Is there a bike helmet in the world that doesn't make me look like I need 24/7 guardian assistance? Surely there must be a nicer design out there somewhere?

I feel you! There are BMX helmets and also some vintage look inspired by Mod / Vespa / scooter hard hats, I got myself one to look rather quaint than like a Tour de France fanboy 🚴

@fraktalisman people posing for the pictures of these helmets all have that face on them that says "I know, I look like a tit, I'm just trying to do my job, ok?"
I just want one that makes me look a bit more human (but still as safe)

@ojt-rant I've got a Kali Saha (which is out of stock, but there are probably similar looking ones) https://kaliprotectives.com/product...

or use a skating helmet. All of those cool / nostalgic ones have the disadvantage that there is less wind to cool your head on a sunny day, but I am quite satisfied with mine.

Who cares what it looks like

@electrineer https://egaoong.top/ProductDetail.a...

I have a multi impact skateboard helmet.

Red, just looks like a helmet. Has a skull on it and is comfortable.

I have a nice triple eight skate helmet and use that for skating. Way to hot for a good trip on the road racer, have an outfit matching helmet for that and don't care whether that looks ridiculous. Function over form. Are you just commuting or serious biking?

Here in the Netherlands we have the highest bike/person ratio yet no helmets on city, transport, touring or electric bikes bikes that stay under 45km/h. It's like wearing a helmet while walking...

@hjk101 one can make the agrument that bike helmets are actually more useful when driving around casually, as they are too flimsy to protect in more serious crashes. But there's a lack of valid scientific study.

This was a good read about the subject: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/do...
I particularly like this part: "If you personally had the choice of hitting your head on the pavement with or without the protection of a helmet, which would you choose?" It's possible to end up hitting your head on the pavement whether you drive fast or slow, after all. Sometimes it's the harmless situations that end up with the worst outcome.

For me personally, I used to not wear a helmet when driving around slowly. These days I wear one even then because I find it comfortable and I don't see a reason not to wear one.

@electrineer I guess that is due to how we where brought up here. For me riding a bike is like walking. Let's put it this way: When you trip while walking do you want to hit the pavement with our without a helmet. And let's not get started on showers/baths, those things are slippery skull clubbers. Yet no helmet indoor or walking. Facemasks are all the protection we go for with these activities.

When on a racer there are a few situations you just can't react fast enough due to high speed. Especially in a group. That is the only reason I wear a helmet. Haven't seen any evidence that a helmet helps here in day to day commute safety perhaps also because the infra structure is made for cyclists.
I've seen and heard of small kids with serious accidents though.

I don't need a helmet for that.

@ojt-rant
Lulz.

Me from the Netherlands:
You guys wear helmets?

@Tonnoman0909 If you go downhill with 50 km/h or more, a helmet is wise.

@happygimp0 yeah, good thing we don't have hills 😝

How about a cycling airbag / inflating helmet?

@Tonnoman0909 take a train to a German city and try to fiets with missing bike lanes and aggressive German car drivers. First bike shop you'll stop and buy your first helmet

@fraktalisman I know, I luckily never had to go by bike there