It's a strange one. I started riding BMX after a 20 year hiatus. Riding the BMX track, I wasn't worried about protection, even though everyone else was all covered up head to toe in full face and knee and elbow guards. When I go to the skatepark though, then I wear helmet, gloves, chicken wings and Kyle straits – all the time. Apart from a couple of guys and little kids who are made to wear a lid by their mum, I'm the only one with all that gear on. I had about 4 real crashes last summer, and came down hard on my knees and elbows. Concrete scares me.
But I was just out the other day on the bmx track with my mountain bike trying to clear doubles. No protection. Same for hacking through the woods. Not on road either.
If I think about it, it doesn't make much sense. But I guess it's about what scares you. I still can't understand all those kids in the skatepark getting big airs and crazy tricks in jeans and t-shirt. But I never wear a gear on my mountain bike. Should I 'spose. I feel silly wearing a helmet on the road too.
