Destroyed Helmet
I know its a controversial subject but one well worth writing about. I wear a helmet on every ride although I live in a state (Pennsylvania) that doesn’t require me to. Last time I checked there were only 4 U.S. states that were totally helmet law free (Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire). 20 states have full helmet laws for all motorcycle riders, 19 have laws that exempt riders over 18 years old.
I own 2 helmets and wear them for a number of reasons. First and foremost I wear one because I’ve crashed, destroyed a helmet and walked away because I was wearing it. Ask anyone who’s landed on their head at 45 miles per hour not wearing one and I’m sure you’ll find a helmet advocate. Then again there probably aren’t many you could find who’d fit that scenario.
Another reason I wear a helmet is because I’ve been hit in the head by a wide variety of things over the last decade of riding: stones, branches, flying insects, birds, things tossed from (or torn from) passing cars. Any one of which are quite capable of distracting a rider for even a split second and that split second can cost you dearly.
Another main reason I wear a helmet is so that my loved ones see me with one and know that I take my safety seriously. That, I believe, serves as some small measure of comfort to them as I log 10,000 miles plus each year on my motorcycle. I’m 46, have well over 75,000 miles behind me and mom (Mary, a kinder soul you will not meet) still says “I worry about you on that thing”. She has at least the comfort of knowing I’ve taken two safety courses, wear a helmet and a jacket with armor and scale back my night riding during deer season. In addition, as a parent, I’d rather my daughter grew up watching me demonstrate what safe, responsible riding is so that she’d be able to recognize the opposite some day and avoid riding with someone for whom vanity trumps safety.
The law is the law and although I’d rather see mandatory helmet laws it is up to each rider to do as he sees fit; but for me I’ll continue to wear a helmet even when I’m not required to.
If you have a loved one who rides without a helmet and it bothers you, I’d suggest shopping around for a helmet this holiday season. Helmet technology has come a long way, they are lighter and more comfortable than ever and come in every style and fashion and graphic combination you can imagine. Some quality helmets cost as little as $100 and you could end up saving a life.
The helmet that saved me is on a shelf in my house and has this written on it: “12/01/08 Bud vs. Deer. Bud wins”.
Click here for helmet laws by state
Click here for my post featuring a MSF helmet video
Ride safe.
We were amazed when we rode cross country in 2010 how many riders do not wear helmets in the northern US States. Not only not wearing helmets but riding at highway speeds half naked. Especially the Harley folks. Just nuts but to each their own. One of the number one complications from an accident is road rash getting infected and of course the head trauma. I really do not understand the "arrogance" of riders to think they are immune to crashing and disability/death. Why not protect yourself all of the time? From head to toe?
Guess one can only worry about them-self in the end.
Agreed. Around here people actually ride with helmets strapped to the back of their sport bikes. It's a fashion statement. A crash is a hard way to learn.
Cori was an O.R. nurse as well and has seen her fair share of head trauma. We're of the same mind on the helmet issue.