A helmet will cause me to crash!?!
Wearing a helmet is a choice in at least 30 states.. This doesn’t mean it’s a good choice not to.
There are claims that you are more likely to get in an accident if you wear a helmet… People will say helmets block their vision or impair their hearing. Ok, so you might loose a little peripheral vision and not hear as well when someone is trying to talk to you when stopped at a light… Really?! This is why your bike has mirrors and you have the amazing ability to turn your head!
As far as the “I can’t hear as well” claim, the wind on naked ears, even at 30 mph, is loud people. Over time this can actually cause hearing loss. Cutting down wind noise will help you hear other sounds better. You might think the wind in your face helps you feel more alert or awake, but in reality it actually causes fatigue.
Studies from around the globe show that riders who wear helmets not only crash less often, but suffer fewer injuries if they do crash, than those who don’t wear a helmet. They are also less likely to suffer long-term or permanent disabilities and death caused by head or neck injuries.
A helmet that meets the D.O.T. (U.S. Department of Transportation) standard offers significant protection if you crash. Identified by a label on the back of the helmet, the DOT standard means the manufacturer says it will pass specific tests for impact protection, penetration, staying on your head, and more. I would not buy a helmet that does not have this sticker!
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates helmets improve your odds by 37 percent. That is, for every 100 riders killed not wearing one, 37 riders could have lived had they all been wearing helmets.
You can get “half helmets,” which give you partial coverage, (you’ll still need glasses or a face shield), or my preference a ”full-face helmet” which covers the entire head and has a flip down face shield. Modular helmets are becoming more popular as well, it’s kind of a combination of both where the whole face flips up.
Find a helmet that is comfortable, but fits snug. Try a few on, if you can, sit on your bike with it on. Most dealer accessory-sales people have some training in fitting a helmet. Don’t be in a hurry to buy one that you’ll end up not wearing because it doesn’t feel right, or look right for that matter.
Find one that expresses who you are and/or matches your bike. Have fun with it! You can get them painted and airbrushed with personalized designs if you can’t find one you really like.
Ride Safe… Ride Smart… Ride Sane…
Rod