People get touchy when they feel like they are being told how to parent. Especially when they know, in their heart of hearts, that they are in the wrong. OTOH, it's not like you were telling her kid to stand up straight, chew with his mouth shut, or anything like that. You were telling her to make sure her kid rode safely. It's a tough call, but I think concern for the kid's safety trumps other concerns here.

BTW, in some states, kids are required by law to wear helmets on the bike. It probably would have been an easier conversation with your friend if that were the case here (though I doubt it is the law in Texas).

Completely agree with your actions. Not only are you protecting your kid, I could somehow see this getting turned back around where if the kid was leaving your training session and wrecked and injured himself- well, we live in a world where people have sued for less...

I won't rant too bad about bike safety but to say that it was grossly irresponsible on that parents part to allow her kid to ride without a helmet. I can understand your husband's point, but I think you did the right thing.

Well I tell other people what to do all the time. Sometimes it doesn't go over very well, but I don't really care. Last thing I want to do is see a kid get a bad concussion or worse! Kids aren't really equipped to "think" for themselves, because they aren't really able to fully understand the consequences. That is where the parents need to come in, it is strange that a parent would let their child ride without a helmet. If you are really worried about "overstepping your place," maybe just the kid directly why it is important to wear a helmet. I definitely don't think you should stay out of it, friend or not.

http://trifuel.com/forum/25354/bike-crashthanks-bell

better to be called a b**ch than call an ambulance.

In certain more benign events, of course you should stay out of it. But it this case, I would rather be you and deal with the uncomfortable feeling. Imagine how you would feel if you kept quiet, and something happened.

A guy I work with told me once that a study was done that demonstrated that sometimes helmets cause injuries. It had to do with not wearing it correctly, or catching you helment on something in the woods, stuff like that. But there will be a time with that bit of foam could save your life. Why take the gamble.

I stand firmly by your side. Come to my neighborhood anytime.

I had a bike crash this last September when I hit a pot hole one-handed went over the handlebars and landed on my head. The helmet I was wearing probable saved me from being in a coma and I wasn't even going that fast. The pictures I have that my wife took of me laying unconcious in the hospital strapped to a back board should be enough to convince anyone that they NEED to wear a helmet. Even with a helmet a suffered a concussion, broke my nose, and spent 26 hrs in the hospital. Parents and kids should not play Russian Rollette with their life if they are going to ride. Thanks for having the courage to butt in.

If she knew it was wrong and didn't want to get into it with her son, then she isn't parenting. You absolutely did the right thing and the woman you called out knows it. Good for you Sharon.

I'd say, "MYOB," but most Texas cities have helmet laws for minors, so you were just calling them out for being dirty delinquents.

There's also a bit of a gender issue as well. Mom to mom comments may turn verbally ugly but hat's about it. Telling another guy that he's a bad father can get much messier. I understand your husband's perspective, and yours.

There's also a bit of a gender issue as well. Mom to mom comments may turn verbally ugly but hat's about it. Telling another guy that he's a bad father can get much messier. I understand your husband's perspective, and yours.

You did the right thing. Absolutely.

Totally did the right thing. You gotta pick your hills to die on, but that's one that I'd say to someone as well (and have, even though here it's the law some folks still don't do it). My son's helmet saved him from a very bad head injury and possible coma/death, and helmets are non-negotiable for me.

Yes, your business! You only have to work with one person with a traumatic brain injury and you will never forget how much that impacts the person, their family, friends and community around them. Taking appropriate precautions is part of the deal for just about everything. If the boy were to get injured it would devastate the family, and would ripple back to the community. I didn't WANT to wear a helmet as a kid but I HAD to and now I know why and am thankful that I was required by my parents. Their is a line where people should be allowed to parent how they see fit, but this flirts awfully hard with careless neglect. I support you 100%.

My 4 year old nephew used to delight in yelling "helmet" out the car window when we would pass a cyclist, of any age, without a helmet on because he knew that he had to wear a helmet when he was on his bike. It's a simple concept.

My philosophy is every human being is my business, but and this is a big but, while it's realitively easy with your 'coach' authourity, to put your foot down, I dispair where I am, when I see 3 year olds on the back of motor bikes being dropped to school in the morning. It's very frequent and the bikes are very very big....were are talking 1000cc.. that's how parenting happens here, and I am not going to pull over and give any biker a lesson in looking after his kid. Darwin was right you know, but it's evolution of the smartest, that's why they are fittest.

There are different ways to tell the person and some may work better than others. However, the important part is that you got the message across. I wear a helmet every time I am on a bike and I expect my kids to wear theirs and they never have an excuse not to.

At least your conscience is clear.
Doing the right thing doesn't mean it is doing the easiest thing ;-)

I've been wanting to tell you my opinion on this but I've decided it's not my business. :)