Most youngsters including college students who are very much influenced to travel on two-wheelers, prefer riding high speed vehicles and fancy bikes without wearing helmets and not keeping in mind, the road traffic injuries, and many a time, accidental deaths.
Not bothered about safety measures, Somashekar Hiremath, 25-year-old, project leader at HP avers, “I am dead against the use of helmets as they do not give a smart and swanky look, especially when riding on the sports bike.”
Despite the cost, comfort and style concerns, young people in the city hardly give importance to safety measures. One of the biggest disadvantages of wearing a helmet is lack of comfort, bad appearance and its heavy weight, opine youngsters.
"No matter how safe and cool the helmet is, donning this thick, clumsy foam material, is simply not comfortable as compared to a cap," said Raju, 18-year old, college student, who resides in Bannerghatta.
On the other hand, Chiranjeevi, a 22-year-old M Sc student, residing at Chamrajapet says, "Wearing it provides us a high level of protection from head injuries and therefore, I make it a point to wear them." He further adds, “I do not wear a helmet while riding my bike to nearby short distances. But when I travel every day to Bangalore University, I always wear an ISI standard helmet in order to ensure a smooth and safe ride and not to be caught by the traffic policeman.”