Avoiding concrete exposure

While riding my bike to class I became blue as I realized I was the only cyclist wearing a helmet. Or maybe I turned blue from the breathlessness that ensued as I tried to pedal up the hill between SPEA and Jordan Avenue (Hey, an incline is an incline, no matter how steep it isn't). Nonetheless I noticed a serious lack of helmet clad cyclists. \nNow I might not have the best fashion sense in the world. I still might occasionally wear the Babysitters Club T-shirt I got for my 9th birthday. But overall I'd say I'm a sharp dressed girl. And has a helmet impeded my future modeling career? The answer is no; my good looks impede on my modeling career. So if fashion is preventing you from using common sense, don't worry, you can always get different color helmets for different outfits. \nAnd if your head is particularly bulbous, there is a helmet for you too. Visit www.bellbikehelmets.com to find out about the Kinghead model.\nSo now you've found a helmet that fits your head and your style, but perhaps you don't want to get helmet hair. Sure, the feeling of the wind flowing through your locks is nice, but you'll want that helmet when your bike starts kicking up dirt. While helmets are good at protecting your head from concrete exposure, they also keep your hair clean. There was a time when I didn't wear a helmet and my tires sent dirt flying in every direction, including towards my hair. My friend spotted a clump of dirt and a nice little worm entangled in my curls after I rode to class. She calmly and quietly alerted our 200 classmates by yelling "Is that a worm in your hair?!" Now that I wear my helmet those worms just bounce right off it, and there's no need to disrupt class. \nThe main reason I now wear a helmet is because of an evil truck driver. He pulls into the middle of intersections before coming to a complete stop. I found this out one day as the truck came inches from crushing me. There was nothing for me to do but veer into the middle of Jordan Avenue. Luckily there were no other cars on the road because I had no time to check. It only took once for me to decide to wear a helmet again, although he's tried to get me ever then. Even if you are obeying all the traffic rules and riding at a safe pace, you can't make a bad driver notice you.\nAccording to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (www.helmets.org) 800 bikers die in the U.S. every year. Ninety percent of bicyclists who died in 2000 were not wearing helmets. Biking can make the trip to class quick and enjoyable, but we all know how crazy the roads and pathways are on campus with all the pedestrians and students who just have to drive to class (actual and ironic quote from a friend: "Will you give me a ride from Collins to my Air Pollution class in SPEA?"). Spending as little as $10 on a helmet could prevent you from cracking open your skull trying to weave through traffic. While the police won't stop you for not wearing a helmet (although according to the IU Student Association they might) I urge you to weigh the benefits and disadvantages: Making it to class in one piece, or pushing up daisies.