Are There Still People Out There Who Don't Think Helmets Are Necessary?

[bone crusher]

Must read for all of us...anyone who still thinks you shouldn't have to wear a helmet, especially...

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwr...6123a1_e%0D%0A

[Farmboy]

I would say 97% of the time I do not wear a brain bucket. Its going to hurt like hell if and when I fall off any way. Some say there so you can have an open casket

[HICKORY]

Must read for all of us...anyone who still thinks you shouldn't have to wear a helmet, especially...

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwr...6123a1_e%0D%0A

I wear a helmet even in states that do not have helmet laws, which is my choice. Anyone over the age of 18 should not have to wear a helmet. It should be a personal choice, big brother laws need to stop.

[old Timer]

Must read for all of us...anyone who still thinks you shouldn't have to wear a helmet, especially...

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwr...6123a1_e%0D%0A

Only the stupid.

[bone crusher]

Only the stupid.

True, very true...

[jcoker]

It's a personal choice. One I dont think someone should be called " stupid " for making. I know what can happen and it's a chance I as a free American adult that I take. I live in south Texas so I could call someone stupid for wearing a helmet in 110 degree weather. I dont call someone that just for making a different choice than I make. If you decide to wear a hemet I respect that. If you decide not to wear one I also respect your ability to make that choice and live with knowing what can happen in an accident much like I do

[Sny]

Don't take this the wrong way and please read it all before exploding on me.

Isn't a personal choice that was decided based on bad assumptions is pretty much the definition of stupid? Stupid is watching someone's head splatter from a minor accident and then deciding not to wear a helmet because you assume you'll never have a minor accident.

The debate isn't whether it's stupid or not. It's whether you should have the right to choose.

I believe everyone should have the right to choose so long as it doesn't cause undue risk to others. Riding without a helmet doesn't risk anyone else other than those who depend on you and anyone who pays for motorcycle insurance (which that article alludes to.) It clearly should be your choice.

I will defend your right to choose with everything I have, and laws that take away these choices are unacceptable.

But I still think it's stupid I do stupid things all the time.

If they want to make motorcycle insurance cheaper for riders who wear helmets then do that. Don't make it illegal to ride without. Let the money solve money problems. Leave the rest alone.

[napper39]

its up to you and i do not use one all the time,but when i started riding no on wore helemets,do you ware one in a topless car.i thought not.so let every one do what they want,and love them aney way.brothers and sister be kind to each other.

[IGETAROUND]

Something about the thing speaks for itself.

I'd like to make the tongue in cheek offer to all the non helmet free choice individuals; please include me in the distribution of your property part of your will to have me inherit you Spyder.

Thanks

[Yazz]

The debate isn't whether it's stupid or not. It's whether you should have the right to choose.

+1. Its about personal choice.

We're all family here. Lets respect each other's right to choose for ourselves what to wear on our noggin.

[ValleySpyder]

do you ware one in a topless car.

C'mon Napper...you can't compare a convertible to being on a two wheeler or three. That's just nonsense. I used to be one of those guys that never wore a helmet. As soon as I crossed the Connecticut line from New York, I used to pull over to the side and take my helmet off. Man...I sure was one of those dumbasses that had a helmet attached to the side instead of my head.
I'm not saying you should wear a helmet, but it makes sense to wear one on an open vehicle like a trike or motorcycle...and moped.
Especially a moped. Holy moly those things are dangerous.

[bone crusher]

its up to you and i do not use one all the time,but when i started riding no on wore helemets,do you ware one in a topless car.i thought not.so let every one do what they want,and love them aney way.brothers and sister be kind to each other.

Show me fatalities from convertibles and compare it to motorcyclists who don't wear helmets. Are you trying to justify not wearing a helmet while on a bike? It's a non-defensible position....there's no comparison...apples and oranges...

Forget this 'let everyone do what they want' if others have to pay for it. How about anyone NOT wearing a helmet pays all their bills themselves...personal responsibility...the studies are very clear...it is the responsibility of the person on the bike to take precautions...if they don't, then they're solely responsible...and it should remain this way...

[bone crusher]

+1. Its about personal choice.

We're all family here. Lets respect each other's right to choose for ourselves what to wear on our noggin.

Personal choice to wear a helmet? Based on the FACTS, all states should have mandatory helmet laws...the only way around this is unless the person who's not wearing one signs off on paying 100% of their own medical bills if there is a problem. The numbers speak for themselves. it's not personal choice if the medical bills are in the hundreds of thousands and we all have to pay for it and simply being responsible would've led to a different result?

Is putting a child in a child seat personal choice too? Why is it no longer that way? Do serious injuries and death count for anything anymore?

[bone crusher]

Something about the thing speaks for itself.

I'd like to make the tongue in cheek offer to all the non helmet free choice individuals; please include me in the distribution of your property part of your will to have me inherit you Spyder.

Thanks

You can inherit the spyder and all the gear...no helmet though!!

[smurfette]

I live in a state that requires helmet use for all riders/passengers. Do helmets save lives? Absolutely! But what they never tell anyone is that even if a helmet is properly sized and fitted, helmet use can indeed cause injury and death. The straps and helmet itself can get caught, literally decapitating you. I am an adult, and I should be able to make an informed choice on whether or not to use a helmet.

My main point about my post is: the FREEDOM to make the choice for myself, not for a "Nanny" government to take that freedom of choice away from me.

[Mexican]

[Arr MiHardies]

its up to you and i do not use one all the time,but when i started riding no on wore helemets,do you ware one in a topless car.i thought not.so let every one do what they want,and love them aney way.brothers and sister be kind to each other.

Does a Spyder have seat belts to keep you from flying out of the vehicle head first through the windshield? I thought not. Do you wear a seat belt? I would guess probably so (well, maybe not since you don't wear a helmet) . What about a hard hat at a construction site? Why not a helmet then? Seems like a no brainier (sorry, bad pun...).

There are seatbelt laws for the exact same reason there are helmet laws. To save lives. To go without either is your choice, but it's a stupid choice, and it's your family and friends that will have to pay the consequences if something happens.

Back in the days without helmet laws here, I lost my father as the result of a head injury that could have been prevented with the use of a helmet. I was only 3, but I still remember the night my mom got that phone call. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. And if preventing that means we have to enact laws so the state has to make that choice for the people who refuse to make the right choice, then so ****ing be it.

[bone crusher]

I live in a state that requires helmet use for all riders/passengers. Do helmets save lives? Absolutely! But what they never tell anyone is that even if a helmet is properly sized and fitted, helmet use can indeed cause injury and death. The straps and helmet itself can get caught, literally decapitating you. I am an adult, and I should be able to make an informed choice on whether or not to use a helmet.

Show me the studies on that please? Evidence trumps opinion by a long margin, IMHO... Are you inferring that an 'informed choice' means that with the data being clear, you think that straps and improper helmet fit justify not wearing a helmet?

[Arr MiHardies]

Show me the studies on that please? Evidence trumps opinion by a long margin, IMHO...

You apparently didn't read the link in the first post. that's a good start.

[bone crusher]

Does a Spyder have seat belts to keep you from flying out of the vehicle head first through the windshield? I thought not. Do you wear a seat belt? I would guess probably so (well, maybe not since you don't wear a helmet) . Why not a helmet then? Seems like a no brainier (sorry, bad pun...).

There are seatbelt laws for the exact same reason there are helmet laws. To save lives. To go without either is your choice, but it's a stupid choice, and it's your family and friends that will have to pay the consequences if something happens.

Back in the days without helmet laws here, I lost my father as the result of a head injury that could have been prevented with the use of a helmet. I was only 3, but I still remember the night my mom got that phone call. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. And if preventing that means we have to enact laws so the state has to make that choice for the people who refuse to make the right choice, then so ****ing be it.

The only counter to this argument is through Darwinism...you will have selective extinction...however, to me, it comes down to dollars and cents...if you want to be irresponsible, be 100% responsible for your 'choice'...that option alone will probably put a lot of helmets on heads! This is simple and it takes the cost factor out of the picture for the rest of us...

[dabreitbach]

To all you people who think you have to wear a helmet, back off. It,s a personal choice. PERIOD. To all you fact quote'rs get a grip. You are right about the facts in this area BUT I bet I could sure as hell look at your home and find alot more dangerous things there that we all know about and you have done nothing about. Do you have nonslip surfaces in your bathrooms, tub shower ect?? Grab bars? Proper hand rails and railings? GFI's. Smoke and CO detecters? I could go on (and I really could). These things are PROVEN far more dangerous than not wearing a helmet and EVERYBODIES insurance pays for it.
People in glass houses should not throw stones.

[bone crusher]

You apparently didn't read the link in the first post. that's a good start.

I'm the one who posted it silly...I'm commenting on her comment about poor fitting helmets as being a reaon NOT to wear a helmet and going back to that ole 'choice' thingy...

She's giving an opinion...the facts are clearly contrary...(as per the study)

[bone crusher]

To all you people who think you have to wear a helmet, back off. It,s a personal choice. PERIOD. To all you fact quote'rs get a grip. You are right about the facts in this area BUT I bet I could sure as hell look at your home and find alot more dangerous things there that we all know about and you have done nothing about. Do you have nonslip surfaces in your bathrooms, tub shower ect?? Grab bars? Proper hand rails and railings? GFI's. Smoke and CO detecters? I could go on (and I really could). These things are PROVEN far more dangerous than not wearing a helmet and EVERYBODIES insurance pays for it.
People in glass houses should not throw stones.

I'm trying to figure out why everyone keeps looking at other things to justify not wearing a helmet. Let's stick to the topic and not get emotional about it. Facts are facts... As far as other hazards go, sure they exist...no question....but this study is on one very serious and expensive topic that addresses all of us. Did you read the dollar amounts? Don't wear a helmet if you don't want to...if you live in a state that permits, it's your 'choice'...just be personally 100% responsible for whatever happens. It's that simple...I don't think anyone has a problem with that?

[Arr MiHardies]

People in glass houses should not throw stones.

... Especially at people without helmets....

[Dragonrider]

I think you hit it on the head - PERSONAL responsibility. Using a helmet, and type of helmet, should be your choice - anything that occurs from not wearing one, is also your choice, and no one else should pay for it.

There are a lot of folks who have NEVER ridden anything, may not have even driven a car (really - my mother never drove a car), who truly believe anything beyond walking is dangerous.

I ride a recumbent trike - like the Spyder without a motor - and I NEVER wear a helmet, nor would consider it. I get hassled by walkers all the time, about the bad example I'm showing to young bike riders… I've never used a helmet on a bike, which I have ridden for 60 years… That's my choice. We really have very few choices left - protect them, and don't dis those who exercise that right…..