Riding Pretty

We just discovered the Riding Pretty website, an online store offering stylish bicycle helmet covers! Founder Shelly S. says her helmet covers are "sustainable, handmade, 'slow fashion' designs". Check out the Riding Pretty blog, where you can write Shelly to request a custom design!

Custom design by Riding Pretty

The Confederation for the Protection of Heads and Brains

Dustin John Bromley wrote in to let us know about his awesome non-profit organization, PROHAB. Read about it below and also check them out on facebook:

The Confederation for the Protection of Heads and Brains (PROHAB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing helmets by donation to active individuals who wouldn't normally use them. We strive to destroy any negative image projected upon helmets and protective wear. We love fun, and being safe while having it. For more info, or to request a helmet, please contact Dustin.

Times are Tough

Due to an overwhelming number of recent requests, we are now sending out stickers to folks who can help us out with a small donation. (We also have decided to start asking for donations because we are in a recession...and everyone needs to blame something on the recession.)

Any bit helps to keep us sustainable - seriously, any bit - $1.00 is all we ask to cover the cost of postage, material & sticker printing. If you want a bigger handful, let us know, throw a buck or 2 more our way, and they will be at your door step. Donations can be made via PayPal, a secured link. Once we hear from you, a handful of stickers will be sent to your post address (be sure to include a post address) within the next three weeks or so. All donations go directly towards the printing and delivery of stickers.

Thank you so much for helping to spread the "You'd look hotter in a helmet" message!

Cheers,
Lauren
The Safety is Sexy Campaign

Death sparks helmet debate on the slopes

Actress Natasha Richardson's recent death, due to an epidural hematoma after a skiing accident, has reopened the helmet debate for winter sports.

The tragic death on Wednesday of actress Natasha Richardson, following what a first appeared to be a minor fall while skiing, has sparked a debate on whether it should be mandatory for skiers and snowboarders to wear safety helmets. According to a BBC report, there has been a sharp increase in the number of skiers and snowboarders wearing helmets after several high profile skiing accidents this year - Medical News Today

Read these articles surrounding the topic through the Chicago Tribune and The Guardian.

HEADS UP! ReDefine the Helmet Competition

HEADS UP! ReDefine the Helmet Competition

Calling all artists of all ages, backgrounds and descriptions to showcase your talents. Your charge is to Re-invent, Re-define and Re-brand the bike helmet to save lives. Design is the extra sizzle and awesome sauce that can change minds and shift actions. We are reaching out to others with ideas and imaginative design skills. Can you help to redefine bike helmets as an essential fashion statement?

To Submit: Contact Adam or Noma @ The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop to register, submit designs and receive special prototype helmet canvas. Concept Designs due April 24th, 2009. Completed helmets due May 22nd, 2009

Award & Exhibition Opportunities: You could be eligible for a 25% creator’s commission on a custom line of helmets offered for sale at local shops. Selected entries will also be featured in Art-O-Matic 2009, on our University-linked website and in many other broadcast and print media.

Eligibility: Any resident of Washington, D.C. metro area, Maryland, Virginia.

Judging criteria: Youth appeal, humor, and audacity rule. Vibrant colors, powerful letterforms and character renderings welcome. Creative pastiche, sampling o.k. Please, no copywrite or trademark violations. Collaborations encouraged. A fully realized, completed helmet is a necessary part of the final entry.

Jurors: Youth and staff at The Engaged University (http://www.engagedu.umd.edu/)

Who we are: The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop (a project of The Engaged University @ UMCP). We are a youth-based, bike recycling shop and afterschool program that uses the bicycle as a catalyst to enhance the lives of young people through educational, recreational and entrepreneurial hands-on learning opportunities.

Contact us!
• Adam Schwartz, 301-405-3213, adamgs@umd.edu
• Noma Mpofu, 301-405-2285, nmpofu@umd.edu