Slightly OT: Helmet law essay

[Briliu]

In my english class i need to write a persuasive essay. I decided to do it on the helmet law and how some states have repealed theirs or never had one.

So what I need from you all is this:

Why do you wear a helmet? <--- most important
If you dont, tell me why.
Do you see any negatives in wearing one? If so, what?

And i need more than "it protects your head/face" if at all possible  . Im not sure if i am going to get into the stupid little helmets over full face ones, so just jot down what you thing and i'll slap it in there.

So far i have these for reasons to wear one:

Saftey in a collision (duh??? :dunno: )
Cars kicking junk into the air and bugs!!
When people get seriously injured or killed (more likley w/o helmet) everyones medical bills and insurance goes up if the person doesnt have any.

And these for my refutation (why people dont wear them):

They believe they arnt hurting anyone but themselves.
Image... not cool? (thinking about putting this in, if i dont think of anything better)


Just let me know what you think. I promice, this is the only time i will have you guys do my homework for me!  

[South East Rocket]

Nagatives for me:

Fogs up, less comfortable

Positives for me:

Safety, helps me keep my proteins down my not eating bugs

I dont know it you'll find a whole lot more from anyone here.... :dunno:

[Briliu]

Yea, I figured that I got the majority of it. I didnt think about the fog though, i think i just found my second refutation! "Can cause saftey risks themselves" (fogging, peripherial vision, and hearing)

Yes, i know that helmets dont limit vision or hearing that much (they help hearing by eliminating most of the wind noise) but its a common misconception.

Keep em coming, thanks S.E.R! Or is it chronic nose picker?  :dunno:  

[DrtRydr23]

Positives for wearing a helmet:

Image:  for sport bikers, a full face helmet is the look to have, especially with full gear and stuff.  Some riders still prefer the image of no helmet, but many prefer the helmeted look because it's more like the pros that race sport bikes.

Individuality:  companies only make so many bikes in so many colors.  Since modifying or putting cool ass paint jobs on the bike can be expensive, getting a cool helmet with cool graphics can set you apart from other riders at less of a cost than actually changing your bike's look.

Protection from the cold:  ask anyone that goes without a helmet how much riding in the cold sucks.  Your face freezes, your eyes water and then the tears freeze to your face, and your ears might as well fall off from the cold.  With the helmet, it gives you a lot of protection from the elements as a windbreak and as protection from rain (or snow depending on the circumstances).

Negatives for wearing a helmet:

Hot weather:  when you're riding during the summer months a helmet can be very hot.  Even with vents and stuff, the 100 degree plus wind going into the helmet doesn't help cool your head down.  Also, when you're sitting still at a light it's pretty miserable.

Hair:  helmet hair can suck.  If you're going somewhere where you need to look good and you want to ride there, the helmet can make your hair look crappy.  I've actually adjusted my hair style to accomodate wearing a helmet when I ride, but it still doesn't look good enough for dates, dinners, meetings, etc.  Sure you could just drive, but some people only have a motorcycle for transportation, plus if you're going on a date showing up on a bike is much cooler.


Thats all I've got off the top of my head.  Hopefully this stuff is helpful.  Good luck on the paper.

John L.

[Wrencher]

Positive for wearing one: Heat. There are several months in Arizona that you are better off wearing a helmet and staying cooler than you would without one. Cuts down on dehydration as well.

I occasionally ride without a helmet just for the freedom and feeling of not being inside a bubble.

[Briliu]

thanks for helping guys. I finished it, I can post it up here if you want. It is a bit long though, 1378 words, 5 pages double spaced. Its not my best work but i think i did pretty well. Lemmie know if you wanna see it :mrgreen:

[yamahonkawazuki]

what about setting up a geoshitties site, an posting there, and then posting link here?, just a thought, cause 5 pages, just for the original post would seem kinda long, but i do want to see it though   btw, when i got frankenbike rollin', i did not even own a helmet. rode for a few times without, but i traded for an old fulmer helmet, which ill use till i get my new icon, was interesting without. (wind in hair etc.),but bugs in face sucked    :x  :x  :x

[Wrencher]

I second wanting to read it. Might be easier to email it however rather than a 2.5 page post (single spaced).

[cozy]

I wear a helmet first and foremost, to protect my head.
When it fogs up i crack open the visor and remind myself that there are people i love who i would not want to leave behind in this world just yet, and that i wouldn't want them to have to feed me baby food becuase i was too foolish to think i didn't need to wear one. there are no helmet laws in PA.

[scratch]

I had a couple of good ones!

For:

The helmet is an excellent identification device post crash, because it preserves the head to match the picture on the driver's licence or they'll be able to match dental records.

Against:

It's easier to blowdry your hair without one.

[alerbaugh]

I wear a helmet but I always ride with the visor up unless it's 40- outside.  The wind in your face has an effect that will change your whole outlook on it.  I just feel more free when I don't wear one for short rides around the block or the 1/4 mile to work.  Another reason I wear one is because my girlfriend lost her brother when he wrecked and if she ever saw me not wearing one she'd flip out majorly :x .  Now when I ride in a high risk enviroment like offroad, gravel roads, rain, snow.  If there is any chance of an uncalculated weather or other conditions I'll wear one to go even around the block!  So pretty much comfort.

[Briliu]

Alrighty, i uploaded the file onto the space i have from my ISP, its in *.doc format which means that if you dont have word, you cant see it. I didnt do anything fancy in it except headers so shouldent have a problem with being backward compatable.

http://home.rochester.rr.com/briliueq/persuasive_II.doc

you can either view it on the net, or download it. Like i said earlier, its not my best work! Let me know if you would suggest i change anything, this is just the 2nd draft!  

*edit* my url was broked!

[scratch]

Excellent! I think it is well written!

[Briliu]

thanks!!    

[mwdbruno]

I second Scratch's approval.  Well written and excellent quote of facts and opinions.  

[JohNLA]

Yep, good read

[Mat]

The helmet is an excellent identification device post crash, because it preserves the head to match the picture on the driver's licence

unless your helmet is stuck in the grill of the truck like i saw in some pics floating around on this board

[Mat]

Since modifying or putting cool ass paint jobs on the bike can be expensive, getting a cool helmet with cool graphics can set you apart from other riders at less of a cost than actually changing your bike's look.

a helmet with wicked graphics can be damn expensive too and chances are you will have to replace it when you crash anyways

you can still ride with scratched paint  but in most places you can't without a helmet