Raincoaster, those are just the wrecks where my head — or helmet, rather –smacked the ground. Not to be bragging, but one can’t put several thousand miles on a bike and expect only two crashes. The last was just last year, and had unbalanced panniers as a contributing factor (um, that one didn’t lead to helmet smacking the ground).

Raincoaster, at the risk of sounding like a royal jerkface, I’ll say if that’s your opinion, then you probably don’t need a helmet, either. As a cyclist who has been saved (twice!) by helmets, I’ve become the Supreme Helmet Advocate From Hell. They *are* that good, and I’ve pressed that point to lots of newbies. I know all the arguments, and they’re all bad: “I’m not going far!” or “I’m not going fast!” are the two most common ones heard. All I can say is those two numbers are variable and the only number that matters is the distance of your head to the ground. THAT number is a constant, and is the only critical number.

As for your arguments: First, wear it correctly and you’ll be able to see fine. Second, studies have shown a light colored helmet reflects the sun and results in a cooler head (I apologize for not being able to cite the study). Third, some models have removable pads that can be removed and washed. However, I don’t have that problem; I wear a wicking do-rag under my bike helmet and that takes care of the sweat and the funk.

(We all have our buttons; mine was pushed. Please flame away; just please please please keep it civil. And I’d also like to say this about my two crashes: One was my fault; on the other I was ridden off the trail. No matter; all cyclists, and most rollerbladers, know it’s not a matter of *if* you’ll fall, but *when*.)