Another view
Common sense would seem to make helmet use seem like a good idea, but real life tests don't back up "common" sense.
You sound like my 45 YO son. I can't get him to wear a helmet when he rides with us. Can you give some references for those studies that "don't show helmets as being a whole lot of good"? I know my son would like some additional information that supports his point of view. I did find this one that seems to somewhat agree with you: https://sciencenordic.com/cars-and-...mets-are-less-effective-than-we-think/1394145Unfortunately this is one of these topics where people feel like they have the only answer regardless of what scientific evidence shows. You'll have the usual "why if I wasn't wearning a helmet I would have died" responses. I think that if it makes you feel good by all means go ahead and wear a helmet, it's your choice. Every study done on it however shows that the overall results don't show helmets as being a whole lot of good. What I don't get however is why if one really thinks they're so great they don't wear a full face helmet - why risk a flimsey helmet? For that matter why not wear one when you're jogging or riding your car - you're much more likely to have an accident during those activities. I guess the idiots in places like the Netherlands and Denmark just don't have the wisdom to require their use. After all, the EU is much more protective of individual freedoms than the US. Kind of reminds me of when seatbelt use first became compulsary and you would hear people talking about how they knew someone who would have drowned if they were wearing a seatbelt when they drove into a river. Common sense would seem to make helmet use seem like a good idea, but real life tests don't back up "common" sense.
Maybe your son read the studies and understands the data. Sorry friend but there’s good data indicating a helmet can offer overconfidence. It’s a choice. Read motorcycle helmet reviews and data. Our bicycle helmets are sorely lacking. Do we retire our bike helmets once they reach their five year mark from manufacture date? A modicum of research reveals they lose effectiveness AND do nothing to protect any more than the top of our skulls. Seems you son may be more willing to avoid the moral high ground. Live and let live. My helmet or no helmet has no affect on your life. All good, support choice.You sound like my 45 YO son. I can't get him to wear a helmet when he rides with us. Can you give some references for those studies that "don't show helmets as being a whole lot of good"? I know my son would like some additional information that supports his point of view. I did find this one that seems to somewhat agree with you: https://sciencenordic.com/cars-and-...mets-are-less-effective-than-we-think/1394145
My helmet or no helmet has no affect on your life. All good, support choice.
Do we retire our bike helmets once they reach their five year mark from manufacture date? A modicum of research reveals they lose effectiveness AND do nothing to protect any more than the top of our skulls.
Sorry bud, but the moment comments devolve to judgments like "stupid", I'm lost. I'm quite capable of lucid speech.
<grin>
There's quite a body of helmet research in the MC world. It's been disregarded by bike riders and bicycle studies, but I suggest we are now reaching the speeds used in studies of motorcycles, on eBikes. 48KPH or 29MPH. Those "skull caps" are missing pretty painful and destructive injury zones.
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I had a nasty crash two days ago. I was going slow over a mowed grassy area, and was going to cross a curb onto a roadway. The ground near the curb was eroded and masked by the grass. My bike flipped with me going over the handlebars. My 270 pound Adonis-like hulk hit the pavement hard and the bike landed on top of me. I layed in a stunned state for a few seconds thankful there was no traffic. Many scrapes, the worst is a nine-ten inch gash up high on my inner thigh. Bruises are still surfacing. I'm thankful for the helmet that my daughter gave me. I have had brain surgery years ago and am concerned about the noggin. I'll stick to 100% paved roadways in the future.
~Lee