Guilt trip

by a six year old.

For those that see me bike around you would have likely thought: "She's looks funny with the huge helmet." Something along those lines: a little nicer, a little ruder. I understand. I don't think it's the most appealing either. The reason I wear a hement is not really because I'm afraid of cracking my skull in a biking incident. I'm not that convinced that if such an accident were to occur that plastic on my head would save me either. As lame as it may sound, I wear a helment to be a role model.

Last summer, I was biking to work and was in the process of locking my bike before entertaining the camp premieses. Just then, one of the Group A girls, she was probably 6 or 7 years old bikes up next to me on her own little bike. Her dad was right behind her with his bike as well. They were both wearing helmets. She looks up at me, with your big eyes and innocent smile and asks, "Where is your helment?" To be frank I don't remember the exact wording, but I do know the effect of the conversation where she probably said something like, "But don't you always need to wear a helmet?" To which I probably replied, all the while getting nervous out of guilt, "That's right, you should always wear a helment. I just forgot mine's today (a fib) I promise I'll wear mine's tomorrow though."

And I've kept that promise. I don't think I've ever rode my bike without a helmet since that day. The first exception was last night when I was rushing out in the evening to meet up with mr to work on our law trial. As I hopped onto the seat of my bike I realized I forgot my helment, but because I was running late so I nervously let it go and biked away. It actually made me feel weird and insecure. Coincidentally, the night before a close friend crashed her bike on the street had to go to the hospital. That made it extra nerve-racking as I biked down down the same street I've biked down probably hundreds of times before, shared by big, fast, cars.

By the way, it's "illegal" to bike and not wear a helment ey? By law you're also supposed to have a bell and lights once it gets dark. To bad helmets are still frowned upon from the fashion respective. But, if enough people just START wearing their helmet then it'll just become the norm, and like me you will be frowned upon for NOT wearing a helmet instead.

After last night, and the feelings of incompleteness without my helmet I have a new appreciation for my helment(s). And over time...I've realized that helmets don't even look that dorky... The only limitation with biking is that I can't wear dresses or skirts. Booo...