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I do think there is some merit to the argument that people might bike less safely if they're wearing a helmet and feel a little more protected, or drivers might be more careless around bikers they see as "protected." The same effect was seen with seatbelt laws, so it's not a big stretch. But an all-around biking safety awareness campaign, encouraging drivers and riders to take a range of safety precautions, including wearing helmets, is still not a bad idea. I happened to see a lot of really bad biking, pedestrian, and driving behavior this weekend (mostly as a driver and pedestrian), a beautiful weekend for people to get out and about, so some education is really, really important, particularly for what I can only assume are people who only drive or bike recreationally/intermittently (I see much better behavior on my commute rides).

Full disclosure, I do not wear a helmet when I bike, and I know the risk I'm taking doing that. The one major bike accident I've had (partially my fault for riding too fast for my abilities (I was probably doing almost 30 MPH on a steep downhill), partially uncontrollable circumstances, no cars or pedestrians involved) would not have been improved much by wearing a helmet. I *may* not have been knocked unconscious (given the way I hit the pavement - chin first - I may still have lost consciousness), but then the other injuries that the helmet could not possibly have prevented would have hurt a lot more (unconsciousness does serve a purpose, as dangerous and undesirable as it is). I'm hyper vigilant about everything on a bike, particularly about being doored since I normally ride on routes with bike lanes. A helmet wouldn't change that for me, but I can see how others might feel safer with the protection/around protected riders and become more careless.

But I still find it clever when my SIL (an ER nurse) looks at motorcycle riders acting a fool without helmets and mutters "organ donor." Grow a few more layers of skin if you're going to do something you know is somewhat less than perfectly safe. Yes, she also gets on my case for riding helmet-free, and I just chuckle when she tells me I should drink less so that my organs are in top condition when they're harvested.

by Ms. D on Jun 17, 2012 9:54 pm • link • report