In praise of helmets and mirrors and lights and bells.

I'm a bit of a safety nut when it comes to most activities involving wheeled activities.

But for me, there's nothing cool about not wearing a helmet. If you're engaging in an activity where helmets are encouraged, then the fact that you're engaging in that activity in itself is pretty cool.

I mean, it's hard to imagine someone walking up to Michael Schumacher, and saying "What's the matter loser, can't drive that little red car without wearing a big dorky helmet?" Or saying something similar to Travis Pastrana, etc., etc.

So I'm all for safety gear when I ride my bike, which includes:

A helmet. Yes, they look completely imbecilic. This has not been helped by providing people with head injuries or severe mental deficiencies BICYCLE HELMETS to protect them. But they're cheap, they weigh almost nothing, and they're a lot better than even the shortest trip to the hospital. Potential downside? Cars may not be as careful of you as if you skip the helmet. Weird. Also, they provide a great place to put...

A mirror. Dear god, I know these are the dorkiest things in the world. I mean, if a bike helmet is a solid 7 out of 10 on the dork scale, a side view mirror kicks it up well past 11. But they WORK! Man, now instead of twisting my head at odd angles to see way back across 2 lanes of traffic to see if there's a car approaching, I can look in the mirror, check the street a good ways back, and then make my left turn or decide to go ahead and do the two step left turn.

A bell. Mine's pink with little white hearts on it. Seriously. I know, it sounds like something an 8yr old girl would have on her bike, but frankly that's the way I want it. That way, when I ring it at a driver, I want the first thought in their head to be "My god! 8yr old girl! Must clear the right of way and give her PLENTY of space!" Plus, pink is hilarious.

Headlights, taillights, and all the other blinking lights you can find. This is perhaps the only somewhat cool aspect of the safety gear a biker needs. The standard headlight and taillight aren't that exciting, but the more lights you add, the more visible you'll be, and everybody likes flashing lights (unless you've been pulled over).

There's one item you're actually much safer travelling without. Headphones. I can't tell you how many cyclists I see in L.A. with no helmets on, but with their ipod earbuds firmly in place. Really? Riding in traffic, in which you need all of your senses at their best, and you're willfully taking one of the most important out of the equation? Gah!

Ride safely people. And DO RIDE, it's so worth it.