[rayswrld]

I always wear one and feel something is definitely wrong if I start out without it. Same feeling I get when I start driving and my seatbelt isn't fastened. As someone said, you may think to yourself, "I am a safe rider and am in control and won't crash", but so many things are out of your control. As for only riding on a trail being an argument for not wearing one? I have gone down twice in the past five years and one of those times was on a paved trail. I bent my fingers all the way back and needed therapy for months, punctured my leg in the upper thigh, and avoided any cranial injury due to my noggin protection. The other time I went down there was no cause other than a slight lack of concentration and alertness when I didn't see a small hole in the road hidden in the shadows. Tire went in, hands went off handlebars, started falling forward and couldn't regain control or return to upright position. Road rash. Again, helmet was scraped up, but that was it. I see people riding without them and if they are coming the other way as I ride instead of waving I point to my helmet.

[Minneola24]

If I ride on a residential area near my house where speeds are <25 mph then I don't wear a helmet as cars always see you and go on the opposite side or go really slow. If I ride anywhere else I wear a helmet.

[Tarukai]

I hope you replaced your helmet after that first tumble, rayswrld. As I'm sure you know, helmets are only good for one crash safely, and then it's time for a new one.

I always wear mine now, just because it's a habit, which is a good thing, because it means I'm in a safe habit.

[rayswrld]

Tarukai, yes I replaced my helmet after each incident.

Mineola24, both my incidents did not involve another bike or vehicle. Just because there are no cars around doesn't mean you can't be upended. Any number of things can cause you to lose control and fall, and if you are ineffective in controlling that fall your noggin will bounce on the pavement, which is not good for the noggin or what is inside.

It won't happen to me is not an excuse. That is the same excuse people use when talking on cell phones or texting when they drive. "I can handle it". "I am capable of multi-tasking". But in the end they aren't.

[clemfan2001]

I mostly wear helmets. Honistly, when I am not riding out of town/racing or on the trails, I usually dont bother. Most of the time when I dont, I am on my beach cruiser or BMX. Just cruising though. I guess riding over time makes you more and more compfortable on the bike and you are less prone to accadents. And also, I have fallen so many times, I have pretty much mastered falling "right".

[Tarukai]

Originally Posted by rayswrld

Tarukai, yes I replaced my helmet after each incident.

Ah, you're a smart man.

[Gomez]

Originally Posted by hophead

I always wear one while mtn biking or road riding, but not if I'm just riding around town.

Me the same.

[CTD50]

As a teenager (back in the Dark Ages), helmets were basically nonexistent.

Now, I don't leave the house to ride without it, and neither do my kids.

If I ever need a reminder of the benefit of a helmet, I merely have to look at the scar on my right collarbone, the leftover of surgery to implant a stainless plate and 8 screws. Took a dead sailor, 2-point landing...helmeted head and right shoulder. Collarbone was broken in 5 places.