Yes it is a cheesy title, but live with it.

Vs.

As is the case with most things in the developed world, choices do not satisfy people but initiate debates on which is better. In case of cycling, Helmet debates are probably the fiercest of all. Recently, I nearly got into a serious name calling when I made my opinion known.

There are various schools of thought some backed by experience and others simply a case of paranoia or carelessness. Everyone seems to have an opinion on helmets and tend to think their point of view is right. The problem is that people do not realize that the idea is to be out riding and not to debate how you are riding. There are some issues that will never see the end and this is on of them.

Coming to my point of this post, my opinion is that the need of helmets is firmly subjective. it is impossible to say that certain situations demand one and others don’t. It is also a function of anyone’s risk appetite, paranoia willingness to wear, fashion sense, biking conditions etc…

Living in the tropics, and after visiting places where bicycles are used for transportation and everyday commute by a large section of the population, it is easy to see that helmets as a product are not essential. They have their niche uses in extreme sports, mountain biking etc… but for getting from your home to the grocer, heading to the cinema, getting to work, going multi modal to commute, helmets offer very little.

Reality is I used to regularly wear a helmet but now, my helmet use is relegated to long distance biking only. That too as a backup to protect the head from the sun. What I wear now is either a bandanna or the Buff. They are extremely convenient, occupy no space, good to wash the face with, easy to maintain and extremely cheap. Helmets were useful when I started off biking on Singapore roads, when I was under the impression that the roads were unsafe. I realized that people respect others on the road, regardless of ho0w big your vehicle is. There are careless drivers and there are downright morons, but they are a distinct minority and even then they are not out to kill. Accidents happen regardless of whether you wear a helmet or not and the best form of protection is prevention (by being predictable and careful on the road and by ensuring you are visible).

But if the lack of helmet is preventing you from riding, ignore my point of view and go ahead id with a helmet on. Because I think it is important to get more cyclists going about their work than to worry about whether one is wearing a funny hat or not. Note the case I try to make is not whether helmets are effective or not but whether there is a need to wear one or not.

Anyhow, regarding wearing funny hats on the other head, well that is a whole different question and not for discussion here