If helmets weren't compulsory, would YOU wear one?

[pookie]

one could always wear a turban instead.. for those that want an alternative

83
On all journeys, the rider and pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped MUST wear a protective helmet. This does not apply to a follower of the Sikh religion while wearing a turban. Helmets MUST comply with the Regulations and they MUST be fastened securely. Riders and passengers of motor tricycles and quadricycles, also called quadbikes, should also wear a protective helmet. Before each journey check that your helmet visor is clean and in good condition.

( ref. https://www.gov.uk/rules-motorcyclists-83-to-88)

[ophic]

Originally Posted by pookie

one could always wear a turban instead.. for those that want an alternative

83
On all journeys, the rider and pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped MUST wear a protective helmet. This does not apply to a follower of the Sikh religion while wearing a turban. Helmets MUST comply with the Regulations and they MUST be fastened securely. Riders and passengers of motor tricycles and quadricycles, also called quadbikes, should also wear a protective helmet. Before each journey check that your helmet visor is clean and in good condition.

( ref. https://www.gov.uk/rules-motorcyclists-83-to-88)

I hate the way they mix up law and advice in the same paragraph. I don't want to wade through a load of "shoulds" when I'm looking for what I "MUST" do.

[yorkie_chris]

I'd still wear a helmet, simply because getting bugs in the face hurts. However I don't think it should be law.*

Probably different for those seppos and middle aged accountants riding polished lawn tractors that struggle to achieve urban speed limits.


*I do think seatbelts should be though, as you might get killed by a flying passenger in your own car. That would be really really ungrateful of them.

Was reading through some old docs earlier, and stumbled over an interesting factoid - apparently, 88% of riders were already wearing helmets when it was voluntary. Looks very similar to the poll, as it happens.

I'd still wear a helemt as my eyes water with the visor up below 20mph so would be basically blind at 60!!
^^ 88% wore helmets before it was compulsory. I hope they don't do something daft with motorcycle clothing laws.

[sniff]

If you lived in a state in the US where helmets were not legal would you have a different point of view?

Always the question of dark visor, clear visor.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by sniff

If you lived in a state in the US where helmets were not legal would you have a different point of view?

In most of those places, the bugs are bigger, so I'd definitely wear one. And the people more stupid, so I definitely wouldn't force them to wear one.

[jambo]

I think I probably would wear one regardless.

But then I grew up with a family who ride bikes and was told that jeans, gloves, a jacket and a pair of DMs were about the minimum you should wear, and I've pretty much stuck with that since.

I don't think I've ever had an accident that wouldn't have been fine in an open-faced lid and a cheap jacket, gloves, DMs and decent jeans, but I tend to wear a little more than that when I'm out and about. The further / faster I'm going the more I tog up. Like many here though I'd oppose full CE kit being compulsory as the last thing we need is fewer bikers being able to start out.

I quite like the idea of a bimble along some quiet roads without a lid, but it would be equivalent to cycling to the pub, and nothing to do with pressing on or commuting.

Jambo

[ophic]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

In most of those places, the bugs are bigger, so I'd definitely wear one. And the people more stupid, so I definitely wouldn't force them to wear one.

Also, there can be hundreds of miles of straight road and no traffic whatsoever, and it's baking hot, and the speed limit is 50mph.

[Red Herring]

Put it this way, this is my sons helmet after last Saturday. I think we're both glad he was wearing it.....