Helmets - the definitive thread.. ** Mod Note - Please read Opening Post **

Is it possible also that most people would generally prefer not to wear helmets doing things that carry only a small risk of injury - so if the group doing the 'thing' is small in size... eg cycling... they can be pressured into wearing a helmet by the non-doers, whereas if the majority of people cycle regularly they all essentially look at each other and say/ agree "yeah, not gonna bother wearing this cycling into the office". A type of echo chamber/ confirmation bias thing? Most people don't do the thing = most people saying helmet should be worn. Most people do the thing = most people conclude that they don't need helmets.

It's a bit like wearing seatbelts in cars v. wearing seatbelts on coaches/ buses... they all have them, but nobody wears them and nobody bangs the drum. Yes, you can talk about risk, but the same point raised re helmets can be parroted back "but surely, if there is even a small risk, the minor inconvenience is worthwhile... why would you not"?

Just curious about the psychology behind it all and why it gets some people so worked up.

Its interesting alright. I wll wear one on the commute and road bike but don't when popping round the corner to the shop or gym, all within 1km. No real clue behind my logic as I am probably as likely to take a tumble in the 1km trip as on a longer spin. Maybe I just don't want friends and neighbours to see me with helmet hair??

I always wear one. I already look like a prat in lycra so adding a helmet to the outfit doesn't bother me :D

I don't expect it to work miracles, but I'll always wear PPE if there is a chance of it reducing / preventing injury in certain situations. Same goes for working with tools , chemicals etc.

All of these pedestrian fatalities were as a result of head injuries that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet ? Do you have anything to support your claim ? If so, you should be going to the media and Gov highlighting it. Fair play to you for putting all that work in. Very impressive.

*added "pedestrian" to clarify which fatalities I was referring to.

IMO we are all responsible for our own personal safety. As long as your decision doesn't put someone else at risk, then do what you want.

If helmet / hi-viz requirements were introduced tomorrow, how long would it be before it stopped being enforced regularly ? I rememeber seeing a good few commuters being stopped for a few weeks after the cycling specific fines came in, but I haven't seen it happen since. Do others see cyclists being stopped at all ?

I'd much rather see the Gov put focus on highly visible and consistant enforcement of the existing regulations relating to all road users. However that will involve an increase in the number of Gardai (and a kick up the hole for the existing ones that don't bother enforcing the current laws :D), so unlikely to happen.

Like the gardai I saw cruise through the amber-turning-red lights on my lunch break a few minutes ago? Nobody gives a s**t about road safety, if we're honest. Which is what p!sses cyclists off about being lectured to by motorists, the RSA and the Gardai.

You left a bit of my comment out.

"IMO we are all responsible for our own personal safety. As long as your decision doesn't put someone else at risk, then do what you want."