A while back, Alec got a minor heatstroke during our Sunday bike ride. His helmet was a HKD$250 regular kid sized “Star War” printed helmet more for the novelty than the sport. Although it does provide the same crash protection as any other proper bike helmets, it has none but just two elongated non-aerodynamic openings for ventilation. For several times that day before his minor heatstroke he mentioned he wanted to take his helmet off for it got too hot for him but I insisted he left it on. He ended up having to stop midway thru the ride and we pour cold water over his head to cool down and then he felt better after that enough to head back with my cousin-in-law first which my cousins and I continued on.
A few days later, I bought him a proper HKD$320 racing helmet with about 80% of the helmet full of aerodynamic vents. He never did get a chance to wear it yet but I am sure it could have prevented that heatstroke if he had it on instead since he did drank more water than I did but mine is a well vented helmet and I felt fine all morning.
He could also have not worn a helmet at all but then again, that accident, which we later have discovered it dented his helmet, could have brought him very serious head injuries.
I don’t like wearing bike helmet myself, especially when we only ride on bike trails at very slow speed. However, I have to set an example for Alec. If I didn’t wear mine, it would be very difficult to insist him wearing one. Which is necessary? That’s rather relative.
WhaUSay?!