Monday, November 12, 2007

Helmets

Do you think that grown adults should have to always wear a helmet when they ride a bike or are they old enough now to asses the dangers and make that decision on their own?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

In some places, the decision has been made for them because there are manditory bike helmet laws for everyone- and fines for non-compliance. Is St Louis one of those places?

Maggie said...

I don't know if it is or not. I know for sure it's the law for anyone under 16, but I'm not sure for adults.

the narrator said...

For anything more than a mile, I wear my helmet. I've been in way too many near-hits (and a few crashes) to risk it.

I just wish they made helmets a little sexier.

Heather said...

I agree with Loyd. If it's a long trip and/or in a busy area definitely wear a helmet. If it is just around your neighborhood, it's probably not necessary.
As they say "Better safe than sorry".

Katharina said...

As a nurse, let me interject a little worst-case scenario: I once took care of a boy in his late teens who had ridden his bike hard and fast into a neighbor's parked car when the driver opened their door unexpectedly. Result: he was on month #3 in intensive care with pins and rods in his head, a breathing tube coming out his neck, and wrist restraints because he wasn't lucid enough to leave his breathing tube and IV's alone. I won't elaborate on the bedpan. Not only is it sad, but what a waste--$1000's of dollars a day in resources because of a freakish accident and no helmet. Careful as you may be, you can't control factors like the other guy out there. I do advocate a helmet habit--it's smart and responsible.
(Although Narrator is right--too bad they're not sexier.) p.s. Sorry for the rant.

Anonymous said...

All I know is that the neuros that I called on never let their families ride without helmets. They are the ones that try to put the pieces back together. All that knowledge gone in a minute.

Katie said...

Yes, always a helmet. Even if you can determine that yes, a car is going to hit you, you don't have time to get out of its way. Wear a helmet to protect yourself from someone else, not from yourself.

Anonymous said...

Wearing a helmet is wonderful example for your child. They'll see you wearing a helmet and know that's what you have to wear to ride a bike.

The Barkers said...

I think you are an idiot if you don't wear a helmet (sorry if that offends anyone). Regardless of the likelyhood of something bad happening, the fact remains, it does happen, and then what are you going to do. I think that it's great that certain states have passed laws stating that you have to wear one, especially now that I live in a state where it is not required to wear a helmet. I see so many people driving motorcycles on the freeway with no helmets and all I can think is, "Idiot". Okay, I'm done ranting.
P.S. I think you meant "assess" not "asses", however, I think the latter suits your question. Ha ha.