A recent comment on the Endurance Nation forum, in response to my post commemorating the 25th anniversary of a seminal bike helmet study:
There are some interesting arguments to NOT wearing a helmet. At least for commuters types. I believe a low lower percentage wear helmets in bike friendly countries such as Denmark and Holland. You folks have probably read some of these articles. Probably works better in a place where lots of folks are riding bikes.
So I did a quick Google search on arguments against wearing bike helmets. Here are some of the main ones I found, with my response:
- Compulsory helmet use laws may prevent some potential casual cyclists from taking up the sport, thus losing out on the health benefits and societal benefit from fewer cars on the road. — This is not an argument for an individual to not wear a helmet. I’m worried about the impact on *me* of not wearing a helmet. Others can watch out for themselves.
- People who are riding more slowly are less likely to fall, and the falls they have are less dangerous. — I only care about protecting myself in case I fall; the frequency of falls does not matter, it only takes one. The downward force on my head will be just as great no matter what my forward speed is; in fact , as any skier or ice skater can tell you, it often hurts worse to fall, and you often have less control while moving slowly, than when you *slide* as much as fall.
- Helmets look geeky. — Please; I’m *already* wearing spandex and wobbling around precariously on two skinny wheels; it’s hard to increase the geek factor.
- Helmets cost too much. — Maybe if you pay $100. But perfectly fine helmets can be found for $15, or even free; less than the cost of a bike pump or tire.
- We do many other things – like driving – which are inherently dangerous, and yet don’t wear helmets for them. And in some countries, the frequency of bike accidents and injuries is equal to or less than those incurred driving. — That may be true. But it’s not an argument to *not* wear a helmet while biking. It is an argument to consider wearing one *while* driving.
- Some studies don’t show any decrease in bicycle associated deaths after mandatory helmet laws are instituted. — I’m not trying to prevent death; I’m much more afraid of ending up a vegetable, someone with brain damage. I don’t expect the helmet to save my life; many bicycle deaths among performance cyclists, like me are often caused by neck injuries or massive internal trauma.
- Meta analysis of bicycle helmet studies shows the benefit is less than we initially believed. — But the benefit is still there, and I want to take advantage of it.
- Then, there’s this. — I don’t know what to say; while I am concerned about how close cars come to me when passing, in truth, the vast majority of accidents happen from other causes. In my case, I’m probably the person whom I should fear most when cycling – am I riding too fast downhill? Am I taking risks around a corner or in the rain? Am I not paying attention to the environment around me, like at an aid station, or in group of riders, or the rocks in the road ahead, etc. etc.
- They may be useful for those under 18, but for mature adults … we can make up our own minds. — I’m reminded of what my CFO used to tell me: “When you’re keeping an open mind, make sure your brains don’t fall out.” Even if adults *don’t* need them, what about setting an example for the kids? And if you do get in an accident which causes brain damage or death due to lack of a helmet, how is that going to help your children pay for college?
I could go on, but I really have to get on the trainer for some FTP intervals. And no, I’m not going to wear a helmet. Maybe if I were on rollers …