Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
What makes you think a helmet that has suffered "damage" from being carried on the handlebars any less effective than a pristine version of same?
Quite simply, if helmets are so easily made ineffective at noggin protection and must be handled as if it were fragile glassware, the helmet probably has very little value for someone looking for serious head protection in real world use, especially if such critical "damage" is invisible to the user.
Your right, rattling around doesn't quickly render a helmet ineffective. But that really wasn't the point.
Again, if you see the value in a helmet to protect your skull, you take care of it and keep it on your head. If you don't see it as valuable, than leave it at home or simply don't buy one.