Its summertime, the weather is changing, the sun is warm and the air is cool. Lots of folks are out on their bicycles and motorcyles enjoying the freedom of being out on two wheels. I also enjoy the freedom and fresh air of being outside, riding back roads, trails and just feeling the wind in my face.

Bicycle or mortorcyle, whatever your preference, please wear a helmet. And buy a brush or comb if you’re worried about “helmet hair”.

Regardless of what the laws are in your state, your risk of injury and death are greatly reduced in the event of an accident. According to the IIHS only 17 states and the District of Columbia require helmets. That same website also states that “helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.”

There’s always more than one side to the story, right? I’m sure some will read that as that the risk is worth the reward. That most likely it won’t happen to me. Unless it does…then what?

I also think about how this issue brings up the idea of how we are supposed to co-exist in society – that is, how are we responsible for the actions of others? Someone has the right to choose whether to wear a helmet or not, but whose responsibility is it to clean up the mess when someone is injured or dies? Certainly there are emergency crews who will be tasked with cleaning up the brains splattered on the road. Of course we hope those people voluntary signed up for that job – both the benefits and requirements of the duties involved. But if you won’t be cleaning yourself up, counting on someone else being there for you, what’s your responsibility to take preventive measures in the first place?

It’s an interesting debate that I hope can be a part of our discourse about who we are and how we want to live.

In the meantime, please be safe and know that if someone cares about you, you owe it to them to take care of yourself. If you love yourself, you owe it to yourself to feel good and be healthy. Here’s a link to a page with all sorts of options for helmets. Lots of options to choose from, just pick one. Go Forth.