Do you think wearing a cycling helmet is an important thing?

[cheat-master30]

Just curious, because I've seen all kinds of arguments in articles about why to wear one or why not to wear one, and similar kinds of responses for and against laws forcing cyclists to wear them...

Do you think it should be a legal thing? Something that's a good idea but should be up to choice? A bad idea altogether?

[Phazon]

It doesn't affect anyone else if you don't wear a helmet, so making it mandatory seems pointless.

[Fire Luigi]

I think it is important, you might fall and could break your skull if you don't wear anything, of course if you're careful it's pretty rare for that to happen.

[Darkrai]

i think its very important, even though i dont do it...

[Fire Luigi]

i think its very important, even though i dont do it...
Sorry but I just had to laugh. Any reason why you think it's important?

[Darkrai]

i think its very important, even though i dont do it...
Sorry but I just had to laugh. Any reason why you think it's important?

cuz if u fall off and not be wearing a helmet, u could crack your skull open...

[Fire Luigi]

i think its very important, even though i dont do it...
Sorry but I just had to laugh. Any reason why you think it's important?

cuz if u fall off and not be wearing a helmet, u could crack your skull open...
LOL that's exactly what I said.

[Zexis]

I think it's important to wear helmets. It's only for your safety. Will you fall on your head? Probably not. But it's best not to take that gamble.

As for it being legal, well, that law doesn't involve the safetly of others; just yours. That being the case, I don't think it should be mandatory to wear a helmet (most people don't give a damn anyways), but strongly encouraged instead. If you do fall without a helmet...well, learn from one's mistakes, no?

[Fire Luigi]

I think it's important to wear helmets. It's only for your safety. Will you fall on your head? Probably not. But it's best not to take that gamble.

As for it being legal, well, that law doesn't involve the safetly of others; just yours. That being the case, I don't think it should be mandatory to wear a helmet (most people don't give a damn anyways), but strongly encouraged instead. If you do fall without a helmet...well, learn from one's mistakes, no?
Exactly Zexis.

[Lance the Echidna]

I don't wear a helmet. I only had one serious crash in my life, and though I don't wear one nowadays, that accident made me a bit more cautious.

[floof5467]

^you dont wear on but do you think you should

[Phazon]

I think a helmet could possibly impair your vision, which is a reason against wearing one. I just wanted to think of one. I don't wear a helmet and i've gone down steep hills about 20-30mph. I can handle a bike so there's no need for me to take the risk of impairing my vision, unlike someone who is probably less confident when riding a bike, but i'm assuming someone like that wouldn't be going very fast anyway.

Besides I don't think helmets offer a huge amount of protection anyway. I mean i've cracked my skull open (not on a bike) before and I can honestly say that a helmet would have made no difference at all.

[Hathril]

Yes, it is very important.It is against the law to not wear a helmet under the age of 18.
18 and up go freely without helmets as they rome by.:)

[imalittlecrazy]

I don't think it should be a law. If someone's stupid enough to not wear one and get their head torn off, then just let them. Stupid people do stupid things.

[Fire Luigi]

Hmm, interesting ideas guys.

I personally still though would wear one, but obviously would go a little faster with more safety at hand.

[Teto]

I haven't even ridden a bike for about 3 years, and I think I would wear a helmet if I did again. I walk, though. I'm not for bikes that much. If I'm in a hurry, I'll run or get public transport instead.

It's important, though. And I think there should be an age limit. If you are above a certain age, you're deemed wise enough to make your own decision. Children don't know, all they know is that it makes them uncool or it's uncomfortable. Idiots. So that's why I would stand by the proposition of having it mandatory to wear helmets. Parents can't be trusted to look after their children like they used to be, as is a sad fact of life.

[dantheman]

i used to ride my bike as fast as i could go and had a couple accidents on pavement due to a stick or something. i landed head first both time and didnt hurt a thing. well i did get a bruise.


i think people should have a choice. its there fault if they dont have one.

[imalittlecrazy]

I broke my arm once on a bike. My brake chain broke and I hit a car. They told me if I didn't wear a helmet I'd be a pavement pancake.

[Fire Luigi]

I broke my arm once on a bike. My brake chain broke and I hit a car. They told me if I didn't wear a helmet I'd be a pavement pancake.
Having your Chain Brake broke is actually really unlucky, so it's not that likely to happen. But good for you that you wore your helmet!

[imalittlecrazy]

I have to or my dad would make me be a pancake. He's stirct on that cuz his friend died with no helmet on a motorcycle.

[Fire Luigi]

I have to or my dad would make me be a pancake. He's stirct on that cuz his friend died with no helmet on a motorcycle.
Oh, but on a motorcyle you're probably going, 3 times as fast?

[imalittlecrazy]

Ya,no. I pedal as fast as possible when I'm on a bike. One time my cop friend clocked me at 80 MPh

[Fire Luigi]

Ya,no. I pedal as fast as possible when I'm on a bike. One time my cop friend clocked me at 80 MPh
How could you go 80 MPH on a bike? In Canada you use KM so I don't know how many KM that is, but I'm pretty sure 80 MPH is alot!

[imalittlecrazy]

It is. I was going down a hill pedaling like a maniac trying to get away from someone I know who was singing "Best of Both Worlds"

[Fire Luigi]

It is. I was going down a hill pedaling like a maniac trying to get away from someone I know who was singing "Best of Both Worlds"
Umm... wow that's pretty epic.

[nickyivyca]

Interesting...

Well, I once took a tumble on our driveway. I sped up the driveway and only put on the front brakes, tumbling me over forward. I think my helmet helped me and I was fine (but as you might expect, my mom was pretty freaked).

[Phazon]

Ya,no. I pedal as fast as possible when I'm on a bike. One time my cop friend clocked me at 80 MPh

That has got to be the worst lie I have ever heard.

[Fire Luigi]

I've...played Smash Bros. Brawl.
What the heck?

That has absolute nothing to do with this topic, once again MrLuigi, spam. And this time I don't see how it's funny.

[nickyivyca]

Ya,no. I pedal as fast as possible when I'm on a bike. One time my cop friend clocked me at 80 MPh
Were you drafting a truck or something?

[kyledude92107]

I never wear one, so...

[Chrisjh0223]

Wearing a helmet is always beneficial, no matter what the opposing side says. Safety is a priority when you're biking, so a helmet (and protective padding) is very helpful regardless of age.

In the U.S.A. you must wear a helmet and protective pads if you're age 17 or lower, this is a very good regulation. Once you are 18, the rule is lifted off you and you are free to bike without a helmet and protective gear, but in all common sense you actually should. Even adults who bike ride should wear protective gear in the case of an accident.

I remember when I was little and my father & I bike rode downhill. I was in all my necessary protective padding and a helmet, while my father had no protection at all. We could not brake, and when we collided downhill all I had were a few bruises, whereas my father got really banged up. I thank my protective gear for getting minimal bruises while my father was really hurting (he had lots of unwanted bruises, believe me), and he wished he too was wearing protection. It was easy for me to recover (just about an hour of relaxation) while my father had to watch his actions for the next few days at least.

The lesson: Always wear protective gear and a bike helmet, regardless of age or what other people say.

Considering benefits of protection (and seeing no disadvantages), I believe a law should be enforced stating people of all ages must wear a helmet and protective padding when riding a bicycle.

[imalittlecrazy]

Wearing a helmet is always beneficial, no matter what the opposing side says. Safety is a priority when you're biking, so a helmet (and protective padding) is very helpful regardless of age.

In the U.S.A. you must wear a helmet and protective pads if you're age 17 or lower, this is a very good regulation. Once you are 18, the rule is lifted off you and you are free to bike without a helmet and protective gear, but in all common sense you actually should. Even adults who bike ride should wear protective gear in the case of an accident.

I remember when I was little and my father & I bike rode downhill. I was in all my necessary protective padding and a helmet, while my father had no protection at all. We could not brake, and when we collided downhill all I had were a few bruises, whereas my father got really banged up. I thank my protective gear for getting minimal bruises while my father was really hurting (he had lots of unwanted bruises, believe me), and he wished he too was wearing protection. It was easy for me to recover (just about an hour of relaxation) while my father had to watch his actions for the next few days at least.

The lesson: Always wear protective gear and a bike helmet, regardless of age or what other people say.

Considering benefits of protection (and seeing no disadvantages), I believe a law should be enforced stating people of all ages must wear a helmet and protective padding when riding a bicycle.

Wow Chris that makes awesome sense

[Fire Luigi]

Wearing a helmet is always beneficial, no matter what the opposing side says. Safety is a priority when you're biking, so a helmet (and protective padding) is very helpful regardless of age.

In the U.S.A. you must wear a helmet and protective pads if you're age 17 or lower, this is a very good regulation. Once you are 18, the rule is lifted off you and you are free to bike without a helmet and protective gear, but in all common sense you actually should. Even adults who bike ride should wear protective gear in the case of an accident.

I remember when I was little and my father & I bike rode downhill. I was in all my necessary protective padding and a helmet, while my father had no protection at all. We could not brake, and when we collided downhill all I had were a few bruises, whereas my father got really banged up. I thank my protective gear for getting minimal bruises while my father was really hurting (he had lots of unwanted bruises, believe me), and he wished he too was wearing protection. It was easy for me to recover (just about an hour of relaxation) while my father had to watch his actions for the next few days at least.

The lesson: Always wear protective gear and a bike helmet, regardless of age or what other people say.

Considering benefits of protection (and seeing no disadvantages), I believe a law should be enforced stating people of all ages must wear a helmet and protective padding when riding a bicycle.
I like it when you have explanations like these Chris :D

And it all makes sense, I for one think that this should be a rule, but then again why would your bike have no brakes?

But that's a whole different question, I still think that there should be the rule.

[Chrisjh0223]

Darn right it does imalittlecrazy!

I like it when you have explanations like these Chris :D

And it all makes sense, I for one think that this should be a rule, but then again why would your bike have no brakes?

But that's a whole different question, I still think that there should be the rule.

Our bikes did have brakes, and they were working. After briefly reviewing my message I forgot the part where we were riding downhill too fast, that they did not work at all, unfortunately.

Oh yes, there should be a commonplace rule for all people to wear safety gear. I feel that if the U.S.A. (and ideally all countries in the world) had a law stating that safety standards are a must, the rate of sporting injuries would highly decline.

[Phazon]

Wearing a helmet is always beneficial, no matter what the opposing side says. Safety is a priority when you're biking, so a helmet (and protective padding) is very helpful regardless of age.

Don't say all points by the opposing argument are wrong, because I could just as easily dismiss all of your points with as little logic. I've been riding a bike for years and i've gone fast and i've fallen off plenty of times, but it's all just experience and now I have absolutely no need for any kind of protective gear. It'd be needlessly hindering me.

In the U.S.A. you must wear a helmet and protective pads if you're age 17 or lower, this is a very good regulation. Once you are 18, the rule is lifted off you and you are free to bike without a helmet and protective gear, but in all common sense you actually should. Even adults who bike ride should wear protective gear in the case of an accident.

There is no such law here and i'm glad, because all consequences that come from not wearing protective gear affects only the person who doesn't wear it. There's no need for it to be forced on people just because you think it should be. Lets say the governer of your city is a vegetarian and decides he wants a law banning all meat. Is it fair?

I remember when I was little and my father & I bike rode downhill. I was in all my necessary protective padding and a helmet, while my father had no protection at all. We could not brake, and when we collided downhill all I had were a few bruises, whereas my father got really banged up. I thank my protective gear for getting minimal bruises while my father was really hurting (he had lots of unwanted bruises, believe me), and he wished he too was wearing protection. It was easy for me to recover (just about an hour of relaxation) while my father had to watch his actions for the next few days at least.

No offence to your dad, but if he's bike riding without a helmet and especially with his own child, then he should have been paying better attention and minding his speed should his brakes "not work" because he was going too fast. I put "don't work" because frankly brakes work or they don't work. There's no medium between the two.

The lesson: Always wear protective gear and a bike helmet, regardless of age or what other people say.

Considering benefits of protection (and seeing no disadvantages), I believe a law should be enforced stating people of all ages must wear a helmet and protective padding when riding a bicycle.

Making it a law is a horrible idea. Why condemn people's freedom in such an unnecessary situation? Just because you feel a certain way about something is no need for that to be enforced onto everyone else. If a law such as that was enforced I can guaruntee a huge amount of people would stop biking altogether or simply ignore the law.

[Fire Luigi]

Darn right it does imalittlecrazy!

I like it when you have explanations like these Chris :D

And it all makes sense, I for one think that this should be a rule, but then again why would your bike have no brakes?

But that's a whole different question, I still think that there should be the rule.

Our bikes did have brakes, and they were working. After briefly reviewing my message I forgot the part where we were riding downhill too fast, that they did not work at all, unfortunately.

Oh yes, there should be a commonplace rule for all people to wear safety gear. I feel that if the U.S.A. (and ideally all countries in the world) had a law stating that safety standards are a must, the rate of sporting injuries would highly decline.

Ah I see. This definately should be a law in the more populated countries, considering that I'm assuming more people would have bikes here and in the U.S. then places in Africa maybe, just a thought.

[Chrisjh0223]

In the U.S.A. you must wear a helmet and protective pads if you're age 17 or lower, this is a very good regulation. Once you are 18, the rule is lifted off you and you are free to bike without a helmet and protective gear, but in all common sense you actually should. Even adults who bike ride should wear protective gear in the case of an accident.

There is no such law here and i'm glad, because all consequences that come from not wearing protective gear affects only the person who doesn't wear it. There's no need for it to be forced on people just because you think it should be. Lets say the governer of your city is a vegetarian and decides he wants a law banning all meat. Is it fair?

I just reviewed the data on a certain website. It turns out a law does not exist in the U.S.A. (nationally) in terms of bicycle safety, but individual states have their own regulations. Read it here:

http://www.helmets.org/mandator.htm

The vegetarian issue is something rather personal (every person's diet is self-opinionated), while the bicycle safety issue is open sourced. It would certainly not be fair for people who like eating meat if all meat was banned, whereas people who would be forced to wear helmets are actually being helped, saved from possibly harming themselves. But I have to admit you are right, personal choice is what it comes down to in the final say.

The lesson: Always wear protective gear and a bike helmet, regardless of age or what other people say.

Considering benefits of protection (and seeing no disadvantages), I believe a law should be enforced stating people of all ages must wear a helmet and protective padding when riding a bicycle.

Making it a law is a horrible idea. Why condemn people's freedom in such an unnecessary situation? Just because you feel a certain way about something is no need for that to be enforced onto everyone else. If a law such as that was enforced I can guaruntee a huge amount of people would stop biking altogether or simply ignore the law.

These are some very good points (especially about condemning freedom), thanks for your feedback. I understand where you're coming from.

[Phazon]

I was half expecting some kind of harsh retaliation comments. It's nice to see that you're open-minded.

[Chrisjh0223]

Yes, I am open-minded. I basically give out helpful advice that is beneficial, and I encourage it (such as the bicycle safety tips and accident prevention measures mentioned in this topic). But it does indeed require the cooperation of others. Anyone else can take or leave my advice, and I will leave it at that. As mentioned, it is your own body, your personal choice.

This also has some religious connotation (in Christiandom anyway), in which case God wants what is best for all his people. He states rules such as "Obey your local authority figures." It is beneficial to obey the rules, but if you go against them then you're only affecting yourself. He makes us not bots of programmed forced will, but of humans with our own unique choices in life. If you wish, you may go alongside your own freedoms and deviate from the norms. Unless someone else walks exactly in your footsteps, that person is in no position at all to judge you. Judgment on yourself is something only you and God can do naturally. As a fellow Christian, I will not judge you, regardless of what you do in life such as obeying bicycle safety tips or not.

[Phazon]

I think it's only human to want to judge people. I'm not a Christian and while I agree that it's not fair to pass judgement without knowing what that person has been through, I also feel that I can judge people without any severe reservations. Like I said, it's only human.

EDIT:

This has nothing to do with biking safety >.>

[Chrisjh0223]

I'm aware that a potential separate topic has arisen. What I was getting at originally though was that it's not right to judge other people, this is a key component of what I mentioned of earlier, reasons why people ought to be open-minded and aware of other people's choices in life.

The population saying that bicycle safety measures should not be legalized have their own reasons, such as the helmet hurting their head and they simply can not be bothered to wear/carry around the safety equipment (among other personal reasoning). People's individual lifestyles can easily deviate from one another, adding to the reason why you should not pass on irrelevant judgment because you do not know them in entirety.

That was what I was getting at in regards to why you ideally should not judge other people in my recent post.

[Phazon]

I got what relevance that had to your other post. What I meant was that my last post had nothing to do with biking. Much like this one xD