

[palinurus]

I can't park the compulsion thing though because you say "CHOOSE NOT TO".

I like to have that choice. I think it's a good thing.

 

[potsy]

I like to feel the wind in my No1 haircut

 

[Tyke]

I like to feel the wind in my No1 haircut

I am also against compulsory helmets but have recently (approx 4 months) started wearing one after 50 years without, my choice. I was very supprised how you feel the wind through the vents on modern helmets. I did 16 miles without it today and didn't really feel any better for it.

Each to his/her own choice on weather to wear or not.

 

[MontyVeda]

1. I'd feel like a tit
2. I'd look like a tit

 

[tigger]

I can't park the compulsion thing though because you say "CHOOSE NOT TO".

I like to have that choice. I think it's a good thing.

Yeah thats exactly what I am saying. Lets not talk about compulsion as it means you don't have a choice not to wear a helmet.

 

[GrasB]

a) Every time I've been wearing a helmet & had a big off I've ended up with serious head trauma in the form of concussions.
b) Every time I've not been wearing a helmet when I've had a big off I've walked away with a few scratches/grazes to my head.
c) I've found that helmets tend to generate a lot of wind noise, this dramatically reduces the amount of information I get from my ears, result is I'm far less aware of things happening which are beyond my sight lines (I often hear badly driven motor vehicles a long time before I have an opportunity to see them).


I wear a helmet when riding off-road because I feel that I'm quite likely to hit my head on something like a rock or tree. When on the road I'd prefer to deal with a few scratches than a concussion (reference points a & b).

 

[tigger]

a) Every time I've been wearing a helmet & had a big off I've ended up with serious head trauma in the form of concussions.
b) Every time I've not been wearing a helmet when I've had a big off I've walked away with a few scratches/grazes to my head.
c) I've found that helmets tend to generate a lot of wind noise, this dramatically reduces the amount of information I get from my ears, result is I'm far less aware of things happening which are beyond my sight lines (I often hear badly driven motor vehicles a long time before I have an opportunity to see them).


For those reasons I think compulsion is bad as it's the riders decision on which sets of risks to take. I wear a helmet when riding off-road because I feel that I'm quite likely to hit my head on something like a rock or tree. When on the road I'd prefer to deal with a few scratches than a concussion (reference points a & b).

Thanks GrasB - good to know. But remember compulsion is not being debated here...

 

[gaz]

Because i don't have a bicycle between my legs, then i wouldn't wear one

I would look silly wearing a bicycle helmet without a bicycle

 

[Orange]

#1 Chinstraps - hate them.
#2 Helmets - horrid.

 

[ufkacbln]

Now that I've become aware that many people are against wearing helmets and also the idea/threat of compulsion, I've been reading over the many threads covering these topics.

Don't make the mistake of confusing the options.

Being against compulsion or the "wear a helmet or die" type of bullying is not anti-helmet.

The important thing is that the information is made available as to what helmets can and cannot do.

If someone goes out expecting the helmet to save them in a collision with a car, or to replace experience and training then they are putting themselves at risk.

In many cases training, a properly maintained bike and riding sensibly will achieve more benefit as buying a helmet!

 

[GrasB]

Thanks GrasB - good to know. But remember compulsion is not being debated here...

that's what happens when you're reading 3 threads at the same time