AITA for not wearing a helmet to work?

A 24-year-old woman who bikes to work at a pediatric psych clinic has been confronted by a client’s parent about not wearing a helmet, which the parent claims sets a bad example for the children.

The woman feels it’s a personal choice and not the parent’s business, especially since she works with kids who can differentiate between adult choices and children’s rules. While she didn’t argue with the parent, she questions whether she’s being unreasonable or if the parent is overstepping. Read the original story below…

‘ AITA for not wearing a helmet to work?’

Throw away to avoid doxxing myself. I (24F) work at a pediatric psych clinic, and I bike to work every day. I live in the same neighborhood, so it takes less time than driving and helps me get in a bit of exercise. It’s my usual commute, and I enjoy it, but I don’t wear a helmet or other safety gear.

Recently, one of the client’s parents (40ish F) confronted me in the parking lot about it, saying that since I’m around kids all day and they can see me biking, I’m setting a bad example. She said I should wear a helmet because the kids “look up to \[me\],” and I should model better behavior.

Now, I understand where she’s coming from, but I also feel like what I do outside of work isn’t exactly their business, and it’s additionally weird since I’m not *her* kid’s therapist. Plus, I feel like it’s a personal choice—I’m an adult, and I get to make that call for myself. Some of the kids that go to the clinic are developmentally delayed.

Still, I tend to work with kids with hyperlexia and hypernumeracy – I know my clients can understand the difference between kids’ rules and adult privileges. I didn’t get into an argument with the parent, but now I’m wondering if I’m being unreasonable or if they’re overstepping.

My supervisor refuses to take a side either way but did tell the parent that if she swears at me again, she will not be welcome in our clinic. AITA for not wearing a helmet even though the kids can see me?

Heres the input from the Reddit crowd:

Zenmeister321boom −  This is where we unearth the old ‘Freedom of choice, doesn’t mean freedom from consequences.’ *Wearing a helmet isn’t an adult privilege.* Official figures say wearing one reduces traumatic brain injuries by 53% and the chance of being killed or seriously injured by 34%.

You may have 100% confidence in your ability to ride a bike on roads, but you cannot account for other people’s driving/riding/levels of tiredness/temperaments/dangerous choices. YTA. . Edit: Typo

StAlvis −  YTA. I feel like it’s a personal choice—I’m an adult, and I get to make that call for myself. Absolutely! You’re just making the **objectively _incorrect_** one. Signed, the guy whose thigh is still torn open from the car that hit him on his bike 6 weeks ago, but whose helmet allowed him to avoid much more devastating injury. This is like taking a stand against f**king seatbelts.

retiredrn2014 −  Your body, your choice. However, I’m a retired ER RN and when I see any cyclist without a helmet, my immediate thought is that I hope they’re an organ donor. Accidents can happen in an instant even if you are personally very careful.

For your family’s sake, if you want to keep riding without protection, let them know your wishes if something were to happen. You know, things like your wishes about life support and organ donation. It’s heartbreaking watching a parent make those decisions.

CanAhJustSay −  Soft YTA. What you do outside of work is your business, however this behaviour takes you in and from work where vulnerable young people are under your care. Setting an example of basic health and safety is a reasonable expectation even if it isn’t the law where you are.

Your supervisor is supportive and has your back, which is a bonus. But wearing a helmet when there are idiots on the roads is actually a pretty good idea full stop. My friend has kept their cycle helmet which is split in two where a car turned across them without looking and their head cracked off the kerb. The helmet made the difference between a concussion and a vegetative state.

Doubledogdad23 −  YTA, grow up and wear a f**king helmet.

Cute_Beat7013 −  NTA but also I hope you’ve signed your organ donor card because brain d**th in otherwise healthy people makes them excellent candidates for transplants. It’s illegal to cycle without a helmet where I live.

GSD_enthusiast −  YTA . Wear a f*cking helmet.  It might just save your life. Do you also refuse to wear a seat belt in the car? 

T_G_A_H −  It’s certainly your privilege to prioritize feeling the wind in your hair over protecting your brain from careless drivers and unforeseen obstacles, but it’s a stupid choice. So I’d say YTA to yourself. Not so much toward the kids–hopefully if any of them asked you, you would encourage them to wear a helmet.

IanMDoomed −  Only a fool doesn’t wear a brain bucket

Is it fair for the parent to pressure her about her safety choices, or should she be free to decide what she wears? What do you think? Share your thoughts below!