Would you ever go biking without a helmet?

We have a law in my state that says if you're under 14 then you must wear a helmet while riding a bike. I get so fed up with all these laws so when I turned 14 I never wore a helmet again. I don't wear one because of that and the fact that I don't ride my bike anymore.

I believe there is a minority of injuries that can be exacerbated by wearing a helmet, injuries to the neck - but they are such a minority that it isn't sensible not to wear one if you can. Myself, I have a scalp condition that makes it extremely difficult to wear one, so I don't. Much of the time the choice for me would not be wear a helmet or not wear a helmet, so much as cycle without a helmet or leave the bike at home and do the journey slower. In the 1970s the only cyclist I knew of who wore a helmet was a cardiologist named Dr Malcolm Carruthers (Nowadays he's better known for work on testosterone and men's health). In those days only motorcycle helmets were available, and he was only wearing one IN ORDER TO KEEP OUT THE NOISE OF TRAFFIC OUT!!!

It's the complete opposite where I live. It's out of place to see someone wear one. Okay, it's not so out of place as it used to be, but before it became law (at least for minors), it was rare to see anyone with a helmet on. Still, not too many teenagers or adults wear them, even nowadays (the only ones that do wear helmets are very young kids). And it's not just bicyclists either. I've seen skateboarders, rollerbladers, etc, not wear a helmet either...or any other protective gear for that matter. I don't ride a bike, haven't since I was a teenager. When I did I didn't wear a helmet. It just wasn't the thing to do back then. However, I would now. Accidents can and do happen and I for one would rather be safe than sorry.

Few people in our place wear helmets while riding a bike, but I see some people wearing helmets when they are riding their motorbikes or electrical bikes. When I rode my bikes, I did not want to wear a helmet, but after I got my new electrical bike, I start to wear it in winter when it is very windy. I know that it is out of security that we wear helmets, but as I am always careful when riding, I don't like to wear a helmet. Thanks for the nice discussion.

In Australia it's law to wear a bike helmet, gitfiddleplayer. If the police stop you, it's an on-the-spot fine - I think it's about $60. My son was caught once, and he lied and told the policewoman he was on his way to buy a helmet because his had been stolen. I was cross with him, because I'd told him to put the helmet on before he left home and he'd ignored me. He was lucky the policewoman was nice, and just gave him a warning!

I am a mom of a 20 year old and a 2 year old. It seems to me that our society is way too cautious these days. They didn't even sell helmets when I was a kid. But now I see parentss making their children wear helmets on tricycles and while pulling them on wagons. It seems to me way over protective. If your doing stunts, racing, extreme sports then ya I'm all for it. But come on, a stroll through the park?

When I was young, I used to ride on the back of a bike without a helmet or a care in the world. I had 2 friends who withing 2months got into accidents that forever changed who they were. they were not wearing helmets. Now ...absolutely, I would not get on a bike without a helmet. Even the best drivers can get into accidents aand sometimes to no fault of their own. You just never know.

When I use to ride bikes when I was a kid I never wore a helmet. I did wreck on my bike in the past but always put my hand or kness in the way to protect myself. If I started riding bikes again though I would definitly where a helmet.

I used to ride my bike back before wearing helmets was popular. So I did not wear one for many years. The only bike riding have done recently was hoping on my son's bike and riding down the street. I did not wear a helmet but I was only on the bike for a couple of minutes. If I were to go on an actual ride then I would wear a helmet. My son fell earlier this year and had he not been wearing a helmet he probably would have been seriously hurt.

I don't ride a bicycle but, I'll go even worse, I ride on a motorcycle without a helmet. I know, it's dangerous, but I'm old.....

I havent ridden a bike in a long time and even when I did I was afraid to ride on the road so I often rode where there was no traffic because I was afraid when the vehicles would pass.I also remembered seen a man's skull crushed because he wasnt wearing an helmet and got hit off his motorcycle .With all of that said I guess by now you must have figured it out that I am not riding any bikes without an helmet

Let's be back to our discussion on mountainbiking, bro. I would never go biking without a helmet. I have had that bad accident I never forget. I lost control I was thrown into a valley and had my helmet broken to 3 pieces. Thank God, I am still alive.

I havn't worn a bicicle helmet since i took off my training wheels back in the day, but when it comes to motorcycles i try to get as much protective gear as i can - without being stupid of course.

I do not wear a helmet when cycling but I am when I bike never missed because it is much more dangerous than this fall with this wheel and you hit a motorcycle but my recommendation is to always wearing a helmet regardless of that you drive :)

Where I live, it's not required that adults wear helmets, but I do because I think it makes me look like I'm a serious biker. To be honest, though, I really don't think they're all that protective, but I think they're better than nothing. I've known of people who have gotten hit by cars and while every other bone in their body was broken, their skull was pretty much intact.

I do not biked but my son does and he always wears his helmet. once was enough he wopped his head good in a fall and was lucky he only had a concussion as it could have been a lot worse. now he never bikes without his helmet and he pays the best one he can afford. lol.

The hills round here sort of put me off biking. I don't think I'd make it out of the village before my legs gave out! However, if I ever were to develop enough muscles to take to my bike, I'd probably wear a helmet in town where it is busy with cars or if I were doing something risky like racing, and not bother if I were just pootling about on the dirt tracks.

I don't go bicycling, but I think you should wear a helmet when you do, especially kids, I think they are more prone to having accidents. Now, my husband and I used to ride a motorcycle, and I know I wore a helmet then. He wouldn't even let me on if I didn't have one on. He said it would kill him if I got hurt not wearing a helmet.

As a child I'm pretty sure my mom always made me wear a helmet when I rode my bike. As I got older I started rollerblading instead...I don't wear a helmet when I blade. If I owned a bike I probably wouldn't wear a helmet either. Silly I guess.

When I was a child I never wore on and hardly saw any kids with them . Now it is very common to see . I don't bike so much now . The last time I did was when I was on a beach and I did not have one on . If it were a Harley or bikes like that , you bet I would .