Teaching family members the importance of wearing a helmet

They think that they need not wear helmets if they are just taking the scooter for short trips.

BHPian aravindb_0711 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As an automotive enthusiast, I am constantly reminded of the importance of safety gear by the in numerous experiences recounted by fellow members of Team-BHP. We know that life threatening injuries are possible in road accidents and hence, we take adequate measures for safety.

Sadly, most people lack seriousness in this regard. They think that they need not wear helmets if they are just taking the scooter for short trips and moreover, they think that riding safely is enough to prevent accidents. People don't understand that they are putting their life at a huge risk by not wearing a helmet and give trivial reasons for not wearing one.

I have always had a tough time trying to make my family members buy and wear proper helmets. I constantly remind them of the importance, but I'm just ignored most of the times.

Share your experiences and help me make all people wear helmets!

Here's what BHPian shyamg28 had to say on the matter:

There is no easy way to do it honestly. I think most of the concerns are usually around how expensive good gear can be, as well as how uncomfortable it can get.

In my case, I sit down and have a conversation around these two items in depth.

I try to explain how a trip to the hospital can be more expensive than good riding gear. And that is conditional on the human being alive, but I avoid bringing this part up just because it is perceived as macabre and non-conducive to a conversation where I'm trying to convince someone.

Secondly, I try to show examples of good (but usually cheaper than what I would want them to get) gear that has some features that aid rider comfort.

Lastly, I think social perception of how someone is a "show-off" if they wear riding gear also plays a negative role in our minds. I don't really know how to tackle this one, but maybe, showing some YouTube videos of big riding groups completely geared up might help.

Here's what BHPian RedTerrano had to say on the matter:

When my kiddo was small, she saw my helmet and wanted one. So after lot of searching I found one suitable for her size and we would go riding together. Sadly she outgrew the helmet.

When she was old enough to get a license, I told her I would sponsor her any vehicle as long as she wore a helmet at all times. She didn't have any problems. I guess seeing me wear the helmet made a good impression for her.

Now that she has graduated to four wheels, I am happy to see she doesn't even hit the ignition until her and the pax (if any) has bucked up.

Here's what BHPian vigsom had to say on the matter:

Brace for impact. Tough post ahead.

This incident dates back to 2003 and IIRC, it was Navratri. One of my building mates starts his CD100SS to go just to the end of the street to get something from a grocer. He goes out of the building, and just at the next building, gets hit by a speeding UV. He is thrown up, comes down head first, head hits a concrete surface right outside the next building, and part of his skull opens up. Nobody there knows that he resides just next door. Some good samaritan bundles him into another good samaritan's Qualis, and he is rushed to Emergency care in one of the good hospitals in Surat. Info reaches the family after an hour based on his company ID card in his wallet. People who perform a scan says he has no chance, and eventually he gets operated upon after 4 hours. He held on. It took him 4 months to return home, and approx. 3 years to return to normalcy.

I used to have a 2-stroke Scooty then, and wouldn't use a helmet on that vehicle, although I'd use one on the Super, Chetak, LML and other "heavier" machines. Ever since I experienced this incident, I'm back to 100% helmet ways even if I have to just ride two blocks away. My wife and my son have always donned helmets when going out together, much to the amusement of other riders, but they don't bother. So, a helmet is non-negotiable!

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