This may tick some people off, but that does not bother me. Too many times I look in the mags and see full page ads of guys busting out WITH OUT HELMETS!!!!!! Well one of our own Mike A. posted this

For the first time since the accident Mike has started to talk about riding again. I think it’s the first time that he can see that as a possibility for his future. He also talked a lot about the need for a change in BMX culture concerning helmets. Mike say’s he’s learned a lesson about safety, a lesson he nearly paid for with his life, and he never wants any other riders to go through what he has gone through.
Thank you again for all of your support and prayers

It is time for ALL of US to wake up. If you wear a helmet when you ride cool, if you do not well maybe you should.

Mike C I hate to say this but BMX PLUS has full page ad's of guys without helmets, I love the mag, but I think now is the time to change. RideBMX also does the same thing. I am not "standing on a soapbox" but somone has to say something. If people wanna blast me well go ahead, I am a grown man, I can handle it.

I give props to you, Ant Dog. I ride motorcycles as well as ride bmx and my helmet is like American Express, never leave home without it. the things that the younger generation are doing trickwise, you need a helmet. one wrong move and it could be over. do yourself and everyone else that loves you and wear a helmet.

I stand by my above statement. I want to see the carnage stop. If anyone from the x games or dew tour reads this, please consider making full face helmets & full pads mandatory. DMC still rides a full face in contests the yougins should follow the vet's example.

If I am the same Mike C you're talking about, no need to worry, I haven't worked there in 20 years, so speak on it.

I think that the freestyle guys of today are too thuggish, ruggish to helmet up, so if the magazines insisted on only running guys in brain buckets, they'd have a lot of empty pages and no ads to sell. Unfortunately, this has been an issue since day one in the BMX press. Though I agree that you gotta fight the good fight, the other side is shouting at the tops of THEIR lungs "let those who ride decide!"

And especially in AD content, the magazine is in an impossible position to go with accepted practices, but still provide a good example for the readers.

Would be nice to see it resolved someday, but as long as there are kids raging against the machine, so too will there be BMXers riding without helmets (running with scissors, too, I'd imagine).


Best,

M

ER docs will tell ya, thin the herd, they call un - helmeted riders organ donors. (street bikes primarily...)Seriously though, I agree I would like to see everyone use common sense, but its not going to happen. Parents should make it a priority to ensure their kids have safety gear, but they cant make them wear it when they arent there. Adults 18 and over, well, what can ya do?
Another important safety innovation I believe in is the leatt brace. Have you guys seen any pictures of Loretta Lynns national? Almost every kid on the gate is wearing a leatt, as well as many or most of the older riders. I wear one every time I mx, and Im sure I will be wearing it when I return to the bmx track. Im pretty sure it has done its job several times already. Decline magazine posted a report saying your 1000 times less likely to suffer a neck injury wearing one. Thats huge.
http://mxsports.com/index.cfm
every kid in the photo has one on.

Mike I hear what you are saying, and that is why I posted this here, you have first hand knowledge of how the mags work. So I pose a ?. Is there a way to convince the companies to change their way of thinking? has it gotten to the point that they tuely do not care,I personally do not think so. I am just tired of seeing guys getting wrecked, some who have no medical insurace. Yes it's okay to look cool and carry the hardcore image, But it does you know good if you end up on a machine or you can't take care of yourself anymore all because you wanted to look cool.

Read page 23 of the november BMX today, A 12 year old girl Ashley Burt, is going around educating pre schoolers about Helmet Safety. If you instill it while they are young it might stick

this is from a member of bmx museum

This summer, a friend of mine took his son to a BMX demo at our local skate park. After the show, he had a chance to take one of the rider’s bikes for a quick little spin, just rolling around a bit (and I mean he was just coasting, getting a feel, kind of like you would inside a shop). In the blink of an eye, he misjudged something and took a dive off a little 3-foot platform.

He split his head (front to back). Big ol’ nasty flap of scalp hanging off, serious trauma to the head. Life-flight was called in. His son had to watch. 5 days in the hospital, lots of worry and stress for the family. There were concerns about permanent damage.

He’s ok today.

He’s an experienced rider. It was a fluke, but it happens. I hate to preach (and you younger guys hate to hear it) but it’s selfish not to wear a helmet. I have yet to hear a valid argument against wearing one. But it is a choice.

The problem that this issue always runs up against is the fact that wearing a helmet is, to some riders, seen as a type of 'conformity.' It is "establishment" and observant of the (written or unwritten) rules that adults (sponsors, magazine moguls, etc.) want followed. That, alone (without regard to any life & limb risk, since most of these guys are still in their "I'm invincible" stage) is reason enough to leave the helmet at home to these guys.

This lot has a healthy (and loudly-professed) resentment of authority, shuns the establishment, and wears the "circle A" as a badge of honor. I am going to tip-toe up to the Site FAQ line when I pose this question, but I think it has relevance to the question. Of these riders who refuse to wear helmets, I wonder what their position is on condom use? Lack of use in either case can cause you to die. Both can leave you dreadfully disabled and in agonizing pain for what remains of your miserable post-injury life. So, if there are any helmetless hotshots out there, what's your stance on covering up the other head?

*IMPORTANT* I am not posing this question for this thread to spin off the topic of HELMET use in BMX and into a parade of sarcastic, locker room humor about something or other. Such comments will be summarily deleted. I am really trying to get an answer here and see if people who engage in risky behavior by not wearing a helmet when they ride also engage in other risky behavior. At one time, it was not considered cool to use a condom. Now, from what this married-10-years reporter hears, in the singles scene, it is quite the opposite and has been for a while now.

I think there was a similar "I ain't wearing that thing...I'm tough" mentality 20 years ago in the law enforcement community with respect to wearing a bulletproof vest. I know we have a lot of law enforcement in our community, so maybe you can weigh in here how the culture was changed among an equally macho, though presumably more rules-oriented group.

Best,

M

Morgan Wade got tired of recking and he switched over to a full face no, another thing that bothers me is the brakeless craze, to me not only the riders can get hurt but what about someone walking by and the riders has no brakes.

Ah the brakeless craze, well it is not really new- guys were riding brakes in the 90's but most of em were flatlanders, But you bring up a point, most brakesless guys do not where helmets

If you don't understand the no helmets/brakes thing you're probably not riding much street -- if any. At which point explaining things to you would take much too long.

GO did a great article on safety gear some years ago. It was the most intelligent and well thought out presentation of all this stuff I've ever read. It came right on the heels of Wilkerson's near fatal crash, and I would think it was the first time in the industry that people really started to realize that sometimes this stuff can be very dangerous.

Can someone post a link to that article? I know it has to be around here somewhere.....

Elvis what do you mean. I understand, I choose not to accept.

I think seeing the pro riders in the mags doin it makes it OK.
I mean for example Ryan Guettler (sp?) has a signature Protec but how many pics do you see of him without a helmet?
I agree the magazines have a huge part in this.
When I done an article for an Aussie mag (Pancake) in 82 we had no choice. No helmet, no article. I never rode with a helmet in the skatepark. I was lucky.
Today my kids to not get on their bikes without one. I don't care what everyone says. my kids lives are too precious to me.
Good on you Ant. You have my full support.

It takes a leap of faith...

At someone's else event or facility, helmets need to be worn for insurance reasons.
Any other time it is personal choice. I often ride helmetless, but when I am pushing what I consider my limits, it's on my head. (yes, I know all about the "it usually happens when you AREN'T pushing limits" adage)
I've personally seen a guy I know get a slight concussion and quite a few stitches from not wearing a helmet while trail riding.
I'd love to rant about how all pros should wear helmets to set an example but then that would make me and I am sure many other people on here hypocrites and that is even worse than not wearing a helmet, because no one likes a hypocrite.

I'd just like to say, if a promoter or park owner asks you to wear a helmet, don't give em a hard time, the park - event wouldn't be there if we didn't toss on helmets for those places. (That side of the coin I have been in on.)

If you are not a mother or a father, a sister or a brother. A son or a daughter, a husband or a wife. If you are none of these then move along. There is nothing for you here.

“Let those who ride decide.”
But before you make that decision you might talk to your family and loved ones first. Look them strait in the eye and express the strength of your conviction not to wear that helmet. If they love you they will understand. They will understand while they are caring for you because you no longer can take care of yourself because of “your choice” not to helmet up. Get used to those adult diapers and doctors visits, the surgeries and therapy and financial strain because you can’t work anymore. Just pray your insurance picks up the bulk of your doctor and hospital bills. (That is if you have insurance.) Otherwise could be just another name on the welfare rolls collecting your disability check, if you’re lucky.

I'm just scratching the surface here.

Just remember, when you say “the decision is on me” it’s not. It’s not only on you it’s on every single person you know and love. And if you gave a damn about them at all you would not be so selfish about a decision that could potentially affect the rest of your life. Not to mention the lives of everyone you love. Feeling the weight on the shoulders yet?
If not I’m sorry, but not to worry you’ll most likely cull yourself from the herd soon enough. If so good! And welcome to the human race.

Mi dos centavos.

If these kids saw all the surgey equipment waiting at the front door of the hospitals here in

daytona area during bike week they might wear them more . I wear mine cause I dont want any

holes drilled in my gord .

I forgot to mention that I do support a person’s right to choose for themselves whether to wear a helmet or not. My main point is to not make that sort of decision lightly. It is not a flip a coin kind of thing it’s a deadly serious choice.

Mike C. I like the condom analogy. Its spot on.

i use to ride my road bike (bicycle not motorcycle) every once and a while without my helmet. my wife says to me..."not wearing your helmet?...remember, if you end up a vegetable, I'm pulling the plug..." she was kidding, i think

it's just not worth it (wife, kids, jobs, life in general)

i took a nasty crash about 9 years ago doc said if i did not have my helmet on i would be dead so i support helmets all the way

This guy isn't taking any chances and neither should you!!

man i think about it all the time what if i did not bring my helmet that day, i would be dead and not racing

Don't kid yourself about conformity and anti-authoritarian stances. Kids do what the pros do. We all did when we were young. If half a dozen influential street riders (for instance, Aitken, DeLarosa, Martinez, Biz, Wiz, and Homan, just to pick a few at random) started wearing helmets all the time, every 15-year-old BMX kid on earth would be sporting a Pro-Tec within two weeks. Would this be a good thing for BMX? Absolutely. But should magazine editors force it to happen by denying coverage to helmetless riders? Absolutely not.

what the hell have i been saying all day???

ant is on the right track..

and mr sod's post page 1 ( i think its #19) can you PLEASE post THAT someplace wehre hardheaded riders will see it.

why is it more the voice of reason over here at this site?

a freind of my husbands who had diabetes since he was young was one of the first pancreas /kidney combo transplant recipients years ago.. they told him to first move to the state with no helmet laws and to get on their list....( at the time ct had the highest procurement rate but their list was long so he moved to md or va i forget which it was.... it is true no helmet laws allow for increased harvested organs( i used to work with these cases in the icu keeping them "cool "while the life flight harvesters were on their way ...this is no joke) now i know its not the same as riding a bicycle but it can be just as devastating..

everyone who dosnt wear a helmet at trails for example should watch the mike aiken video just posted... watch it and then watch it AGAIN.. imagine the heartbreak his wife was going thru then take a look at the hurt in his eyes as he speaks of the thought of never seeing his son again.

its worth THAT choice?

plus like i said dont the bigger pros all have helmet sponsors?? whats up with that?

all the events on tv they wear helmets and sport all sorts of sponsor stickers/ logos is that not cool enough for the street riders or trail guys who think they are invincable??


dont mean to get upset but my son was hit by a car while doing sprints in a parking lot without a helmet a few weeks ago and thank god he is ok.. he jumped off just in time as his bike slid under her car... so yea i am a little sensitive to this topic... with good reason...

With every BMX bike sold should be a photo of the aftermath of a head injury, enclosed in the manual. In Canada they have a picture of what lung cancer looks like on every pack of cigarettes.

thats a good idea,just a pic of some guy with his wig split open

i broke my neck and the whole left side of my face ...with a pro tec ......doesnt say much for those types of helmets...........theres certian injurys that would require more protection then a plastic bowl on top of your head! dont get it twisted

Year and a half ago my oldest daughter had a nasty crash at our indoor. She was cranking real hard around the berm and the kid in front of her wrecked and with her being so close, she slammed into his side and flipped over the bars. Arms went out to catch the fall and she ended up with a broken wrist (L- Shaped) and a BROKEN FULL FACE Helmet(broke both sides of the mouth gaurd on her Pryme helmet. No injuries to her face and neck... To this day she has kept the helmet as a reminder of WHY she wears a full face helmet. Just goes to show you don't have to cause the wreck yourself to be injured badly in a crash.

Ryan

<<<<<<

I am a FIRM believer in helmets, I would not be here now if I rode without, I was on my motorcycle when I got into my accident but I have always been a promoter of helmet use both on and off the track, when I ride I have my full face and body armor, and the knowledge that it has in the past saved my life, and hopefully it wont have to again, but it will be there.

Dexter>>>>>

I am definitely guilty of not wearing a lid, but I am beginning to reconsider. I worked at one paper a few years ago that would not let me run a photo of a kid on a bike or a skateboard if they weren't wearing a helmet. The publisher felt that it "promoted" safety.

A friend at our local track had his 6 year old get hit(car) on the road while riding his bmx bike without a helmet, ended up in our local children's hospital ,you've heard this story before,severe head trauma,docs talking funeral arrangements,well over a year later now the boy has SIGNIFICANT personality change and is not the same kid, has not been able to return to school, still has memory issues. He was just on his neighborhood street,low speed hit from a next door guy.Doc's say he should not race,another blow might be his last,even with his helmet. THINK BEFORE YOU RIDE AND WEAR A HELMET SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DO SO!

Mike is right in the correllation to helmets when riding vs body armor in law enforcement. It was probably more like 25-30 years ago though. (I came in the buisness in 1991, almost 20 years ago and armor wearing was drilled into my head for the street then)

Helmets. It just seems like a no-brainer to me. Wait...thats what happens when you DONT wear one.

Kids won't even put pads that fit under your clothes on these days much less be seen wearing a helmet.
It's so not cool.
It's sad to me though.
I'm still really guilty of not wearing my helmet.
If I'm riding a concrete bowl or in a skatepark, I will wear it and some pads.
But I'll ride trails all day without one.
Not doing gigantic 360's like Aitken, but still probably not that safe.
Riding for 25 years can give you a false sense of security sometimes.

That had to hurt...

Picked up a Vigor Royale and rode with it for the first time. ITCHY and HOT! But I guess it's better than drooling and eating a liquid diet at some care home.

I wore a helmet BITD because I saw it in the magazines-Freestyle or Race, all pictures were taken with guys in helmets as a minimum, but often in their full gear. Times obviously changed, and no helmet/gear seems to be a freedom of expression type thing. It is refreshing to see "old timers" like Mirra wearing a full face helmet.
When I got back into riding at the park, I started with a Pro Tech type helmet. After a few sessions I converted to a full face(I also saw plenty of episodes of "Scarred" on MTV). At my age, I don't need to get my grille re-done.

Now that I have a full face, I don't ride trails or at the track without it. I love it.

Once you make the decision to starting wearing a helmet it doesn't take long to get used too and they are well worth the temporary discomfort.

I agree with that statement except for the fact that mine is comfy as hell and I don't mind it.

I need a new helmet for next season.

My thought goes to sponsors.
If your rider is caught riding without protection your investment in that rider is at risk. Why then do you not beat this message into your riders heads- "Ride without a helmet, lose your ride (job). wreck with a helmet and we will cover the doctors bill" (insurance).

Yah that should be written into their contract under something like rider responsibilities.

Not wearing a helmet is not about looking cool or being "Hard core" it's all about risk assesment. Thats what kids will say why they don't wear one but, Science has proven that the impuls control and risk assesment centers of the brain are not fully formed untill age 25, 25!

Now trust me I'm all about the helmet but you can't make anyone wear one if they don't want to.

Helmets are no different than, binge drinking, not wearing condoms, smoking etc.. all it takes is one time and you can be screwed for life.

Ditto