Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Helmets

> Hi...
> I love what you guys have said about making sure you wear your helmets.
> But  for the people who dont use helmets, i would like to know  why. I
> will not  critisize anyones reasons I just want to see your reasoning
> for not wearing  one. So i am open to everyones suggestions or
> opinions.

Not wearing a helmet is not a matter of reason in most cases--it is a
matter of personal choice.  I think people confuse those two concepts. 
Part of freedom is the freedom to make poor decisions, just because one
doesn't "like" to do something.
I am one who didn't like wearing a helmet, and it IS one thing that I
finally forced myself to do.  I like wearing a seat belt even less, and
feel that most of the rural driving that I do is far less risky without a
seat belt than riding helmetless.  There is an element of calculated risk.
 (BTW, I think I've come off of horses less than 10 times in my entire
life, and I've been riding over 40 years--I can't even begin to imagine
the poster who stated she had been off of the SAME horse 9 times--we all
have our own relative experiences.)  I have more "reason" not to wear a
seat belt than not to wear a helmet, as I have back and neck problems that
are exacerbated by being belted in, and food allergy problems that cause a
rash on hot days where the belt goes across my chest.  In addition, I'm
short, so without one of those kiddy belt adjuster things, the chest part
of the belt cuts into my neck.  Furthermore, I frequently drive a river
road where most of the fatalities are due to drowning when one goes into
the river off of a curve and is too stunned to release one's belt in time,
and where speeds are low due to the curves so that head-on collisions are
usually of rather low velocity.  That said--I still wear a seat belt when,
IMO, the risk factor exceeds my need for comfort, and I am willing to
assume the risk the rest of the time.  You may not agree with that
choice--that's your right, but this is my body and my life, and making MY
choice is my right.
I personally think that folks who don't ride with helmets are a little bit
nuts--but provided they know the risks they are taking, they have every
right to make poor decisions, and since I value personal freedom as much
as I value life, I'm willing to fight for their right to make poor
choices.  I also support helmet rules and seat belt laws for
juveniles--kids shouldn't be at the mercy of adults' poor choices.  (That
said, I'd also unbelt a child on a couple of these river roads for the
above-mentioned reasons--but I've yet to see a circumstance where the risk
of wearing a helmet exceeds the risk of not wearing one....)
Heidi



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