Odds are if you’ve seen someone riding a bike around campus with a goofy-looking helmet, it’s probably me.Having resigned myself to being a nerd in about the third grade, I have no problem with people thinking I’m silly for wearing a helmet when I’m just riding across campus.

In my mind, there’s nothing to lose in wearing one, even if it does look funny.

I heard a story not too long ago that helped support my position on this issue.

A young husband who was an avid cycler was grilling out for his son and wife one evening when he decided to take a quick ride around the neighborhood without a helmet.

He never came back.

Turns out he had lost control on some gravel, skidded into the curb and cracked open his skull.

If it could happen to someone who rides a bike all the time, it could happen to someone who is just riding around campus.

Think this is just a one-time event?

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 630 people died on U.S. roads in cycling accidents in 2009.

This is less than the 718 who died in 2008, but consider that there were also approximately 51,000 people who were injured in a bike crash in 2009.

Even if we take into account that all 51,000 of these people probably did not receive head injuries, I ask again, what is the loss in wearing a helmet?

Of course they look ridiculous.

Every single one of them does.

However, being too prideful to not take the simple step of strapping one on before you ride seems a little absurd too.

So whether you’re riding across campus or up Roan Mountain, wear a helmet.

It may save your life.

Odds are if you’ve seen someone riding a bike around campus with a goofy-looking helmet, it’s probably me.

Having resigned myself to being a nerd in about the third grade, I have no problem with people thinking I’m silly for wearing a helmet when I’m just riding across campus.

In my mind, there’s nothing to lose in wearing one, even if it does look funny.

I heard a story not too long ago that helped support my position on this issue.

A young husband who was an avid cycler was grilling out for his son and wife one evening when he decided to take a quick ride around the neighborhood without a helmet.

He never came back.

Turns out he had lost control on some gravel, skidded into the curb and cracked open his skull.

If it could happen to someone who rides a bike all the time, it could happen to someone who is just riding around campus.

Think this is just a one-time event?

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 630 people died on U.S. roads in cycling accidents in 2009.

This is less than the 718 who died in 2008, but consider that there were also approximately 51,000 people who were injured in a bike crash in 2009.

Even if we take into account that all 51,000 of these people probably did not receive head injuries, I ask again, what is the loss in wearing a helmet?

Of course they look ridiculous.

Every single one of them does.

However, being too prideful to not take the simple step of strapping one on before you ride seems a little absurd too.

So whether you’re riding across campus or up Roan Mountain, wear a helmet.

It may save your life.

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