Why dont some motorcyclists and bicyclists wear helmets?

Live free, or die, baby!

I don't have a problem if they don't...If you get hit or fall off at 60 mph, the overwhelming odds are that you are going to die..it's called population control..let the idiots be idiots and essentially kill themselves!

How do you plan to kill yourself? Seriously.

I think part of it is pure ignorance. Kinda like the old days when many people didn't wear seatbelts until it became mandatory.

I've noticed more and more people are commuting by biking. And you can easily spot the people who are new at this. They don't wear helmets. Or they're biking on the wrong side of the road. Or both. Sheesh, people, wear a helmet and don't bike facing traffic.

...oh, and the cycling newbies tend to be on mountain bikes. Pretty funny.

I cycle a lot and can't imagine NOT wearing my helmet. I understand if I get hit by a car I'm done; but even just a small fall at 10-15 mph could leave one severely brain damaged.

It mostly pisses me off when I see people riding their bikes or bicycles w/o protective gear because it means if they fall it will be MY tax money (I'm in Canada) that will go to keeping their stupid-asses alive.

I usually wear my bike helmet, although when I'm pacing my wife, I really don't see the point. She's running 6 mph; my head is no higher than when I'm standing.

When I lived in Wisconsin, I would sometimes take the motorcycle out without a helmet. Live free or die. It was nice to have some wind in your face.

Perhaps some of you feel the same way about sex with random strangers that I feel about going without a helmet. Not the greatest idea given the risks, but it makes life worth living.

also a cyclist wrote:

Kinda like the old days when many people didn't wear seatbelts until it became mandatory.

Wearing seatbelts is mandatory? Since when?

drsmrtypnts wrote:

I cycle a lot and can't imagine NOT wearing my helmet.

I've never worn a helmet (on a bicycle) and probably never will. It seems to be overkill to me. The likelihood of crash landing on my noggin is miniscule. I fall more often when I'm trail running. I guess you'll want runners to be wearing helmets too. Come to think of it, maybe they should be worn in the bathroom as that's where most home accidents occur.

I'll take my chances.

also a cyclist wrote:

I think part of it is pure ignorance. Kinda like the old days when many people didn't wear seatbelts until it became mandatory.

I've noticed more and more people are commuting by biking. And you can easily spot the people who are new at this. They don't wear helmets. Or they're biking on the wrong side of the road. Or both. Sheesh, people, wear a helmet and don't bike facing traffic.

...oh, and the cycling newbies tend to be on mountain bikes. Pretty funny.

Good reason newbies are on mountain bikes, in general they are more comfortable and easier to maneuver at slower speeds. No point imitating NASCAR wannabees with their logo splattered tights.

As far as helmets, while it's good idea to wear them it's not like helmets have been around forever. I did some bike racing in the late 70's and NO ONE wore helmets. Then for quite a while mainly kids wore helmets and "serious" cyclists looked at helmet wearers as wusses.

It's been the same way with roller blades. When they were first around in the early 80's people would fly around outside in shorts and a tank top. Now they wear more gear than an NFL lineman.

drsmrtypnts wrote:

It mostly pisses me off when I see people riding their bikes or bicycles w/o protective gear because it means if they fall it will be MY tax money (I'm in Canada) that will go to keeping their stupid-asses alive.

I understand your point, but I think it is dangerous to link healthcare funding to restricting freedom of choice (which I admit you are not necessarily advocating).

People that suntan, who eat hamburgers or unpasterised cheese, who don't exercise, work on ladders, who drive their cars or who get old, all engage in activities that almost certainly increase the chance that the health care system will have to take care of them. Should we really outlaw all activity that is not optimum in that regard?

I can see getting pissed off about irresponsible behaviour, I just hope it doesn't lead to trying to regulate everyone into a narrow lifestyle of ultimate safety and perfect health.

the gooch wrote:

People that suntan, who eat hamburgers or unpasterised cheese, who don't exercise, work on ladders, who drive their cars or who get old, all engage in activities that almost certainly increase the chance that the health care system will have to take care of them.

Damn those cheeseburg eating old people. They're overburdening our health care system!

By the very fact that one is riding a motorcycle, one is showing a higher risk tolerance than most people are comfortable with. I suppose that for many, it isn't that big a deal to up the risk a little more by going helmetless. Appearing "cool" to others is very high on the list of reasons that a lot of people ride motorcycles. In spite of the presumed "outlaw" image many riders are trying to cultivate there is remarkable conformity amoung groups of riders who, after all, are trying to project the same image. Thus if the societal norm is no helmet (or some minimal beanie in helmet law states) then a lot of riders are going to conform to the norm.

For what it's worth, I've taken a bird hit on the forehead of my helmet at 60 mph. Fortunately it was a goldfinch, a fairly tiny bird, but still a good story. I suffered no harm, but the bird didn't make out so well.

A few years ago while bicycle touring in Nova Scotia, I crashed at pretty high speed and reduced my bicycle helmet to packing peanuts, so you're welcome. For what it's worth, my experience with the Canadian health care system was positive.

My experience is just the opposite. I bought my first helmet (early 80's) because it was mandated for time trials and races. It was only the "serious" cyclists that adopted helmets. Societal norms have evolved to the point where helmeted bicyclists are the majority whereas 25 years ago, it was the odd ball thing to do.

That was unbelievably well said. Touche.However, I would probably not wear a helmet when biking. As stupid as it is, I justify that by saying I am simply not ever going fast enough for it to feel necessary to me. However, I will absolutely have my kids wear one every time they get on a bike!

sometimes wearer wrote:

Perhaps some of you feel the same way about sex with random strangers that I feel about going without a helmet. Not the greatest idea given the risks, but it makes life worth living.

I wear a helmet when I climb and it's saved my head a couple times.

TrackBunny wrote:

However, I would probably not wear a helmet when biking. As stupid as it is, I justify that by saying I am simply not ever going fast enough for it to feel necessary to me. However, I will absolutely have my kids wear one every time they get on a bike!

Do as I say, not as I do.

You will never see me riding a motorcycle

100% pure insanity

Eleven years ago, I went for an easy bike ride at lunch. It was summer and we were staying in a mostly deserted retirement community. I didn't plan to leave the community, there was zero traffic, and all I planned to do was pedal around a bit for some fresh air, but I put on my helmet anyway out of habit. I made a U-turn at the end of a cul-de-sac and ran over a piece of wood. It was hidden by the shadows on the road and nearly the same color, so it would have been very hard to see. In fact, I never even saw it until I looked around after I came to. I couldn't have been going more than 8 miles an hour. It tossed me over the bars and my head whip-lashed onto the pavement. I was out for a few seconds. My fairly expensive helmet had cracked like an eggshell and I suffered a concussion. My head hurt for weeks afterwards.

Without the helmet, I most likely would have died or suffered permanent brain damage.

Always wear a helmet.

marijuologist wrote:

You will never see me riding a motorcycle

100% pure insanity

Take another toke.

In my country, wearing a helmet on a motorcycle is compulsory.

Nevertheless, motorcyclists are still considered an excellent source of organ donation.