Lets leave the "Freedom to choose" out of this debate, because that seems to come up every time I get involved in a conversation. Lets just get a grip on what is really at the foundation here, which is PREVENTING INJURY...
Let me tell you a story about a customer who came into my store many, many years ago. He wasn't a kid under 21, but in his early 30's. He rolled into the parking lot on a very nice cruiser wearing no helmet, a tank-top, shorts, and flip-flops. It just happens that at this exact time I was having a conversation with a customer in the store, who was on the fence about buying a jacket. He had a helmet, and really thought that was enough.
When the scantly dressed customer came through the door, I got the sense he had a good sense of humor, so I went with it. After the greetings, I asked him, "Hey, can you do me a HUGE favor? We're having a debate on whether a jacket is worth the cost. Could you head back out into the parking lot, run as fast as you can, and at the end, dive face forward? We want to see how banged up you are." The customer laughed and stated, "What, you think I'm crazy?"
Lets face it, we call accidents, accidents, not on purposes...
I think you would be hard to find a football player who would take the field on game day without a helmet. Few bicycle riders forgo the helmet. On the ski slopes it hard to find someone not wearing a helmet. Hey, it makes sense right? Keeps your head warm, and protects you if you fall. Hockey players, who typically like a good fight, wear helmets (no it's not a rule that they do). These guys want to have a bad day, and go home afterward...
How about this? Stand on the tailgate of the nearest truck you can find. Bend down, grab you ankles and fall forward onto the parking lot. Better yet, wear a T-shirt, no helmet, blue jeans, and have your wife drag you behind the family car for 50 feet... The fact is, if you're sane, if you "had" to do the above, and was offered a helmet and gear, you would take it. Why is the bike different?
I want to think that deep down inside, we all know that safety gear like helmets, gloves, jackets, pants and boots help prevent injury. If so, why do I see so many people "deciding" against them? Comfort? My local customers are shocked to find that they will actually be "cooler" on a 110' day wearing a mesh jacket, and an above average venting "full-face" helmet. Sure, there are products out there that just won't fit you right. I can guaranty that if you walk into my shop, I can find something that fits well. Jackets, the same. It might take time, but we have more of that, than layers of skin...
We have a "unwritten" law in Arizona that many people aren't aware of. You might want to check your own State. While we're a no-helmet State, the insurance companies have something to say (they always do..)...
If you're involved in an accident in Arizona, and sustain injury to your head that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet, they PAY NOTHING.. This holds true, even if the other person is AT FAULT... You're riding down the street, someone yanks a left in front of you, and you plow your head into the side of the car, NOTHING.
I'll be the first to admit that there are times when the helmet comes off, and I ride. I'm always out in the middle of no where, very little traffic, and I feel I'm in control. Sure, I could hit a rabbit and crash, but to me it's worth the risk. When traffic picks up, I slap on a helmet. This is my personal opinion... If you ride a bike without a helmet in town, on busy highways, or NEVER, you're NUTS.
I'll close with this. I tell new riders that, "Everyone out there is trying to kill you. Ride like your life depends on you knowing this."
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