Helmets: Yes or No?

Bicycle helmets are not mandatory for adults within the state of California. If you choose to wear one, make sure that it fits properly. An ill-fitting helmet is useless, and possibly dangerous to the wearer. Don't buy used helmets, replace old ones, and beware of cheap ones.

Some cyclists wear helmets, others choose not to. We support the freedom of choice when it comes to whether or not adults should wear a helmet. But by all means do inform yourself. Make an educated decision based on the available research.

What's the Controversy Surrounding Helmets?

There are some conflicting viewpoints on helmets with regards to the amount of protection they actually afford. Many high-level analysts are questioning early helmet research, and are finding much of it to be false.

It's important to understand, helmets do not prevent crashes. Improving the bicycling environment, bettering motorist and bicyclist education, and safety in numbers achieved by increasing the number of bicyclists upon the roadway, are a more effective ways to prevent crashes.

Urban Bicycling is a Relatively Low Risk Activity

Walking in urban areas is at least as dangerous, or perhaps more dangerous than bicycling (see Mean Streets 2004). Yet most people don't advocate for the use of helmets when walking, even in urban areas, such as NYC or San Francisco, where walking and the use of public transportation is the norm. So if you won't ride a bike if you have to wear a helmet, then don't wear one, just ride.

If you won't ride your bike without a helmet, then by all means please wear one.

Make an Informed Decision

Here are couple of websites to help you make the right decision for yourself.

•Helmet Critique: CycleHelmets.org
•Pro-Helmet: Helmets.org

Remember

Our goal is to have more riders out there. Let's not judge each other on the helmet wearing issue, let's commend each other for being on our bikes (helmet or no helmet) and not participating in a far more devastating act -- driving a car.
We can save the judgements and the lectures for more dastardly crimes against people and the planet.

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