Head Injury

I don't care whether people wear helmets or not. Their choice. But arguments for not wearing a helmet that go beyond, "Because I don't want to," are silly. Helmets are less safe because we ride more recklessly when we wear them? I love that one. Seats belts, too, I guess. Health insurance is actually bad for our health because it makes us behave in a less healthy way. It's safer to run with scissors pointing up because then we'll be more careful and less likely to fall.

I heard of someone recently who was hit by a car and sent to the hospital with serious injuries. When asked if he was wearing a helmet, and whether he suffered head injuries, his answers were no and yes. His swollen brain required surgery. And then he said, more or less, that he doesn't believe in helmets.

Perhaps he thinks the injury would have been worse if he had been wearing a helmet. Who knows? I must say, it seems unlikely. Oh well. We believe what we want to believe. I think I'll keep wearing my helmet.

Snow Tires Off!

By mid-March, it's safe to assume that snow and ice is done for the season, or at least done enough to warrant taking the studded tires off the main commuter.

In actuality, I don't really need studs on the main commuter. When it's really snow and icy, I just ride the slush mobile, with its aggressive studs and knobby tires. Slower, sure, but more stable and better suited to slop. I thought I'd be able to ride the main commuter on icy but snow-free days, but they didn't really exist. There was always snow on the sidewalk and side streets. I only rode it once all winter.

I won't bother changing tires next winter. I always leave the studded tires on the slush mobile, so whenever it snows, I'll just switch bikes.

Brooklyn Bridge

I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge today, as I like to do when I visit my sister- and brother-in-law in Brooklyn. Today was one of the first warm-ish, sunny days this winter, and the bridge at noon was absolutely packed with tourists, most of them not speaking English.

Needless to say, they weren't observing the pedestrian vs. bicycle lane designations. The were aimlessly walking six abreast, weaving and staggering in and out of the bike lane as they took in the NY skyline, looked up at the bridge, and took selfies.

One biker, while weaving around them, was pointing down at the lane divider with exaggerated movements whenever he passed a transgressor, saying with his gesture, "Stay in your lane!"

But why was he bothering? That undulating mass of people was composed of 99% tourists. This was their first and last day on the Brooklyn Bridge. This bike rider had already passed them. What did he care if they moved into the correct lane? They'd be gone tomorrow, and another batch of ditzy tourists would take their place. No amount of preaching to today's tourists would change tomorrow's tourists' behavior.

I am completely capable of being that self-righteous biker, but I'm glad I wasn't. Just slow down, try not to knock anyone into the East River, take a little longer to get over the bridge, and enjoy the sun.