Every day while traveling to my workplace I see people riding motorcycles without wearing a helmet. And every day I wonder what makes them skip the one essential safety element that can save their head from breaking in case of an accident.

So, one day, I sat and thought deep about it. I also asked a few friends what they think. Friends who wear, even have an extra for the pillion rider, do not wear, and do not even own one. And this is what I found.

17 Reasons Why People Don’t Wear Helmets

It screws up their hairstyle

It’s uncomfortable and borderline suffocates them

“The stock unit that I got with my Honda Unicorn would anyway not save my head so why should I bother”

It’s an unneeded expense and petrol prices are only rising

“I don’t like to hold it in my hand when I am not riding”

“I couldn’t find a large one”

Good quality helmets are expensive

“I know how to talk to the traffic police”

“I only ride short distances”

“I would pay the 500-rupee fine once than buy a helmet worth 5ooo rupees”

“My helmet was stolen twice”

“I ride safely and am confident that I will not meet with an accident”

It’s heavy

It stinks

“I started losing hair because of it”

“I have never been stopped by the traffic police”

They don’t like to follow rules

There are even dumber reasons that people give when asked about their habit of not wearing a helmet. It just baffles me that people are ready to put their lives in danger because a helmet will distort their hairstyle (#1 reason) and they always want to look presentable.

I have tried describing to them the problems associated with helmet-less riding, and so far, I have changed the mind of not a single person. Which is why people don’t come to me when they want to convince someone.

One day I will write about why people don’t wear seat belts but for now read what I have observed in today’s taxi-cabs.

What are your thoughts on helmet-less riding or unsafe riding/driving in general? What dumb/weird reasons have you come across? Let me know in the comments below. Check the conversation at Reddit. TN.