Published January 9, 2009 01:23PM
We’ve heard over and over since childhood that brain buckets could save our lives, but apparently most Americans aren’t listening: 58 percent of Americans admit to never wearing a helmet while riding a bike. More sobering is the accompanying statistic that 92 percent of cyclists killed in 2007 weren’t wearing a helmet.
The Consumer Reports survey also found that a quarter of Americans skip sunscreen, despite plenty of warnings about the million or so skin cancer cases that pop up every year. I guess we Americans just love two-wheeled, sun-borne danger.
Taking a quick look around the office, it seems that most BACKPACKER bike commuters wear cranium cradles, which I guess is good for the braintrust of our company’s future. In fact, most Boulderites seem to sport hard hats in varying styles and colors. (I avoid the problem entirely by zorbing to work.)
Do you wear a helmet when you ride your bike? Tell us why or why not in the comments section below.
—Ted Alvarez
More than half of U.S. cyclists forgo helmets: report (Reuters) Via The Goat