Ode to my Helmet

Each individual cyclist has their own respective bicycle taste, and everyone knows that a bicycle’s number one accessory is its helmet. Helmets come in many different varieties like road, mountain, commuter, skate, BMX, and downhill racing.

My helmet, a little retro Styrofoam number I found in the BCGP supply closet, could arguably fit into its own category. In the way that handlebar mustaches ride a fine line between stylishly retro and unattractive; my helmet is either hideous or awesome, depending on whom you ask.

My helmet, being a pretty large statement on its own, is also a colossal failure at accessorizing my brand new gold and white Fuji Cambridge. The juxtaposition between the two is little much for most people to handle, and often provokes comments like, “this helmet with that bicycle?” or just plain old “yikes”. Sure I could bite the bullet and go buy a fancy BMX helmet; I mean that was my plan from the moment I opened the supply closet door. But back in September, sometime within those months of riding back and forth to the 1500 Walnut, I got attached to the little guy.

Let’s face it, he’s been by my side this first year at the Bicycle Coalition, shining back at me through cold weather while facing regular criticism and ridicule. Even without the shine (its red plastic red cover recently fell off leaving it a white Styrofoam shell) I haven’t been able to let him go.

People who are familiar with Safe Routes Philly know that whatever the helmets’ color, shape, size, or type it has one sole purpose; to protect that smart brain of yours. That being said, the red plastic cover’s absence makes my helmet unsafe to ride with, and I’ve recently made the decision let the old guy go.

Instead of throwing “ole helmet” in the trash I’ve decided to give it a new life via make over. I’m asking the readers of this blog to help with ideas to “Pimp My Helmet” either by finding an alternate purpose for it (flower pot) or just making it look pretty (bedazzling). Seeing that I can only go up from a white Styrofoam shell, I plan on moving forward with the most worthy suggestion. Game on.