Partner refusing to wear bike helmet

[Minky719]

Hello Mumsnet,

I’m fairly sure I’m not being unreasonable here but wanted to get some further opinions on this.

DP purchased a bike recently and has been enjoying going for bike rides after work in the good weather. We live in the middle of a large City, so much of the cycling is done on main roads.

The issue I’m having is he just refuses to wear a helmet. He didn’t originally purchase one when he got the bike which I called him up on, and he did then buy a helmet soon after. It fits fine so no issues there, but he’s probably worn it once.

He’s just gone out on a bike ride and yet again is not wearing a helmet. I told him before he left now that I’m not happy about it and asked him why he can’t just wear one when he can see it bothers me (not to mention the very obvious dangers associated with not wearing one). His response is that’s he’s a competent cyclist, he’ll be fine etc. Of course I do not want him to have an accident, but I don’t know how to make him realise it’s important to wear one!

I completely get it’s his choice and there’s no legal requirement to wear one but AIBU here?

Thanks

Their infrastructure for cyclists is far superior to here though. You can't compare a wide flat road to the hilly, winding lanes where I live.

It's not just the infrastructure though. As almost all Dutch cycle, they're just better drivers when it comes to sharing roads with cyclists.

Winding narrow roads are simply not an issue though, if you know how to drive properly in the first place. I manage quite well as a cyclist and driver.

I guarantee if every driver in the UK was forced to ride a bike for a few months, we'd have much more tolerance between road users.

As almost all Dutch cycle, they're just better drivers when it comes to sharing roads with cyclists.

Becasue the roads are wider and there are more cyclists in the Netherlands, and maybe they are better and more considerate drivers and more used to seeing cyclists on the road.

In the UK you just have to (unfortunately) assume that all motorised vehicles are arseholes (I know they aren't) and cycle accordingly.

I guarantee if every driver in the UK was forced to ride a bike for a few months, we'd have much more tolerance between road users.

I agree (as a cyclist and car driver)

All those that think wearing a helmet is embarrassing or somehow uncool, remember they are probably an overweight middle aged man wearing lycra so the helmet isn't going to be the make or break decider in the cool/uncool argument.
Also, nobody is really noticing you that much - it's hardly like everyone you pass is going to point and laugh at you for wearing one.

And as for cool - how cool do they think they are going to look spending the rest of their life drinking out a sippy cup and waiting for a carer to come and change their nappy? Because sadly that's the reality of a head injury, one that could be reduced or avoided by wearing a helmet. If you've ever spent any time in a hospital neuroscience ward you'll see how life changing brain injuries can be - even in the lucky ones that 'get better'.