Summing up for the helmet-less (read: brainless)

Today, several weeks after this write up, I find that people on the road here still refuse to wear helmets. After this write up, having kept count in a city span of just 23kms, from my house to my grandparents', till date, I have counted 7 accidents, 1 of them fatal, none of whom I was able to help. May I point out that EVERY single one of those 7 accidents had head injuries? In as unbelievable as it sounds, it is 100% true. And to think that these were only the accidents that I happened to pass by one my way to my gran's. That should probably give people an idea of how many accidents happen per day.

I implore my friends, and I implore every rider here and your friends who think it's uncomfortable with a helmet, or cool to ride with just a baseball cap. IT IS NOT! There are comfortable helmets out there, and just a baseball cap between you and the tarmac, at even a speed of 40-50kmph is NOT COOL.

There are those who find it worth wearing designer glasses worth Rs.2000 - Rs.3000 while riding their bikes. But not helmets! Why not? When you can get amazing helmets for the same price tag, or even considerably lesser than that, why not protect your brain from the road? I bought myself an AGV with an iridium coated visor, and it still attracts looks at traffic signals. Helmets CAN also be a fashion statement if you want them to.

I have only one last thing to say for those who need firecrackers to get them listening. Biking is a religion. Not a status symbol. Or signature is enjoying the pleasure RESPONSIBLY. If you're a hindrance to yourself or to others, don't include yourself in the category of bikers and disgrace the rest.

People who have a brain, or atleast half a brain, will want it protected, and will go for helmets. For people who don't wear atleast a helmet while riding, the converse is true. I'd still say that I don't want to see whatever is inside that "very thick" skull spattered across the road.

Amen

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@need4torque:
No, the ambulance drivers didn't ask me to accompany them to the hospital at all. I called up his family from his mobile phone, and told them that he'd had an accident. I went to the hospital for just a few moments, where I saw his wife and informed her that it was me who had called. I had left her my number to let me know what happened, as I had to get back home. She never did call me, but I hope AND expect that nothing went off-wire.

Sorry to say, but for a long time I might have been counted among those who do not contribute to Darwin's theory of "Survival of the brainiest", but ever since the helmet rule was made mandatory, I make it a point to wear a helmet whenever I ride a bike :.

A point from me - What about those helmets which are full faced, but the lower front part can be raised ? I mean the helmets which are a cross of the regular full face helmets and the half face ones?
Just as a rule of thumb, movable mechanical parts are more susceptible to wear and tear than the non movable ones. That said, these convertible helmets have more probability of breaking on impact than the full face ones. Thus, the wearer is lulled into a false sense of security leading to his doom upon impact. So, isn't it better to avoid those convertible helmets and go for a regular full face helmet?

It is always better to go for a full face helmet. In my opinion, they look better as well. As for wear and tear - they might have a fair bit of wear and tear, and in some helmets, you DO find that the mechanism gets lose and slack after you've used it for sometime. But I can't deny outright that they do not have comfort, nor the fact that they are a lot better than "Brain-Bucket" helmets that are used all over. Hell, I'd even seen several people using Construction Helmets while riding. Pointer - you aren't likely to be hit with a 20 pound brick on your head while riding. If you are, trust me, you'd STILL rather be wearing a full face helmet.

Well to begin with, ignorance and arrogance together are a nasty combination.

There's actually an anti helmet group in ahmedabad, mostly dominated by aunties who do not want to wear helmets, in fact HATE (too strong a word ?) helmets. They've actually defied paying fine for not wearing a helmet and actually have slapped the traffic constables who can do nothing (since they are WOMEN)

Im being a sadist but i really do not have any pity for people who die due to their own foolishness.

even the folks who wear a helmet, about 80% of them do not have a
- proper helmet (which probably will be as good as a tin cap) ,
- don't strap it at all,
- or just pop it on their heads when they see a cop.

unfotunately these people think that the helmet rule is just to collect fines, and even the cops aren't bothered (in ahmedabad ill say) to check whether the helmet is any good even, they also do not care for the safety (what motto do they have except collecting fines)

People even spread rumours that helmet can actually kill you because it's heavy and will snap your spinal cord (bahahaha )

@INsidious
I used to do that bro, but I've given up, most of the people say "nothing will happen to me because I know how to ride a 2 wheeler, i wont meet with an accident"

good thing is at least my parents are very strict on safety (be it a car or a bike or a scooty) and I've always got a yes whenever i wanted to buy good riding gear and a helmet.

Brain or no brain, even the "educated" class mostly defy wearing helmets, maybe they all read in biology classes that our skull is made of titanium or carbon fibre nanotubes

even I dont want to see ze boneheads splattered across the road. But they have a tendency to eliminate themselves then what can you do ?

here's an sms i got from a friend when i told her that i had gotten some riding gear including pants
I used to tell her to wear a helmet but she says "none of the girls in my college wear a helmet, Ill be laughed at if i wear one"

^*sigh*


Seriously i've given up hope, even in the next 20 years i wont see a change, education really doesnt eliminate ignorance and arrogance. Im a sissy who doesnt even want a scratch on the torso and cant even bear the sight of a single blood drop oozing from my skin. so i wear RIDING gear

dude I know its sad to read about people dying, but you know, darwin has come out with a theory which is consistent over time.

I couldn't have possibly put it into a better perspective of satisfaction.

Thats really a hilarious read, but no doubt, it manages to highlight the underlying importance of wearing helmets. And about girls, (no offence meant) I have been through the same condition and have received similar replies

GOOD saying dude...

LMAO!!!
Hey Where Could get the above Mods done.. And How Much Would it cost?

firstly i am not here for a fight its just my views..
the one thing's indians(me included) are good at is blaming...we all want to Blame something we can never admit its our fault...cops who couldidnt care less for the lives of people blame the citizens for ther bad traffic sence..and we people blame the muncipal coperation for the bad roads...they then blame they cops again...all we do is pass the blame and dont do anything....

this whole helmet issue has been going on for a long long time...the reason for some(me included) not to like helmets is not the discomfort nor the looks...riding for me is something similar to a drug...i start my bike up..the feeling i think its better than dope...anyways wearing a helmet amplifies this effect since you get an extra sense of safety and you even become politically correct and this always aint a good thing

fast rider+extra sense of safty+politically correctness = danger!

i hope ive got my point across.....


i dont say that helmets are bad every one should wear them....i always wear a helmet too...but do think of another thing that the helmet's dont avoid accidents or even reduce the chances of one...it just may help save your life if you ever do get into one..you dont waht to be like "oh ive got a helmet..now i am safe i can ride however i want"...its 99% the riders choice weather to live till 100!! or die like a dog!!...the helmet may just aid the latter...

ride safe

in my opinion, a Helmet should not be treated as an accessory but as a necessity, not coz of the cops but for urself..

Moreover nowadays all sort of classy helmets are available which add to the sport quotient of the bike/rider....

I myself own an AGV, which i beleive is definitely heavy than most of the othe helmets, but i still prefer wearing it..... once im in it, it gives me a sense of security.

I actually look good with my lid on than with my usual head!!!

i dont have a attractive face so wearing a daijya makes it better

^LOL! below writings you must hate!ymmv still :
I usually ride without helmet in my town(and you cant guess ,how my town is underpopulated with limited traffic unlike the scenario in the city where you are from!) and ride at a constant speed of 40-45kmph.but when it comes to going somewhere ,I am having my MPA (full face with chin protection) helmet for sure and ofcourse some riding gears like hand protection ,I had bought long back from auto queen ,kaloor ,cochin.
--
I am not comfortable these days with a tight helmet.but the current helmet got some play to allow air inside the head .
and I am not a speedster either(otherwise in highways)

@Original Post ut of 100 ,say 75 are wearing Helmet even in my small town(aah!I am not a law breaker ,bhai ).and in cochin city ,without helmet you are gone!.but when in Coimbatore ,the thing is the inverse! only few got helmets that too fake ones!

Dude just for you concern, you can meet with an accident WITHOUT any other involved, you may slip on some loose gravel and hit your head on the pavement, its enough to crack the skull


just for your concern buddy,

without riding gears and helmets anyone(no matter how good rider is he or in what speed is he driving) can face accident and may break his jaws or injury in head. So helmets are necessary as wheels in bike.

hahaha...