Peer pressure or a lack of comfort can cause riders to steer away from wearing a safety helmet. It makes us sweat and flattens our hair. It prevents us from letting the wind blow through our hair and let’s face it, that’s why we get out of the car and onto the bike right?

Helmets prevent eye injuries and distraction from dust and flying objects from passing vehicles, large bugs, or birds. I don’t know about you, but I like to sing while I ride. I do NOT want a bug in my teeth. Helmets have also been proven to help block out distracting wind noise that may prevent you from hearing important traffic sounds like approaching cars or sirens.

Make sure your helmet has DOT on the back. The U.S Department of Transportation requires that all motorcycle helmets sold in the U.S. meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. These helmets will weigh about 3 pounds, have a thick inner liner, and are required to provide at least a 210 degree field of vision (normal peripheral vision is only 180 degrees). The tests done by the Highway Safety Association tested helmets by dropping them from a 6-foot height, which simulates a 13 mph impact. Even as your bike is traveling at a higher speed, this is the speed of your head when it hits the ground when falling from your bike 6-feet above the ground.

If you are in an accident without a helmet, you run the risk of road rash, cauliflower ear, facial disfigurement, dental injuries, blindness, traumatic brain injury, paralysis, and a host of other injuries. Some say, they would rather be dead than a vegetable. Without a helmet you could be either one, but neither seems like a good option. If bicyclists use safety helmets and are only foot-powered, shouldn’t motorcyclists that are traveling at speeds much faster also wear protective headgear?

There are currently 20 states that require everyone to wear a helmet. There are only 3 without a helmet law. The others vary based on “Under 21” or “Under 18” guidelines. Use this link to see state specific requirements. https://images.app.goo.gl/rmrPzY6eUPWA6JSy5

As you set out for cross-country travel this summer, if you are not the usual helmet wearer – remember to pack your helmet and wear your helmet when required by state law. For everyone else who wears the helmet every time they roll on the throttle, encourage your group members and fellow riders to join you in protecting their skull. We ride for the joy of it. Don’t risk a distracted driver taking away your thrill. If you don’t wear it for yourself, wear it for the ones you could leave behind due to a traumatic brain injury or worse. Until next time, make it a safe ride and keep living the…