<p>I’ve seen bikes hit people or end up crashing because someone walking isnt paying attention and the biker ends up seriously hurt. I’ve also see bikes hit bikes as well. I haven’t really seen a car hit a bike yet. </p>
<p>Also there are some crazy kids out their with hipster bikes with no breaks. I also know a lot of people who don’t stop at all stop signs or red lights because they dont want to slow down.</p>
<p>I’d wear a helmet. I’m beyond the ‘looking cool’ mentality. I really don’t care if no one else wears a helmet - I don’t want to die/get brain damage. I would leave my helmet hanging on the bike unless it’s raining. Or you could hang it on your backpack if you are paranoid. I highly doubt someone would take the time to steal the helmet and not the bike. That’s just kinda strange. But I guess you never know.</p>
<p>Pandem…my post was in response to, “If you know how to ride a bike, you don’t need a helmet.”</p>
<p>Which is the most ignorant thing I’ve ever heard anyone say. I’m pretty sure every Tour de France rider wears a helmet. </p>
<p>Weird, huh? Guess they “don’t know how to ride a bike”! </p>
<p>Many kids in college have fancier bikes than they did in childhood and high school…they’re not riding tricycles anymore. And those hipsters with those dangerous fixie brakeless bikes are indeed everywhere. </p>
<p>It is realistic to say most college kids don’t wear a helmet…but most of them don’t look down on those who do/probably even respect them. Pandem, you seem to be the type that “scorns” helmet use or thinks it is overprotective, not the type that realizes YOU are the careless one. Which is a really middle school attitude to have, no offense…</p>
<p>It’s irrelevant to me whether someone wears a helmet or not. I don’t look down upon anyone because they’re wearing a helmet, and nowhere have I said that. </p>
<p>What I do look down upon are others telling how things are. You’re the one spouting “wear a helmet or you’re going to die.” </p>
<p>I ride a bike just fine without one, thank you, and haven’t come close to being hit. FOR ME, PERSONALLY, as a soon to be college student, I WILL BE FINE WITHOUT A HELMET. So if I can be cautious and pay attention while riding, so can anyone else.</p>
<p>I certainly don’t harass people who wear helmets, but you seem to be harassing those who choose not to.</p>
<p>The smart thing to do is wear a helmet. You don’t know what’s going to happen while riding a bike, whether it be on a busy street or a college campus.</p>
<p>I’ve never been in a car accident. I guess I should stop wearing a seat belt. And while I’m at it, take out the e-brake to save a bit of weight, my regular brakes never fail.</p>
<p>There’s this kid on my campus who is known by everyone because he wears shorts every single day–and this is in Iowa, where winter temps are below freezing most days, some days as low as -30 to -40. He lived on the floor above me, and even his roommate never saw him wear pants–always shorts. Always rode his bike (even in winter, on ice), and wore a helmet. He solved the “have to carry my helmet” problem by wearing his helmet during class. He was certainly an odd ball, but it always made me laugh seeing a guy in shorts during a blizzard. And these weren’t baggy basketball player shorts–they were cotton (yes, cotton) or denim, and came to about 2" above his knees. Odd indeed.</p>
<p>Sadly I think he graduated in May. His legend will certainly live on.</p>
<p>On campuses that are really open, but not a lot of car/traffic incoming, riding a bike w/o a helmet is fine. Just be sure to yell get out of the way or ring your bell.</p>
<p>On campuses where there is a lot of traffic ie: cars/motorcycles etc… It’s wise to wear a helmet, but not required by the campus. If you feel necessary to protect yourself go for it, in the end, the people who don’t wear helmets are at greater risks. I generally don’t wear a helmet because it’s uncomfortable on me.</p>
<p>It’s just preference. Lugging it around campus is quite a pain, thus most people don’t wear one. At UCSD, most people wear the helmet when they go biking, mountain biking, racing, etc. Generally, going to class or commuting to another dorm area, no helmet is used. </p>
![http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/accessories/helmets/softlad.jpg[/url]](http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/accessories/helmets/softlad.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
