Some reasons to wear a motorcycle helmet?

People who ride motorcycles have differing opinions on wearing a helmet. Without getting into the big debate over whether we should be required by law to wear a helmet or the merits of existing helmet laws, let's look at some good reasons to wear one (My wife doesn't like to wear a helmet because she doesn't want her hair messed up!).

Some people would say that a helmet is the most important piece of safety gear you can wear and there are some good practical reasons for wearing a helmet as well. Accidents are going to happen. We may be the most careful and safe riders out on the road but that doesn't mean that everyone else is going to be as safe or careful as we are. Sometimes, even as the most careful riders, we do some bone headed things ourselves!

Some good reasons to wear a helmet are:

- Helmets cut down on ambient wind noise which allows you to hear other sounds around you much better. (This is true unless of course unless your bike is outfitted with pipes that make wind noise a moot point. )

- Helmets can reduce fatigue from the wind which will keep you more alert.

- Wearing a helmet with a visor, allows you to see better and also keeps you from being too distracted when insects, rocks, rain, dirt, debris or the occasional small bird hit your face. After having taken several large insects to the face at 60 mph, I much prefer that insects and such impact my visor. (Why is it that insects almost always seem to impact right at eye level, almost like they're aiming at you?)

- Wearing a bright-colored helmet can help other drivers to see you better especially if they're not looking for you.

- Wearing a helmet will protect your head upon contact with the pavement. Nothing like bouncing your head off the pavement after coming off your bike to appreciate the safety features built into today's helmets. I walked away from a nasty head on collision with a truck at 60+ mph with nothing more than a slight headache, some bruises and soreness. My helmet had a nice scuff on the side of it where my head bounced off the concrete. Without it, I'd probably be dead.

These are just a few reasons both practical and safety related, for wearing a helmet. Whether or not you agree with wearing one is up to you.

http://www.thehelmetfolks.com/