(Photo © Angelo Calilap 2010)

This time, last year, I was in an accident during a ride to the Bronx that caused me to go head first into a concrete pillar, without a helmet.  Months later, I smashed head first into 6th Avenue after a collision with a yellow cab, causing my helmet to crack (bet your ass I was wearing one after that first incident!).

The point of the story is — if I never got into that first accident, I would probably still be riding a bicycle sans helmet.  More importantly, if I hadn’t learned my lesson and not worn a helmet during my taxi cab collision - it would have been my skull that was cracked, instead of my Giro.

Helmets are like religion.  Telling someone to wear one is like preaching to a person about a God he or she doesn’t believe in.  Some will listen, but most will brush off what you’re saying.  Many times, all it takes is a personal experience until you actually believe in it.  I’ve learned from my experiences that looking like a mushroom-headed space cadet storm trooper is better than having my brains splattered on the ground. Just sayin’…

[ End PSA ]

Ride fast, ride safe.

-A.