Campfire Discussions

Helmets: Required All the Time or Only in Certain Situations?

by Outdoor Hub on October 3, 2011

Helmets: Required All the Time or Only in Certain Situations?

We all either have a personal helmet story or at least know someone who’s been in an accident where the helmet saved them or absence of one severely hurt them. They are available for motorcycles, skiers and snowboarders, bike riders, even boating. For some it’s common sense to wear one now, but for others it’s burdensome and unnecessary. Some states have made it into law, while other times it’s up to the user to decide if the activity calls for a helmet. Perhaps it’s a matter of finances – helmets can be expensive, but what about the cost of medical care after an accident?

Do you use helmets or not? Let’s strike up a campfire, share experiences and determine if helmets should be required across the board or if it’s something that should forever be left up to the user to decide.

Photo: Percy
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  • Anonymous

    I’m all for protecting kids’ lives when we allow them to participate in various sports and recreational activities, but as an adult, I strongly advocate for personal responsibility. If someone wants to enjoy high-risk activities without wearing a helmet, AND is not harming others in the process, they should be free to do so. After all, “the pursuit of Happiness” is one of three aspects listed among the “unalienable Rights” or sovereign rights of man in the Declaration of Independence. If it makes one happy, go for it.

    Regardless of how one feels on a personal level, if we continue chipping away at the need for greater personal responsibility, we’ll only have ourselves to blame when government controls every aspect of our lives.

    On a personal level, I rode quads for 10 years, mostly on the Oregon coast, and never went without a helmet. I saw a good percentage of riders without a helmet and couldn’t understand why someone would make that choice. However, that was their choice to make, and if they were willing to accept the fact that they could be seriously injured in an accident, what right do we have as a society to tell them to wear a helmet? I could make the same argument for many other laws that exist today.

  • Agnieszka Spieszny

    In a way this argument has similarities between the Pro-Life/Pro-Choice debate, minus all the religious involvement… Should it be riders’ choice or should it be mandated by the state that helmets are required? Personally, the arguments against wearing helmets are much weaker than the ones in favor of helmets.
    Wearing your seat belt in a car became mandatory and enforced by law (at least in Michigan) and helmets should be the same. There’s simply no reason not to other than comfort. But think, when is comfort more important than safety?
    Financially it makes sense as well for the rider to protect themselves from expensive medical bills and also for the public who will foot a good percentage of medical services with their taxes.
    Seriously, what’s one GOOD reason not to wear a helmet?

  • Smash

    I ride around on my private land all of the time without a helmet, but generally speaking I’m not doing anything remotely risky.

    On public land/roads/ORV trails, I always make sure to wear a helmet.

  • http://twitter.com/PeterWood PeterWood

    In Ontario its the law, you must wear an approved helmet on public land with insurance and license. No rules for private property, caution and responsible driving should be followed if no helmet used. After all its your head!