To ask DH to wear a helmet when cycling

[pigeon166]

My DH often cycles on lime bikes or similar (electric bicycles you can hire by the minute and leave anywhere within range when you arrive at your destination). I have repeatedly asked him to take a helmet when he does so but every time I ask he kicks up a fuss and doesn’t want to. I have to literally beg him to wear a helmet and I’m only successful about half the time. He has his own helmet so I don’t get what the issue is with taking it. Just that it’s a bit annoying to have with you when you reach your destination is all I can think of? His argument is that he’s only going a short distance but I don’t see how that makes it any less likely that he’ll suffer a traumatic brain injury if he’s knocked off his bike. We’ve just had a baby so I don’t fancy raising him alone!! AIBU?

Cycle helmet saved my husband when he was hit by car. No excuse not to wear them.

I don’t see that the distance makes any difference either. Many accidents happen within half a mile of home. It’s familiar, so people don’t concentrate as hard. He’s wrong to put himself more at risk.

You can ask, but you can’t tell him to. He’s an adult, he knows the risks, he makes his choice.

YANBU! No excuse for not wearing. A helmet will save a life. Even my 7yo DS knows he ain't going anywhere without a helmet on

My dh has been knocked off a bike twice and at least once the helmet saved his brain from serious injury so Yanbu.

that said. We went to Holland where Everyone is on bikes and NOBODY is wearing a helmet. They’re mostly not in the roads though. Assuming your dh is cycling in the roads he should wear one, if along a bike only path I’m not convinced it’s necessary

“When you got married you made a commitment to build a life with me and when I became pregnant you took on the commitment of being a father to our child. You cannot take needless risks now you are a father and husband.
you have a responsibility to keep safe for your family if not yourself. To not wear a helmet is selfish to me and to our baby. Now please put the fucking helmet on”

YANBU I actually find it weird that helmets aren’t a requirement to ride those bikes but I guess no one helmet fits all.

A year ago we were on a family holiday at Center Parcs and a toddler swerved in front of DH. He was moving fairly slowly really but had to brake very suddenly and as he was going downhill, gravity played a part in the outcome. He went over the handlebars and face/head first into a post. The helmet was very badly dented.

His cheekbone was broken in three places and depressed. He had a broken jaw and teeth. He was unresponsive and seriously unwell with a concussion which took months to resolve. He had surgery to rearrange his face.

The helmet saved his life.

I repeat. We were on a family holiday. Our children were with us. It could have had a very different outcome. They could have watched a very different story.

Helmets are not optional in this house.

My adult DS was cavalier about it too until he had a, thankfully, minor collision which knocked him off but he stayed upright. Scared the life out of him though, and now he wears a helmet every time. No amount of telling got through to him until then.

Short distance is irrelevant. DH fell off his bike on a short trip to our post office (wasn't even on the road) and broke his elbow. He'd turned a bit too sharply.

Your DH has some responsibility to keep himself safe for you as well.

My DS had a nasty bike accident 300m from home. His helmet was flattened at the front, and was cracked right through all the way to the back as it deformed just as it was supposed to. He was concussed for a week, but walked out of hospital that day. He wouldn't have without the (very good, new) helmet on.

Oh my goodness, how scary. I hope he is doing ok now in his recovery and thank you for sharing.