If it was ever considered, would you ride without a helmet?

Question

i know the laws are more relaxed in America about wearing helmets while riding, but if it wasn't compulsory over here in the UK, would you really ride without a helmet?

Personally, i dont have that godlike opinion on myself and could not imagine riding at 60mph or more, or less, without having something to protect me. it's one thing for people to ride in t shirts and shorts but without a helmet seems like a suicide attempt on the roads.

Answer 1

i'm with you on this one. i holiday in India & i take a British Standards Approved crash helmet with me to use on our motor bike. if i get a head injury in India i more than likely will die or be brain damaged...then - my children lose their mum & my grandson loses his nanny....never would i ride a bike without a helmet!! life is too precious!!



BUT...my hubby won't wear one....more fool him!!

Answer 2

I never ride with a helmet and I hope I'll never be forced to. Luckily I live in a state that has no helmet law and each adult decides to wear or not wear one. I don't think they save as many lives as the helmet and insurance industries would like us to believe. I enjoy riding without a helmet, with the wind in my hair and face. Try it, you never know, you might like it. BTW when I started riding I wore a helmet but shortly after I discovered how much more I enjoyed riding without.

Answer 3

I don't wear a helmet, unless it rains or snows. As a member of ABATE of Wisconsin. I've done a lot of research, into helmets. I've spoken to my states Reps. and congressmen and women.



Manufactures rate helmets, up to only a 35mph impact. Beyond that, a helmet does little good saving your life. The U.S. DOT claims that helmets are 37% effective in saving lives. But if you look through the raw data, you will find that claim to be false. 52% of riders who died of head trauma, had helmets on. Head trauma only accounted for 13% of rider deaths. That mean 6.24% of riders with out helmets, died of head trauma. That's 320 or so out of over 5100 or so deaths. Since the DOT doesn't keep track of or list. The exact cause of death, the numbers will be off a bit. They only list arms, legs, torso, both head and neck together.



The DOT can't be trusted and numbers do not tell the whole tale. In the end, no one knows. Just how safe or not helmets truly are. As the saying goes. The difference between wearing a helmet or not. Is an open or closed casket.

Answer 4

In my motorcycling time I was around when they were not compulsory and even then I would always wear one



Bikes have changed, roads are different, technology has given us more speed to deal with so NO I would never ride without a skid lid



I always kit up when riding and yes it does get a bit hot during the summer but that to me is better than skidding down the road without the correct clothing as the bones come up to the surface very quickly



Let common sense prevail and letas keep it safe

Answer 5

> would you really ride without a helmet?

Only around the block to warm it up so I could change the oil. I used to do that before California became a helmet law state.

Answer 6

Riding is a risk, everyone knows that. I don't have to wear a helmet in my state but I choose to. I figure ANY advantage I have (no matter how small) to help in case of an accident I'll use.

Answer 7

When i started riding they werent compulsory. Open face helmets with a visor or goggles were popular but on a nice day the helmet was left behind but goggles were necessary to see properly.

Answer 8

Contrary to what was stated, casualties have risen in states that repealed helmet laws. The state of Florida had a significant rise in deaths:

[On July 1 2000, the State of Florida exempted adult motorcyclist and moped riders from wearing helmets provided they have medical insurance of $10 000. Monthly time series of motorcycle occupant deaths are examined from 1/1994 to 12/2001. The interrupted time series analysis estimates a 48.6% increase in motorcycle occupant deaths the year after the law change. The impact estimate reduces to 38.2% and 21.3% when trends in travel miles and motorcycle registrations are controlled.]



Just stating the data

Answer 9

I would at least occasionally.



I am well aware of the protection helmets offer, and I know that the anti-helmet arguments are unfounded. Any restriction to peripheral vision is minimal and anyhow you can buy helmets that do not restrict it at all. The argument that helmets cause neck injuries is just silly.



That being said, I consider myself an adult able to make my own choices. My house is paid for, my kids are raised and no one gets hurt if I choose to trade a little extra risk for a heightened riding experience. Unfortunately, we live in age where all risk is a bad thing and the nanny state must protect us from everything. So we have draconian laws aimed at preventing us from doing anything that is even remotely risky. In the Canadian province where I live it has reached the pinnacle of ridicule: we cannot legally ride our bikes between Nov 15 and March 15 because they are not equipped with SNOW tires !!!!



Things didn't seem so bad when all we had were helmet laws...

Answer 10

In Ca in the mid-80's the cost of a motorcycle accident head injury was over $100,000- Twenty years ago.

I rode in a helmet free state and rode off into the night on a dark highway, looked over my shoulder and my glasses blew off.

Answer 11

They claim that helmets are something like 39% effective in saving lives. In America roughly half of all motorcyclists are required by State Law to wear an approved helmet, for the other half helmets are optional. If the above claim were true then the States in which helmets were optional would have a significantly higher rate of deaths per motorcycle accident. When we look at the statistics we find that the States that mandate helmet use have an insignificantly higher rate of accidents per registered motorcycle, and an insignificantly higher rate of death per motorcycle accident.



Statistically you are no safer with the helmet than without the helmet. Riding without a helmet is no more a "suicide attempt" than riding with a helmet. So you tell me, why would I ever consider riding with a helmet? (other than it being The Law.)

Answer 12

I never wear a helmet and I've been riding fo 50 yrs. When they prove to me that they do some good I might wear one, but from the research ABATE and other groups have done, it seems they can do more damage than they prevent. Let those who ride decide.

Answer 13

I would never ride without a helmet. Even if I am just test rider a bike around the yard I always wear a helmet.

Answer 14

I live in a helmet law state and take my helmet off whenever I get to a state which gives me the freedom to choose. In fact I plan my long trips to go through states that don't have helmet laws if at all possible.

I hate wearing a helmet.

Answer 15

used to ride without one pre helmet law ( young and foolish ) but more often than not would wear one . nowadays even if not a legal requirement would ( and do ) wear one .

Answer 16

as my own opinion, I always wear a helmet, and have been thankful that i was wearing one twice... its always good to do.. never listen to what others say, non - helmet state or not.. but, even if you don't fall, do you know what a bug on the forehead or cheek feels like at 60 mph?... It hurts a bit..



If your asking me what you should do, i'm not touching that question with a 10 foot pole... : )

Answer 17

If you've never had the opportunity to roar down the open road without one don't knock it. I'm of an age where that was the case, but while I'm sure wearing one is a good idea, the choice should be yours.

Answer 18

I live in America and would never ride without a helmet.

Answer 19

I always ride with a helmet even while I'm not required to.

Answer 20

sometimes people don't think that wearing a helmet can make a big difference. the way they look more important than safety, but its only till they have an accident. It teaches a lot if they will have anything left from their had...

Answer 21

I wouldn't dream of it. Being hit by a bug on the helmet sounds like a stone hitting you--I wouldn't want to know what it feels like without a helmet. Also, i was once almost hit by a cigarette. No thanks.

Answer 22

I would do it if I was was just cruising around the city keeping it under 40MPH. Joy riding and or highway / above 40MPH, I'd always wear it.

Answer 23

I live in Cyprus and every year so many young people die in accidents as a result of not wearing a helmet. If i was ever crazy enough to get on a motorbike, i wld wear one. life is precious.

Answer 24

YES...yes i would!...

thats one of the reasons i like to holiday abroad so i can let the wind in my hair...not that theres much left like.

EDIT....

not sure why the thumbs down...if i want to ride without a helmet its down to ME,got f/all to do with anyone else.

EDIT...

SIMM101,nicely put....

Answer 25

nope not safe to ride with out a proper helmet, I have watched programmes on people being chased by police with one girl wearing shorts and a top, she came flying off and broke bones, all her skin was peeling off and she was lucky but she could have suffered brain damage etc.



i would never ride without one

Answer 26

I never wear one unless travelling through a helmet law state. There are more deaths per number of accidents in states that mandate helmet use. helmets restrict hearing and peripheral vision and can cause severe neck injury.

Answer 27

it would be nice but i wouldnt risk it