I love biking, especially in this season. Wind through your hair, navigating the traffic flux, and kicking the hell out of those pedals. Your carbon footprint takes a serious hit, too.
However, there’s one aspect that is tough to live with: the look. I’m not a fashionista by anyone’s description, but there’s no denying that the whole biking kit makes you look, well, retarded.
Especially the helmet. In Cryptonomicon Neal Stephenson describes (amongst many,many other things) the ARG: military issue glasses, also known as Anti-Rape Glasses. Glasses that are sure to repell any female interest. Well, biking means wearing the ARH (Anti-Rape Helmet). I defy Angelina Jolie to get a second look when wearing the ARH (wearing normal clothes. wearing full-body spandex would be cheating).
Well, there’s no other option. Biking in Brussels has its hasards. Having a specialist in neurological damage for a dad makes you very aware of the consequences of trauma to the head (mantra: better to look braindamaged than to be). So I wear the ARH. And the fluo jacket. And my bike impersonates a christmas tree, all year round.
(and today i impersonated a wet dog, but that’s another story. who bust a pipe up there ?)
Well now this little account sure brightened my very crappy Wednesday morning! I think I want to see pictures now!
no way
Unfortunately, no helmet is compatible with a fine hat. And since a gentleman (who, me? I do a good impersonation!) doesn’t go anywhere without his hat, I will have to continue to risk brain damage. Daily.
Life is tough.
you bike in Leuven. I think it’s less dangerous there.
No one in the Netherlands wears helmets… and yet everybody is biking around in cities.
Sometimes talking on their mobile phones with one kid in front and one the back side of the bike!
Oh and they drive these fabulous traditional bikes like these http://www.omafietsonline.nl/N_frame.html?http://www.omafietsonline.nl/Opafiets-Bsp–N_art_17.html
This one is mine now: http://www.bsp-fietsen.nl/index.php?pageID=3&item=19
No pictures? I’m disappointed!
A helmet is not compatible with my forgetfulness either. Considering I forget my bike half the time, I think there’s a fair chance I’ll forget a helmet even more.
@pascal: yes, but well, would you compare biking around there with biking around in Brussels ?
Then again, each to his own brain
Ha! I liked to read Cryptonomicon
As a biker i understand the difficult choices. A fluo vest, which is ugly as hell, but it makes you more visible. So i have fluo all over my bike, and good lights!
I looked at skate-helmets once, because they seemed to be cooler (matte black!) but not really.
But the helmet … at least i have one
Fortunately i now only commute around rural area of antwerp, which is not too hazardous. But that is no excuse actually.