Bill says:

Neither of our boys are allowed on their bikes w/o a helmet and they know that their bikes will be locked up if used w/o a helmet. The pavement doesn’t care if you’re riding a motorcycle or a mountain bike or whatever; the pavement is the same and will cause brain damage just the same.

When I was in college, we had a student speak at one of our fraternity meetings. He explained that while riding his road bike he took a tumble and “looking cool” he wasn’t wearing a helmet. After many long months of rehab, he was able to walk (somewhat) again and to regain most of his normal functions again, but he will never be the same. He wasn’t in some horrible car accident, he didn’t have a massive stroke or anything, he just fell off his bike and hit the pavement.

As a mountain biker, I’ve replaced my helmet several times after smashing into trees, rocks, etc. The way I explained it to my boys is that if you knew exactly when you were going to crash, then you could choose when to wear your helmet. Since we can’t predict when we’re going to have an accident, we ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, NO EXCEPTIONS, EVERY TIME. ANYTHING LESS IS UNACCEPTIBLE.

Ann Marie says:

We don’t have children but I wonder if it’s an issue of complacency. When we engage in an activity repeatedly without incident we develop a level of comfort and, although perceived, a certain level of projected outcome for the next time we engage in that activity.

On 1604, it is sad but frequently I see risky behaviour by some motorcyclists, weaving in and out of traffic and riding between vehicles. Why they do this is beyond me and I can only assume they’ve done it before and “gotten away with it” so they do it again. Not too long ago I witnessed a man riding between vehicles and two days later read about a 27 year old man killed on 1604 while weaving between cars and wondered if it was the same person.

So with respect to the helmets, if there hasn’t been an incident I would assume the parent and or child does not deem them necessary. Why a parent would not enforce safety gear, however, I don’t know–are they even aware?

I might think, too, that the level of risk associated with driving a vehicle is seen as being greater than riding a bike which is why more folks buckle up vs. helmet up. We don’t witness bike accidents but we see plenty of car accidents that serve as reminders. It’s something I consider every time I’m behind the wheel of my vehicle but not necessarily my bike.

Just my 2 cents. And I hope this post serves as reminder to all riders regardless of age.

Justin says:

I appreciate the honest commentary and perspectives shared so far! Thank you for chiming in on this topic. Hope others will do the same…

Justin says:

Thanks for the links Richard. I enjoyed reviewing much of the information presented. A central theme in most of this data revolves around the concept of mandatory bicycle helmet laws reducing the number of cyclists in general.

I’m, personally, not advocating that the government mandate that bicycle helmets should be required.

I am suggesting that bicycle helmets can and have protected riders from potentially serious head injuries in minor accidents. No one is suggesting that a bicycle helmet is going to do anyone much good if you’re plowed over by a car going 40mph.

I’d assume that most bicycle accidents are not of this catastrophic nature. They involve minor falls here and there and some of the evidence presented in the links you sent suggest that bicycle helmets afford a level of protection for these kinds of accidents.

Most notably, the links you sent would seem to suggest the obvious. Someone needs to do some direct, primary research on the relative safety afforded by modern bicycle helmets.

Period.

In the meantime, I’ll be strapping my bicycle helmet on for each ride and will continue to advocate the use of bicycle helmets.

Thanks again!

David Hembrow says:

Where people cycle all the time, helmets aren’t worn. This is what the school run to my local primary school looks like.

Helmets, fluorescents etc. are reactions to conditions. Where cycling is safe, people don’t wear them. However, they do cycle an awful lot more. On average, 1.2 journeys per person per day in this city.

Justin says:

I've said it once and I'll say it again -> we need someone to do a real, quantitative study about the safety (or lack thereof) provided by a bicycle helmet. There is no denying that in bicycle friendly locales with hordes of cyclists there is a noticeable lack of helmet bearing riders.

That said, gravity and concrete is the same in the Netherlands as it is in the United States.

While I have gained an understanding from this thread that fear tactics and the like serves only to scare would-be cyclists, I'm still convinced that when I ride with a helmet I am safer than riding without one.

Please, someone do some research on this (btw, it's can't be research by Bell, or Giro, etc!)

BeBe Blazfemi says:

Here’s a study on why helmets aren’t nearly as effective, if at all, as people have been lead to believe.

If the helmet cracks, it didn’t save you, it FAILED.

Bicycle Helmets and the Mechanics of Head Injuries