Headcase

The other day I was relaxing at a cafe when I found myself eavesdropping.

Headcase

Why did he feel the need to speak to the bicyclist and why did he assume the cyclist was somehow ignorant? Would this guy similarly attack other people doing things that he viewed as poor judgement? Or is it just bicyclists?

Headcase

I’m sick of the helmet hype. It’s time to hype up infrastructure until “cycle track” is in everyone’s vocabulary. I dream of the day this guy will ask the city what’s up with the street design that makes cyclists feel like they need to wear helmets.

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93 comments

  • I’d certainly have some choice words with that guy if he gave me that kind of paternalistic carcentric guff. Today I was cycling to Jean-Talon Market and a woman older than me (I’m your mother’s age, bikeyface) walked up to me as I was locking my bicycle and asked me “aren’t you afraid to bike in the city”? I’ve been cycling every day without several cm of snow or lakes of ice here for over 40 years… She was also oddly dressed…

    I’m sure I’d have asked that fellow why his sweatshirt was tucked into his jeans…

  • Sarah Berkner May 7, 2015  

    I wouldn’t mind someone telling me to wear a helmet, say, if I’m biking on a busy street, since they’re just concerned for my safety, but this wouldn’t be a good time to bring it up (he could have taken his helmet off outside for one thing).

  • Zoia September 6, 2015  

    I’m pro helmet-choice, but personally, I’ve seen a couple of people close to me injured very badly in bicycle accidents, and I choose to wear a helmet because of that. Even when I’m just going out to get ice cream.

  • Brian Kowalski June 5, 2017  

    Last time I got the helmet lecture, it was from someone in the midst of puffing away on a cancer stick. I got quite the eye roll when I pointed out the obvious…

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