A Bicyclists' Dilemma

As I'm sitting here watching the 97th Tour de France, it's hard not to think about all things cycling. Ask anyone I know, and they'll tell you that I will mention something about my bicycle or bicycling in general at least once every 90 minutes. Make no mistake, I am not going to be quitting my job to join the peloton anytime soon, as I a consider m'self more of a bicyclist than a cyclist. What's the difference you ask? Here's my arbitrary division, sure to anger cyclists and bicyclists alike.

Cyclists:

(Courtesy of Marion Webster)

• Avoid urban cycling, as stop signs and lights do not usually allow them to maintain their optimal cadence
  
• Tend to rock head to toe spandex in an effort to reduce wind resistance, and, it must be said, ride really awesome looking, light, expensive bicycles.
  
• Are not particularly interested in rides less than 15 miles, nor do they have any interest stopping at Dunkin' Donuts at the halfway point of the ride. (BOO!)
  
• Wear Carbon Fiber, heat molded helmets that match their 'kit'.

Bicyclists, on the other hand:

(Courtesy of BikeHugger.com)

• Usually embrace urban cycling, as running lights and stop signs are strangely empowering.
  
• Tend to rock whatever clothes they wish to wear when they arrive at the destination they are bicycling to.
• Talk about 15 mile rides as being 'epic'.
• May or may not wear a helmet.

It is this last point, of choosing NOT to wear a helmet, that is the lighting rod for controversy, amongst cyclists and bicyclists alike. Why, just yesterday my bicyclist better half sent me this article: Do Bike Helmets Save Lives? Or Do they Hurt Cycling?. Seems to me that the argument FOR wearing a helmet goes like this:

• Bicycling is dangerous, so when you get hit by a car, you are 70% more likely to suffer head trauma without a helmet.
• When you fall on your head, you are going to thank your lucky stars that you were wearing a helmet.

While the argument AGAINST wearing a helmet goes like this:

• Wearing a helmet sends the message that bicycling is dangerous, which scares away potential riders. Besides, bicycling is much, much safer than driving a car.
  
• If you ride without a helmet, you'll take less risks and ride safer, and cars will tend to give you more slack as well. (HA!)
  
• Helmets mess up your hair.
  

I will go on record in saying that I do not always wear a helmet when I tool around town. Why? Because I feel much safer on a bicycle than I ever do in a car, even in one of those Swedish models with the side impact airbags and such. It just doesn't occur to me that riding my bicycle is even the slightest bit dangerous.

Of course, this is probably because I have never been thrown clear of my bicycle by a car, or a pothole, or a mechanical failure. In short: I have no doubt that wearing a helmet is the right thing to do, and I intend to wear one more often. I still don't approve of the message wearing one sends, however.