Have you ever looked at your bicycle helmet and thought to yourself, "Meh. I'll risk cracking my head open to spare today's expertly-coiffed hair?" If you answered yes, then you're not alone. According to statistics compiled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than half of all US bike riders routinely forgo a helmet, despite the fact that doing so puts them at significantly higher risk for head injury and death. While most surveyed claim that they simply forget, or assume it's not necessary given the distance of the ride, it goes without saying that vanity likely plays a role in the decision--consciously or not.
Well, now, for a mere $450, you can look fly and save your big fat melon from traumatic brain injury. The Hövding (Swedish for "chieftain") looks like your typical hipster cowl, but actually houses sensors that signal an internal airbag to fill and deploy upon impact. Though we're not entirely sold on the idea of an airbag for our head, the test video below has sold us on the need to overcome our own conceit and wear a damn old school helmet all the time, every time because this video is scarier than a teabagger at a Glenn Beck rally. Yes, that scary.
7 comments:
I'll take the regular old helmet, ANY DAY!
Nothing is scarier than teabaggers. Nothing.
Having said that, yes, wear your helmet! And it's funny you posted this today, because I woke up this morning having had one of those lucid, half-asleep waking dream thingies about: a needlepoint motorcycle helmet. I don't know why motorcycle per se, but I know a needlepoint *bicycle* helmet would sell like hotcakes on Etsy! (just wait--we'll see them on the front page soon)
the video is hypnotic. I have SO many friends that bike and don't wear helmets, it's scary/sad. They probably would be down with this, but not for $400+.
ah, yes: vanity vs safety. And after having suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (NOT due to riding a bike without a helmet), I can tell you it is soooo worth ruining the hair versus messing up your brain!! Hair can easily be re-styled -- brains, not so much!
Ack. I don't wear a helmet unless I'm biking long distances. I sort of feel like that guy with earmuffs in There's Something About Mary when things get near my ears. I don't like it!
I've been looking for a decent bike helmet though! I know I should wear a helmet, but I also think 50% of drivers need to realize that they're driving a potential killing machine! (so many bad drivers!)
i think the perfect solution to the problem would be to do what any self-respecting hipster would do naturally/intentionally and with a great deal of thought: fashionably overcompensate with irony.
i.e. wear a giant vintage motorcycle (or better yet, snowmobile) helmet paired with some enormously padded head-phones that, of course, serve no purpose because you can’t hear, but really make you look like you are an audiophile of substantial stature.
I'm a first time poster, but have been reading much of your blog lately. Thanks for all the info, keep it up!
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