Enci,

I am familiar with that site, as well as others. Thanks for putting it up for others to find. I need to start bookmarking these studies so I can link to them appropriately. I have no problem with people wearing a helmet. I have no problem with anyone for wearing a helmet that helps them feel safe or if it is necessary for them to ride.

BikinginLA,

Thank you for not telling others whether to wear a helmet or not. I agree with that 100%. Adults do need to make their own decisions. My problem is promoting helmet use/telling others to wear helmets. I even limit how much I fight the promotion of helmets because I do not want someone to think I am saying “Don’t wear a helmet.”

Bobby,

I think that people can wear what they want to ride. Check out LACycleChic.blogspot.com to see just some of the things people wear to ride a bike. Wearing a skirt is no more dangerous than spandex, so it should not be an issue of safety. I do agree that to someone who only knows about the sport of cycling vs. the utilitarian cycling it might seem odd. However, a reporter should think before asking a typed question to get the most important and relevant information.

Everyone,

Let’s go for a bike ride, anytime.

Strangely enough for me, I was injured because of the poor cement condition of the Ballona Bike Path. I reported it after my recover and even took photos; nothing was ever done. Again, put politicians on bikes.

PS, when engaging in any discussion it reflects poorly on the writer when they call people names without even knowing them. Stick to the facts and don’t contribute.

like enci, i wear dresses and suits and high heels when i ride my bike and kick my scooter. i’m what i call a utility cyclist; i’m not always riding to get to my destination quickly, just so that i get to my destination without having to find vehicle parking. and i wear a helmet proudly brands me as a cyclist.

But I can tell you that I am alive today because I had my helmet on when I took a bad spill on the bike path in Santa Monica a few years back.

In presenting yourself as a dedicated cyclist you submitted a photo in which you are 1) helmetless, 2)wearing a skirt that looks like it’s just short enough to not get caught in your skirt-guardless rear wheel 3) you’re wearing high heels. Even if your leg warmers had air bags, I doubt they would be much help in an accident. These factors are definitely enough to raise someone’s curiosity.

Good thing you’re not into motorcycles because if you rode dressed like people wouldn’t think, they’d know you were an idiot.

A couple months ago I had my helmet stolen and I rode for three days without a helmet. I rode less risky and much more aware, than I ride when I wear a helmet.

But I like to wear my helmet because it makes me feel safe and because Stephen has been hit twice and if it wasn’t for his helmet, I think his head would have split open because he hit his head both times.