Why you need a helmet: The more that riders get hurt and look reckless, the more 5-0 cracks down. Other riders will shun you before then.
Why you need a good helmet: So you don’t get hurt.
What makes a helmet good vs bad: Bad build quality can make any helmet bad, but there are a few things that will make even a good quality helmet bad for skating. Buying a soft padded helmet is the most common mistake that beginners make, a park helmet will compress the padding meant to cushion the blow of falling too easily for faster than skatepark speeds. To conceptualize this imagine you jumped off your roof onto a mattress, now imagine your mattress was as soft as a bed pillow; you would use up most of the cushioning effect immediately. Look for a helmet with esp foam as that is the harder foam generally used. If you are on a budget, most bike helmets utilize this but can be a little uncomfortable.
