Pros and Cons of Motorcycle Helmets – What Should You Consider?

The pros of motorcycle helmets are apparent. But there are still some notable cons that you should consider before deciding to wear one. Things like sweating and unsightly hairstyle may be an inconvenience. Still, as you’ve learned, motorcycle death rates due to head injuries are lower in states with helmet laws. Today, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of motorcycle helmets, mainly depending on people’s opinions and practical examination.

A few people love helmet use and think it is safe, while another group blames helmets for making accidents worse because it does not protect their head when they fall off the bike. Don’t worry! Let us check both theories to make things easier for you. We will compare Wearing A Motorcycle Helmet vs. Not Wearing A Helmet and let you know a final decision. Read on to learn more about them to pick the one that suits your need.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws (Pros and Cons of Motorcycle Helmets)

Motorcycle helmet laws are not universal, but all require that riders wear a helmet. Specific local and county ordinances may also apply. Some states require all riders aged 17 or younger to wear helmets, while others require all motorcyclists to wear helmets. No matter the circumstance, protective gear is always crucial if you want to come out of your next crash unscathed.

If you plan to use your helmet during the summer months, check for its compliance with safety standards issued by the D.O.T. (the United States Department of Transportation) or Snell (an independent non-profit organization). Helmets with properly approved safety standards comply with the regulations mentioned above. The United States Department of Transportation requires helmets to meet the criteria.

However, Nowadays, We highly believe that motorcycle helmets are a part of the riding law—and in some states, they are obligatory. But even when it’s not needed (say you are a pro), consider the pros and cons of wearing one. We’ll look at the factors behind helmet use, discuss why helmets can save lives, and examine how you can stay safe without fear on two wheels.

The Cons of Motorcycle Helmets

Examinations and experience provide the cons of helmets that we will explain. We’re not just going to make a list based on others’ theories. Instead, we have researched the cons depending on death statistics, the value of use, and personal experiences. So, here are the cons:

• Poor air circulation – Riders who ignore the air circulation can have thinning hair, flaky scalps, or even severe baldness. And it’s not just sweating or humidity; some cyclists may knowingly or unknowingly mess up their hair follicles by riding without a proper helmet airflow!

• Low visibility – Strangely, the visibility aspect is one of the more rarely researched and known cons for helmets. There are some extra lenses that pro riders use mainly at nighttime or when it’s stormy. It helps them see better in low-light situations (like city driving). Not to mention there are also some helmets available with unique visor technology. 

• It’s stuffy – Ask anyone who owns a helmet, and they’ll be able to tell you that, yes, sometimes it can get stuffy inside. This fact is especially actual with the Texas heat riding with the wind blowing through your hair as you’re cruising down the road. Riding without a helmet seems more appealing to many riders, but the risk of injury far outweighs the desire not to wear one.

The Pros of Motorcycle Helmets

Aside from being a legal requirement, helmets also help keep your head attached to the body. Therefore, people think it is essential to wear one when driving or riding a motorcycle. But then again, there are limitations on what we can say about the pros of wearing helmets in real-life situations.

Sadly, motorcycle helmet vs. no helmet statistics has shown that hundreds of fatalities occur even with helmets. However, let’s jump on to the pros now:

• Greater Chances of Preventing Injury – One of the superb ways to protect yourself while riding a motorcycle is to wear a helmet. A study published by the NHTSA found that helmets were responsible for saving an estimated 1,699 lives and preventing 781 additional injuries between 1989-1998. Besides, helmets help prevent serious head injuries, including skull fractures, concussions, and internal bleeding.

• Illegal activities and charges – Some states have specific helmet laws. For instance, in Texas, If you are above 21, you may choose not to wear a helmet only if you have a motorcycle safety course certificate and have insurance covering motorcycle injuries. In this way, wearing helmets prevent you from illegal activities. Most importantly, you can stay out of tension for charges due to not wearing helmets.

• Keep Yourself Protected From Hazards – Open road motorcycling can be a challenge. The motorcycle road hazards are ever-present, from other motorists to environmental hazards and wind. Stay protected from the elements with a quality motorcycle helmet.

Why You Should Wear a Helmet While Riding a Motorcycle

In general, motorcycle helmets are a great safety decision. While they do provide added protection, they also come with some drawbacks. For example, they can be difficult to store due to their bulk and weight, and they may be uncomfortable depending on your head shape. Overall, it’s good to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle.

You may think wearing a motorcycle helmet will help you prevent things, but they aren’t blocks against everything. Most fatalities happen without a helmet, but that doesn’t mean the fatal crashes were preventable. Helmets are just one of the tools to protect your head in an accident, not prevent one entirely. They do help in the event of a crash, though only if they fit correctly and offer good protection.

Therefore, let’s discuss the correct use of helmets and examine how they work to protect you.

Consequences of not wearing a motorcycle helmet

According to well-known research conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, your risk of sustaining a brain injury declines by 85% by wearing a helmet.

And yet, over half of all young motorcyclists do not wear helmets when riding. The study’s authors say two main reasons: People don’t like how they look and don’t fit properly.

There has been a steady decline in the interest in bicycle helmets over the last five years on google trends. Check it below:

Everyone wants to look good, but we all know what happens when you put a great helmet on an ugly head. We highly recommend wearing helmets on the road. Things like your hairstyle or having a friend of the opposite sex; are not reasons to skip out on safety.

Some Reasons That Will Convince You to Wear a Helmet (Regardless of the pros and cons of motorcycle helmets)

We highly recommend focusing on the reality rather than the pros and cons of motorcycle helmets.

If you’re still waffling about wearing a helmet, there are many significant reasons to wear it, whether you’re biking on the road or off it. Fortunately, we can sum it up in one word: safety. Below, we have presented the list of reasons you should own a helmet.

• The most important reason to wear your helmet is that 900 people die each year in bicycle accidents, 75% of them from head injuries.

• Helmets work to reduce the chance of severe injury or death in head-related accidents by as much as 85%.

• A motorcycle helmet impact study by C.D.C. says that a helmet “reduces the rotational force of an impact to the head by an estimated 20% to 30%,” that’s equivalent to “a seven mph fall onto concrete-covered with a bare head decreases energy absorption by 50%—and that can mean the difference between life and death.
• If you don’t put on a helmet, you could wake up with a broken bone in a hospital. Your mother said: “You should have been wearing a helmet.”
• A helmet can save your life. It might not be comfortable, and it’s certainly not stylish, but it’s a wise investment.
• Wearing a helmet always helps you through the motorcycle insurance claim process after you are injured. The insurance company finds you innocent, and therefore, the plus point goes on your side.

Conclusion (How Should You See  The Pros and Cons of Motorcycle Helmets)

Wearing a helmet is something that I have always done because I think that it’s safer. Indeed, There are several reasons why some people do not wear helmets, but I believe it’s a personal decision, and you should make it yourself at the end of the day. Just remember that many people will tell you to wear a helmet, and many will tell you not to.

As a motorcyclist, I understand how important it is to wear a helmet. Motorcycling is a fun and convenient way to get around the united states. However, to ensure that cyclists have a safe ride, there are some rules you must follow. Rather than considering the pros and cons of motorcycle helmets, we should consider that a helmet can help prevent serious head injuries if you are involved in an accident.

Finally, If you’re one of those parties who has been riding a bike around town with no helmet, you may want to rethink that decision. Wearing a bicycle helmet is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from head injuries if you are involved in an accident. It’s not a must to be a hard-core motorcyclist, and your helmet does not have to look like something Darth Vader might wear. Helmets are light, easy to carry around, and come in cool colors, so why not rock one?

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