The City of Vancouver and the Province of B.C. has made it law to wear bike helmets when operating a bicycle on streets and paths. You wouldn’t know there’s a law if you stood on the 10th avenue bike route like I did for some 20 minutes. By my tally, roughly 40 percent of the cyclist who whizzed by my gapping maw were sans casque. So what’s the dilly-o? Despite the law, bike related accidents are on the rise. So I thought I’d go find out first-hand why people chose to wear and not wear helmets. Here’s who I met:
Aaron – Man of Many Talents – No Helmet
Me: Hey man, that’s a kick ass bike.
Aaron: Thanks, dude.
Me: You know what would look great with it?
Aaron: I don’t know.
Me: A helmet!
Aaron: “Ya, I’m riding hard with no helmet. Usually, I’m a strict helmet wearer,. but today I’m not wearing one because of the humidity in the air. I’m doing business work, I’m trying to network, and don’t want to be sweaty doing it. So when I’m riding extreme, the helmet is on. You caught me by chance today not wearing it. This is my neighbourhood, so I’m pretty comfortable not wearing one. But when I get into traffic, that’s when I think of putting it on.”
A few people I spoke with who didn’t want to be quoted or interviewed told me similar stories to Aaron’s. They didn’t see the need to wear helmets in low-traffic areas or off the road. Helmets being uncomfortable and hot seemed to be a common theme, but one refuted by my next victim.
Eric – Bike Fanatic and Mechanic – Helmet Wearer
Me: My! That’s a mighty nice helmet you got there. Why are you wearing it?
Eric: You asked me to.
Me: I meant, why do you wear it when I don’t ask you to?
Eric: “Well, I used to not wear a helmet but have done so now for about 15 years. I found them to be uncomfortable. But modern helmets can actually make your head feel cooler than if you didn’t wear one at all because of how they’re designed. I got in a few accidents before and even hit my head, which didn’t feel too good. Beyond it being the law, it’s a good habit to get in. It can save you a trip to the hospital and death…those are pretty significant repercussions.“
Those were sage words and ones I’d expect from someone with knowledge of the repercussions of not wearing a head dome…like a nurse perhaps. To be continued… Now it’s your turn. If you have an excuse or won't stand for them, then give yourself a voice by leaving a comment. I’ll read them and find an expert to refute or support your claim, or both!
5 Comments
Joel says:
I never wore a helmet growing up, its difficult to break old habits
Chris says:
Helmets were uncool as a kid. I remember my parents almost forcing me to wear one even to drive down the block to visit a friend. Looking back I'm glad that my parents were so protective of my safety as I suffered the odd fall now and again slamming on my bike brakes and skidding down the side walk. These days there are so many different looks and styles of helmets that most everyone can find a helmet they would feel 'cool' wearing. Helmets these days are almost like fashion statements.
Liv says:
there are some better looking helmets these days and I always ride with mine. With many drivers not driving safely, i'd rather not take the chance if I get hit by a car. Mine is nice pink one from Bern, and i've also seen these funky ones that look like a hat by Yakkay - www.yakkay.com/
Raul says:
I have a bike helmet, but not a bike at the moment. And I'm going to admit for a second that I would definitely like a helmet that didn't crush my (hard-to-comb) hairdo. Yes, I'm vain in that one regard!
Jacqueline Malkinson says:
I think once a person has cared for people with head injuries that could have been prevented, it's hard not to advocate for consistent helmet use. I have several friends who have crashed their bikes and cracked their helmets and were SO thankful to have been wearing their helmet at the time of the crash (including one vain friend who almost didn't wear the helmet on the night of her crash in the name of perserving her nice hair).