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AIBU?

AIBU to think that children should wear helmets whilst scooting

119 replies

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 06/05/2021 20:33

Most children I see riding bikes wear a helmet, but loads of children on scooters do not! Is riding a bike considered more dangerous than riding a scooter? AIBU to think that my (otherwise very sensible) friends who let their children scoot to school without a helmet are risking their children's safety? I get that helmets can be a faff and wearing one messes up my daughters hair, but I'm very firm that if she refuses to wear her helmet then she's walking! Bit embarrassed that we had a showdown about this in front of another mum who lets her child scoot helmet free.

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ComtesseDeSpair · 06/05/2021 20:35

I don’t think you can fall off a scooter in the same way you fall off a bicycle, can you? Wouldn’t falling from a scooter just be more like tripping when running?

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Talkwhilstyouwalk · 06/05/2021 20:36

I don't know, my daughter went over the handle bar once and I was very glad she was wearing her helmet!

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ComtesseDeSpair · 06/05/2021 20:36

Lower speed, different centre of gravity, less of a fall and more of a topple? I dunno, I’m just imagining scooting and it doesn’t feel in my head like cycling does!

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SnarkyBag · 06/05/2021 20:37

To be honest I don’t think you’re likely to sustain the same kind of injuries from falling off a scooter as you are a bike and no more likely to get hit by a car than you would walking so yeah I think a helmet for scootering is a hit overkill.

Unless of course she’s don’t the scooter park jumping ramps

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Talkwhilstyouwalk · 06/05/2021 20:38

I know what you mean but they do pick up quite a speed, especially downhill! Maybe I'm being too strict, not that I plan on changing my policy!

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Kottbullar · 06/05/2021 20:38

Mine don't wear them to scoot to school, they don't go fast enough to warrant one on pavements.
They wear them when they go to the park or anywhere where it's safe for them to go fast.

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shouldistop · 06/05/2021 20:38

I don’t think you can fall off a scooter in the same way you fall off a bicycle, can you? Wouldn’t falling from a scooter just be more like tripping when running?

^ this. Although I do put ds helmet on anyway.

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Mumdiva99 · 06/05/2021 20:39

Up to each parent to choose. My kids always wear helmets on bikes but never on scooters. My friend used to make her kids wear helmets on scooters. I think scooter accidents are less dangerous, but that might be my ignorance.

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Fitforforty · 06/05/2021 20:39

Mine have to wear helmets on scooters.

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Ellpellwood · 06/05/2021 20:40

My DS is 2.5 and he has to wear a helmet, but he gathers speed, stands both feet on it going down our (downhill) garden while yelling WHEEE, and ends his mission abruptly at the gate. Grin

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DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 06/05/2021 20:42

I make my DC wear their helmets for bikes and scooters. I don't mind other kids doing differently, I just tell my kids we decide what's best for our family and other people do what's best for them.
I think she'll find it harder in her teens, mind.

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Stompythedinosaur · 06/05/2021 20:43

I don't think scooters are as dangerous.

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Hankunamatata · 06/05/2021 20:43

Mine do as they are speed demons on their scooters.

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ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 06/05/2021 20:43

Surely this is commonsensical but (conversely) a personal parental “choice.”However based on repeated own child personal experience I highly recommend helmets for obvious safety benefits irrespective of probability of need for added protection and marginal inconvenience. For me it’s a no brainier and that is not because of witnessing young children unnecessarily hurt on commonly uneven surfaces and not having the protection of a safety helmet. Don’t let the precious little ones inadvertently suffer as safety first is always way to go!

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ProbablyGryffindor · 06/05/2021 20:43

My DD6 wears a helmet as I think she could still have a nasty fall off a scooter. I see a mixture of helmets and no helmet when other kids scooter around. Sometimes I wonder if we are being too cautious, but DD is very clumsy. So we will stick with the helmet.

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Hankunamatata · 06/05/2021 20:44

And jump and do tricks

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NewPapaGuinea · 06/05/2021 20:44

It’s also about normalising wearing helmets. My DS always wears a helmet and just does it. Like wearing a seatbelt, should just be something they do.

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LovePoppy · 06/05/2021 20:46

We’ve always required helmets

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Draineddraineddrained · 06/05/2021 20:47

My girl doesn't wear one (4yo) but that's because she only rides it on the park/playground at low speed. Can't see how she could hurt herself any worse than she might just running around tbh.

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MacavityTheDentistsCat · 06/05/2021 20:48

I absolutely agree. We always made DD wear a helmet on her scooter. One day, while racing me while I was running, she went over the scooter handle bar and face- planted the ground with her forehead. Shockingly, the helmet was completely and utterly wrecked. She was shaken up but it was nothing compared to the serious head injury she would otherwise have sustained.

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BobBobBobbin · 06/05/2021 20:48

Based on my experience, if it were purely based on the risk of hitting their heads, I wouldn’t bother with bikes or scooters and get them wearing helmets in the playground!

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JeanClaudeVanDammit · 06/05/2021 20:50

No scooting without a helmet for DD. It’s partly so she gets used to it being a blanket rule and we get less drama when it comes to wearing one on her bike but she also gets up some serious speed on that thing. Seems better safe than sorry?

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marplemead · 06/05/2021 20:50

DD, who is 4yo, wears a helmet on her scooter and on her bike. It's not worth the risk, and a good habit to get into.

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Scotinoz · 06/05/2021 20:51

I make mine wear helmets on scooters - no helmet, no scooter. I’ve had the awkward moment when they’re with other kids not wearing helmets, and I’ve put my foot down. It just is what it is, different families have different rules I guess.

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Summertime21 · 06/05/2021 20:51

Always a helmet on scooters in our family

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