Why NOT to Wear a Helmet

If you have found your way to Knockin' Noggins, you have gathered that we believe wearing a helmet far outweigh the hassles, however I know changing the helmet stigma doesn't happen overnight and I want to dig into reasons why people don't wear helmets and offer an alternative approach to the reasonings.

While researching this topic I came across a few articles listing reasons people don't wear helmets and it kind of blew my mind. I will be 100% honest in saying I've never been too keen on arguing my opinion to those who believe the opposite but my biggest life passion is to change how the world sees helmets through education, awareness and badass custom design, so I'm compelled to debunk some of the common reasons NOT to wear a helmet. My hopes are to add some humor to the seemingly obvious responses because how else do you slowly bring others to the side of reason, well besides science. Speaking of science, in a study from the American Journal of Surgery, helmets were proven to cut the risks of severe traumatic brain injury by half, when riders suffer a brain injury. The report also concluded that riders geared up with helmets were 44% less likely to die from their injury, and 31% less likely to break facial bones. Still not sold? Keep reading.

5 Reasons Why People Don't Wear Helmets

and why I think they are bogus excuses

1.There’s no helmet for all your other body parts That is a keen observation my friend but what other part of your body controls your ability to think, talk, feel, see, hear, remember things, walk and breath? A broken arm sucks and can take a few months to heal yet a head injury can leave someone with altered smell or vision, headaches, hearing loss, seizures, vertigo, memory loss, altered judgment and decision making, difficulty with communication, depression, difficulty completing basic life skills without help or death. A small piece of plastic can help prevent that laundry list of potential outcomes of a brain injury.

2. Cars give you less room when you wear a helmet If we are being honest, there will always be drivers unaware, distracted and too focused on applying their mascara and eating their breakfast taco on the way to work to be worried about who is in the bike lane. This is the very reason you SHOULD wear a helmet because you cannot control what other drivers will do. If you don't believe me just ask any mother of a 16 year old, "It's not you i'm worried about sweetie, it's the other drivers." Moms are right, there will always be people who drive like A-holes. That part is unpreventable but gearing yourself up for protection is in your full control.

3. It’s impossible to hit your head when falling off your bike Ummmmm... I was trying to be clever with this one but this is just false news. One of the most common injuries suffered by cyclists is a head injury, which can be anything from a cut on the cheek to traumatic brain injury. Wearing a helmet may reduce the risk for head injury by 85 percent.

4. Helmets give me helmet hair My first question is where on earth are you riding your bike that you need to have gala ready hair? I feel as if you may want to rethink your transportation if you are riding your bicycle to a fancy event or occasion because I am pretty sure riding in a dress and heals is more dangerous than riding sans helmet. I've personally never commuted anywhere that the helmet caused any issue that wasn't fixable with some dry shampoo and a brush that are easily transported in a backpack.

5. Helmets look so lame. In the past I have agreed with this one but how serendipitous Knockin' Noggins now exists and you happen to be on the website RIGHT NOW! We've got you so covered on this one I don't even need to write a smart ass reply to convince you because you know I am right.

Slide through to see a handful of our non-lame designs and happy noggins with their custom lids.

If you are still not convinced...

To those of you still thinking wearing a helmet isn't worth it, I want to leave you with a few rapid fire facts backed by science and link to my previous blog post that explains my first hand experience why a helmet could have prevented my TBI, PTSD and permanent damage.

1. 900 People die each year in bicycle accidents, 75% of them from head injuries and another 500,000 end up in the ER.

2. 88% of all cyclist brain injuries could be avoided.

3. A head injury can ruin your whole day -- or life.

4. A helmet doesn't just protect your noggin', it protects your face too. Black eyes, missing teeth and broken cheek bones aren't a good look for you so #helmetup buttercup.

5. Helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives in 2016 and continue saving lives every day.

Ride in stlyish safety my friends!

Leah

Sources:

https://firstaidforlife.org.uk

https://www.bicyclehabitat.com/articles/wear-a-helmet-pg31.htm

https://www.adventure-journal.com/

https://news.llu.edu/