[handyman]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

With that logic, should we have helmets on when we drive our cars and carts ?

How about tennis,pickle ball or golf,there is always a chance of an injury, if you don't fall out of bed,Yes I ride and most of the time I wear a helmet,but when I choose not to it is none of your buisness

[batman911]

Originally Posted by George Bieniaszek

Reason is very simple -- riding with no helmet means that the person has no brains to protect!!

Or you could go with my theory that if there is nothing in the head, a helmet will not help much. Better to use good judgement when riding rather than relying on protective gear. When is see kids playing sports with all that protective gear on I cannot help but think they are not having near as much fun as I did without worrying about all that protection.

[batman911]

Originally Posted by sandybill2

I totally agree with your comments. I so dislike the mean spirited comments that are posted on some of these threads and am sad that it seems to be happening on a more regular basis. I still believe the majority of the residents in The Villages are truly friendly people.

Are they mean spirited because they do not agree with you? Maybe they are just expressing their beliefs. I always support freedom of speech even if I do not agree with you. It would only be mean spirited if they directed negative comments to a person.

[ssmith]

The doctor I worked for was riding his bike with no helmet and a dog came after him....long story short....he ended up with a concusion.

I wear a helmet, I don't like to because I love the wind blowing through my hair. Others may not, it is their choice.

Some post to help others make an informed decision, some post to judge others or because they have no where else to express their thoughts. Many post to be funny! Why does everyone assume they understand the intent of another? I appreciate all opinions and hope I am respectful of others so I say Keep posting!

[Posh 08]

[GaryW]

Wether it be a car rider with no seat belt,,,, A motor cycle rider with no helment or a cyclist with no helment. Their choice.. . Unless it involves children then it is a issue..

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by archerlc

I see people riding without helmets around TV. I assume since they are going slow they think they are OK.
Some things to think about:
I have seen seats snap off for no apparent reason. Bolts fail, posts fail. If it happens you are going down. If you happen to hit on your shoulder you head will then slap onto the pavement.
I have seen handle bars snap off.
Chains break.
My sister ran over a groundhog in PA. No injury to either.
I have seen snakes at the very last second. It shakes me to all get out but I have to say I have not crashed due to that.
I'm sure some safety commission has a list of crazy, unexpected things that have caused riders to fall.
Bike helmets: All are covered by CPSC since 1999. If it's $35 or $250 they all meet the same standard.
Just something to think about.

My cousin's wife fell off her bike, landed on her head and died. Ever since then I wear a helmet.

[asianthree]

coming from not having to wear seatbelts most of our lives, helmets are something that i just can't get used to...and as far as falling and hitting my head thats out of my hands anyway....of course this weekend there was a lady who fell and hit her head while walking out to her mailbox, and died, so if its your time, its your time....of course that does not explain that if the guy next to you on the plane, is his time ....does he take you with him....... just saying

[ssmith]

Agree our times are appointed but what if you have the head trama and live?
With a helmet the permanent injury can be reduced.

[Bruiser1]

Originally Posted by ronsroni

Expect the unexpected. I worked in the TBI (traumatic brain injury) unit in a renowned hospital in NYC. Sadly, I had kids and grups (grownups) who fell on skates, from a bike and walking while on a phone on Broadway. The child on the phone went off a curb and fell onto the street a got a bump on his head (the back of his head).Skatergirl wore wrist and knee gear but no helmet. When the left side of her head met the curb, it hurt. The bicyclist was riding his dads old bike on fathers day as he had done for the seven years prior, as his dad was no longer with him. When Bill (biker) was pedalling to the top of the first hill near his home, he felt the chain snap. Bill went head over handlebars and "piledrove' his head into the asphalt. He remained conscious. A man watering his lawn watched the entire event unfold. The fire/rescue team in place, a medic said Bill was ok and Bill said 'I broke my neck''. Bill was able to lift his arms and snap his fingers; concussion only. Rolling his eyes, the medic said, 'sure. If you say so'. The youngster on skates lost his life from a bleed in the back of his brain as he was delayed going to the ER as they waited too long. imagine the guilt. NO HELMET. Skatergirl, last I heard, was still alive but hardly... no helmet.
My friend Bill DID have a helmet on which saved his life. His neck had 3 breaks but no sever in his chord. Because he was a weightlifter, his neck was so developed that it saved his life along with his helmet. Seems sometimes we can help us not to go before our time. He is now retired from dentistry but worked steadily thru age 78.

Great stories but now I am getting woozy!
I always wear my helmet for years now. I want to enjoy "a little piece of Paradise". What with the people getting ejected from golf carts ,cars down the multi modal paths, cars stuck in tunnels... Today I saw two pedestrians walking in the dark tunnel by Palmer. When the carts go whipping around I bet they were sure surprized!

To each their own ..ultimately YOU are responsible for your own safety.

[NotGolfer]

I grew up riding my bike everywhere w/o a helmut as most have in our generation. That is until a handful of years ago when there was a local t.v. commercial by a brain-trauma physician telling of the reasons for wearing them. "Some" folks will die if they fall, w/o one. BUT there are also "some" who will have brain trauma which can give all sorts of scenarios. Would you want to force that on your loved ones, even if you don't have concern for yourself. The care could bankrupt all the hard work that you've done! I began to wear a helmut when bike riding!!

THEN there is the other thought of ....."IF" no brain-trauma but some bad breaks! Been there done that and don't relish the thought of going through the healing and therapy process again. But wearing of the helmut won't prevent this!!

[Wing-nut2]

They don't effect me, so it's none of my business.

[CarGuys]

Originally Posted by JC419

I think it's great expressing the wisdom of wearing hemets. Many valid points. However, I think calling people idiots and disparaging their lineage, as well as generalizing and stereotyping is mean spirited. Makes me wonder about the validity of the Villages as "the friendliest place on earth"

Agree! Lighten up. So lets put this point on the table. Does a walker or a jogger have to wear a helmet? They just might trip fall down and hit their head.

How about you same people tooling around in your open air Golf Carts. Would you complaining about a bike rider with no helmet while your cruise at 20-30+without a helmet or seat belt.

In fact I think those complaining about no Helmets should wear one while eating at your breakfast nook or every time you go up in the tight attic. Heck you just might stand up and boo boo your head on the hanging table light or a two by four.

How about full face Helmets for mowing lawn and trimming.

If its a race bike doing 20 + in the road then Helmets are a wise choice. If its a Pee Wee Herman bike out for a casual ride on the paths or streets then it's their personal choice.

I wear a helmet on my Harley and Race Bicycle at all times. In any state with any law. However I am one of those pee brains you talk about that sometimes rides my Mt Bike up to the Post office box sans helmet. Are you the same one cutting me off with your cart mumbeling Obscenities under your breath about those darn bikers?

At 60 years old I'm started to get annoyed with Nanny State Bureaucrats in my life. My life my choice.

[asianthree]

i am more worried about the trash trucks at 4am when they come flying thur the streets, have learned to only use one ear fob even at 4am, cause they scare the crap out of me, and yep no helmet

[Dancing Queen]

Originally Posted by archerlc

I see people riding without helmets around TV. I assume since they are going slow they think they are OK.
Some things to think about:
I have seen seats snap off for no apparent reason. Bolts fail, posts fail. If it happens you are going down. If you happen to hit on your shoulder you head will then slap onto the pavement.
I have seen handle bars snap off.
Chains break.
My sister ran over a groundhog in PA. No injury to either.
I have seen snakes at the very last second. It shakes me to all get out but I have to say I have not crashed due to that.
I'm sure some safety commission has a list of crazy, unexpected things that have caused riders to fall.
Bike helmets: All are covered by CPSC since 1999. If it's $35 or $250 they all meet the same standard.
Just something to think about.

I appreciate your post, as you say, "Just something to think about."

I started avidly wearing my helmet when living in Oxford Ohio, and a friend came around a down hill curve at the lead of the pack on one of our weekly rides, and slid on bag, and wrappers from fast food that had been tossed out on the road. His helmet split open, but his head was fine. He was first chair Violin in the Cincinnati Symphony at the time.

The helmet I belive is still on display at the Oxford Bike Center.

I also agree we all have a Choice.