The Safety is Sexy Campaign

Hasta luego mis amigos!

2010-08-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Updates:
The Safety is Sexy Campaign is taking a break and traveling through Central America. We will be back in January 2011.

Our 5,000+ bulk supply of stickers has run dry! We will now be selling our merchandise (stickers, shirts, buttons) through our online store, The Safety is Sexy Campaign Shop.

Since sticker printing and mailing has ceased, all further campaign proceeds will be donated to 'cheap helmet' programs in the Chicago area. Thank you so much for all of your support and generous donations over the past 5 years.

Cheers,
Lauren
The Safety is Sexy Campaign

P.s. If you have a helmet organization in your community that could benefit from a small donation, please write The Safety is Sexy Campaign with more information.

Asheville on Bikes!

2010-08-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Check out Asheville on Bikes, a grassroots bicycle organization from North Carolina, and a fan of The Safety is Sexy Campaign!

(Jeff Zimmerman put this video together with over 7000 photos during an Asheville on Bikes event, "Bike Love 2010".)

Check out Cyclechic

2010-08-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

Caz from Cyclechic Ltd. wrote to tell us about her business:

"Our aim is to find helmets that are stylish and flattering to encourage more women to were them when cycling. We...promote a helmet as a sexy, stylish option."

Thanks Caz! Here is where you can buy one in the States!

Or if you are abroad, check them out at 58 - 60 Rivington Street, London, England.

Skating the Solo Estilo Le's

2010-04-24T18:59:00.001-07:00

Photo credit: Kyle Paul Turner

Pedal Panties!

2010-01-19T16:25:00.000-08:00

While walking by a store window the other day in Berkley, CA, The Safety is Sexy Campaign came across these fabulous panties!

We went inside to check them out and as the name suggests, these are padded panties that are great for biking - they are comfortable, sexy and high quality! You can order through their website or at Beauty & Attitude in Berkeley, CA!

Ski helmet saved 6-year-old's life

2010-01-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

"At best, doctors said 6-year-old Julia Griggs would have suffered a 'significant brain injury' had she not been wearing a helmet when she hit a tree while downhill skiing last week. At worst? She might not have made it." Read entire article here.

Hundreds gather to honor couple killled in cycling accident

2009-10-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

Photo Source: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express News.

BOERNE, Texas -- Hundreds of people came together to remember a San Antonio a husband and wife who were killed while riding a bicycle built for two.

About 300 cyclists wore black and bicycle-shaped pins Tuesday night in honor of Greg and Alex Bruehler. The unique tribute included a church service and a bike ride.

"They're just a caring couple with a wonderful daughter who, unfortunately, doesn't have a mom and daddy anymore," said family friend.

The couple's little girl, 7-year-old Kylie Bruehler, stood outside the church while the cyclists formed an honor guard.

The people who took part in the memorial ride said they are not only mourning the couple's loss, they are also trying to raise awareness about cycling safety on the roads.

Story from WOAI.com

Time off: Heading to Iceland!

2009-08-03T21:35:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

The Safety is Sexy Campaign is hitting the road and taking off to Iceland!

We hear the roads may be a bit difficult to navigate by bicycle, but we're up to the challenge and will report back at the beginning of September!

Here's to safe summer vacations for all!

(Send us photos from your summer helmeted travels and we'll post them up!)

Cheers,
Lauren
The Safety is Sexy Campaign

Hotter in a Hard Hat

2009-08-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

Wes Cheney, photographer with Norfolk Southern Railroad, prepares to rig lighting on the railroad trestle across the Potomac River in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. For twenty consecutive years, Norfolk Southern has been the safest railroad in North America, with an injury rate lower than that of most restaurants and hotels. Picture by Luke Sharrett, courtesy of Norfolk Southern, Corp.

New Troxel Web Portal Raises Helmet Safety Awareness

2009-08-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Picture borrowed from the Troxel website.

A new helmet safety resource center was recently launched by Troxel, an equestrian helmet company. Read the news blast below and check out their new site here!

San Diego, CA – July 2, 2009 – Troxel LLC, the worldwide leader in ASTM/SEI-certified equestrian helmets, today unveils the Troxel SafetyResource Center, an interactive educational resource for the equestrian community. Troxel’s Safety Resource Center is the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of equestrian helmet safety information available online. Organized into categories for adults, kids, and educators, the site provides an assortment of information, games, and resources designed to engage equestrian riders, promote safe helmet practices and ultimately reduce the occurrences and severity of headinjuries.“We are excited to deliver a site that is both educational and fun thatappeals to riders of all ages,” said Shay Timms, CEO of Troxel. “The Safety Resource Center gives us a unique opportunity to share necessary helmetinformation with the community in new ways and we are excited to see what the community will add.”

Highlights of the new site include:
• For Adults: Helmet Evaluation, Proper Fit Guide, and Online Resources
• For Kids: Games, Helmet Myths, Tips for Finding the Right Helmet
• For Educators: Lesson Plans, Certification Information, Testing Videos and Studies
• HeadSmart Blog Troxel’s Safety Resource Center incorporates Web 2.0 technologies, allowing visitors to interact and contribute their own perspectives on safety and helmet use. Their stories and comments appear in the “HeadSmart Blog,” where riders can recount firsthand experiences of “kicks falls and other closecalls.”

The new website was designed by Teneleven Interactive, an Internet marketing
agency based in San Diego, CA.

“We hope the Safety Resource Center will bring people together and help raise awareness of the importance of head protection,” said Timms.“Including riders’ actual stories, told in their own words, adds a level of impact and a fresh perspective to the safety center. We want to ensure thattheir stories are at the heart of everything we are doing to create safe products.”

About Troxel: Troxel is the world's leading provider of ASTM / SEI certified equestrian helmets for competitive, schooling and recreational riding. Established in1898, Troxel is recognized for its innovative design and research leadership in helmetry. Based in San Diego, California, Troxel now dedicates all its resources to equestrian helmets and related accessories, and has providedover three million helmets to the equestrian market.

Contact: Karisa Dern

Be Cool

2009-08-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Read this recent post from the Consumer Report Health blog that talks about a recent survey that finds more than half of Americans don’t wear a bike helmet.

Model shots

2009-06-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

Paul, from the Sexiness of Biking website, wrote to say hi and show us some helmet photos. Check out these photos by Norah Hoover - more great pics on the website.

I <3 Monareta!

2009-05-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Check them out on their website .

Thinking Saves Lifes

2009-05-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

Bike Safety PSA #1

2009-05-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Gwadzilla for passing on this great video!

Riding Pretty

2009-04-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-19T22:49:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-19T13:36:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

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

Obitchuary lookin' hotter!

2009-03-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

From the DC Rollergirls Season Three, Game Two bout. Thanks for the support, Obithuary! Check out more photos and learn about the awesome DC Rollergirls on their website and flickr page.

Birds overhead

2009-03-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

Check out Let's Go Ride a Bike's blog for one of their many reasons to wear a helmet!

Photo Shoot!

2009-03-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

Recent photo shoot for The Safety is Sexy Campaign!

Photographs by Meredith Zielke.

In the News!!

2009-03-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

What do cyclists have against helmets?

The cover story in this week's Washington, DC CityPaper seeks to answer this question!Journalist Tanya Snyder's article is all about helmets. She gave The Safety is Sexy Campaign a shout out, along with a lot of great helmet stories.

Let us know what you think! Read it in the CityPaper here.

What's IN in 2009!

2009-02-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

That helmet is so 2008!

No worries, The Safety is Sexy Campaign is here to help you keep up to date with the latest styles in helmets for the very fine 2000 & nine!

Check out what the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute has to say about helmet trends for 2009!

(But, just to note, if you're in love with your current skid lid, no real need to change it up unless you've been in an accident, it's damaged, or has been dropped multiple times. The website says that "there are no radical safety improvement this year that would compel you to replace your current helmet".)

Not for the faint at heart

2009-02-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

From Bill in Madison, WI:

I had an accident on a moped while I wasn't wearing a helmet. These are pictures of me a year ago. I am working on moped safety here in Madison, have done news clips, changed my major, changed my career choices, and I give speeches and make statements to the helmet-less. I intend to use these stickers to prove the point.

Disposable Bike Helmets?

2009-02-11T20:04:00.000-08:00

Folks, it's a fact.

We are in a cresession (crisis/recession).

But now is not the time to skimp on safety. Instead, just go cheap! We found helmets in bulk for less than $4 through the ProRider website. Now that's a deal!

The future of bike helmets!

2009-02-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

Read here about future helmet designs!

NEW! Stickers in multiple languages!

2009-01-16T17:23:00.000-08:00

In response to multiple requests, stickers are now available in multiple languages through The Safety is Sexy Shop. Spanish, Portuguese, Korean and Mandarin are currently available - more to come. We hate to see the price set so high, but this is the minimum base price for bumper stickers through the Zazzle company.

Check 'em out below!

Monareta

2009-01-15T13:25:00.001-08:00

This band was just featured on NPR's TheWorld (listen here). Monareta performs shows and do their interviews while wearing bicycle helmets! We're very excited to find out about this group and we're going to write them and see if they would like to be a celebrity sponsor for The Safety is Sexy Campaign!

Check out their myspace page here.

A note from the Big Apple

2009-01-15T10:46:00.000-08:00

A recent e-mail from Morgan of NYC:

Tuesday morning I was riding my bike eastbound on 46th st when a jaywalker coming towards me decides to do the dear in the headlights dance and in trying to avoid him I went down fast and hard. Fortunately my hip took the brunt of the fall but my helmet took the rest causing it to crack through 2 foam vents. Had it not been for the helmet I'd be dead and after posting to a board I'm on telling people to buy a helmet a friend suggested I post here:+) So wear a helmet and be safe and sexy!

Around the world

2009-01-15T07:42:00.001-08:00

The Safety is Sexy Campaign made its way all around the globe to Japan!

If anyone can translate, let us know! ヘルメットはクールで魅力的

Happy Holidays from The Safety is Sexy Campaign!

2008-12-15T13:32:00.000-08:00

Seasons Greetings!

The Safety is Sexy Campaign is taking off some time for the holiday season.

Also, just a bit of news, when we start things back up after the New Year, we will be stationed in a new spot -- we're moving to Chicago! Just as soon as we return on January 12th, 2009, all sticker orders will be sent out from good olde midwest Chi-town! So long, Washington, DC, you've been good to us!

Cheers & Happy Holidays!

The Safety is Sexy Campaign

Image borrowed from the 2005 Calendar by Emma.

The economy is down, buy a helmet!

2008-12-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, buy a loved one a new helmet! Let us know about it and we'll send you a 'You'd look hotter in a helmet' sticker for you to throw in with your presents!

More cavers!

2008-12-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

Never too young to look hotter

2008-12-03T08:49:00.000-08:00

Check out this little caver! (and a bigger one behind her). This is an addition to our posts covering all helmeted sports! (climbing, skateboarding, and skiing recently featured)

International Travel

2008-12-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

Rosgani, from Subang - West Java, Indonesia, found us and has added a story on his blog. It is written in Bahasa Indonesia, but you can translate it with Google Translate in the right column. It comes out to be a pretty funny interpretation!

It's dark outside!

2008-11-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

Winter is here and it's getting dark outside! It's time to not only put your helmet on, but get bright with light!

Enjoy this video with some HOT tips on getting VISIBLE!

Interbike Urban Legend Fashion Show Video

2008-11-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

Check out these fashion pics from MOMENTUM's innovative "Urban Legend" bikefashion show. A video of the event and more photos are on the MOMENTUM website.

To the Gym

Work

Semi-Formal

Weekend Casual

Daytime Casual

Climbing around

2008-11-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

Beautiful photos from a reader's recent mounting climbing adventure in Yosemite Valley. Thank you Jason for sending these in!

Rocking the board

2008-11-10T10:51:00.001-08:00

'nuff said

Get ready for winter!

2008-11-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

Snow bunnies, Nick, Emily and Maggie!

Looking sexy on the slopes!

Out with the old, in with the new!

2008-11-10T10:40:00.001-08:00

Thanks to You!

2008-09-18T17:20:00.001-07:00

A huge thank you to all who have generously contributed this year to The Safety is Sexy Campaign. With your support, the campaign was able to purchase our first sticker shipment solely on the financial donations from our supporters.

THANK YOU!!!

Out of the summer haze

2008-09-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy summer for The Safety is Sexy Campaign! We have been traveling around the States and went as far as Portland to experience the most incredibly bicycle friendly city in the USA! Take a look at these photos - bike parking! traffic lights just for bikes! It was truly amazing.

A sincere apology to any supporter who has ordered 'You'd look hotter in a helmet.' stickers within the past two months. Although our sticker order is late in its shipment, we too have been on summer vacation -- and apologize for the delay!

We are now back on track and all sticker requests from the months of July and August are out the door. September's requests will be sent out just as soon as our shipment comes in, hopefully within the next two weeks!

Cheers,
Lauren
The Safety is Sexy Campaign

D.C. Bike Sharing Kicks Into High Gear

2008-08-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Declare the District's urban-cool inferiority complex officially over...the city [has joined] the ranks of Paris and Barcelona with the launch of the first high-tech public bike-sharing program in the United States, forcing such cities as San Francisco and Chicago to look here to see chic alternative transportation in action in America.
Read more here.

Brainwear for smart people

2008-08-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

Make your helmet look like a hat! Check it out at Yakkay.

Your Ode to Biking had one Flaw

2008-08-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

Responses to a recent Washington Post article about summer cycling

I'd like to offer an addendum to the fine Aug. 2 Style article "Cycling Back Around," which promoted the joys and benefits of commuting and doing errands by bike: Wear a helmet! I cannot emphasize it enough. This should have been repeated throughout the article, not just mentioned toward the end of it. I'm in the midst of a month-long recuperation from a serious accident that happened while I was running errands on a bicycle. I don't even remember the ambulance ride that landed me in an intensive-care unit for 36 hours. Without my helmet I would probably be dead, not recovering from a brain bleed, a concussion and broken ribs.
-- Mary D. Gorman, Chevy Chase

I was surprised and disappointed to see you glamorizing riding without a helmet. Not only did the text describe women with their "hair flowing helmet-free," but a photo illustrated this very risk. Even my 9-year-old had no trouble pointing out the stupidity of depicting a helmet-less woman riding a bike in traffic.
-- Melinda Kelley, Potomac
Because I love cycling, I was appalled by your positive references to pedaling without a helmet. Helmeted cycling is still joyful, and even if it's a little less so than riding without a helmet -- well, so what? All sorts of ill-advised things feel good, but we learn not to do them because the risks to ourselves and others aren't worth it.
-- Lennie Magida, Potomac

A bit of variety

2008-08-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

Time to update your style? Check out nutcase helmets for some options.

Safer drivers, Safer bikers and Safer roads.

2008-08-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

As More Cyclists Take to The Streets, Dangers Persist...Bike Safety Hits Close to Home.

Sticker sighting at this year's RAGBRAI

2008-08-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

Just traded a sticker for this picture.

2008-08-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

How things works

2008-07-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Cozy Beehive gives a good explanation of how a bicycle helmet works.

Any cheap helmet programs out there (besides Portland)?

2008-07-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Legacy Emanuel Hospital's Trauma Nurses Talk Tough program runs Bicycle Helmet Sales throughout the year in Protland, Oregon, where you can purchase and have professionally fitted, a new bicycle helmet for a mere $5 donation. Helmets of all sizes (from toddlers to adults) are available and will be fitted to each person. Kids can bring in their own helmets for correct fitting and adjustment. Bicycle and pedestrian lights also are available.

One just occured in July, but you can find out about future events where they will be having their $5 helmet program on their website here.

Any other programs accross the States like this?

Another sleek helmet design

2008-07-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Design concept for a 'Commuter Bicycle Helmet' by Björn Bengtsson

Lovely in Lacoste

2008-07-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Kyle of Safety meets Chic came out with her final design. Check it out.

Hey. Your house is on fire.

2008-07-22T05:47:00.000-07:00

Bike accident victim urges UF students to wear helmets, read here.

According to [David] Sutton, bicyclists hospitalized with head injuries are 20 times more likely to die than those without, and wearing a helmet reduces your risk of head injury by 85 percent.

...the No. 1 reason why most people don’t wear helmets is that they don’t think it’s cool. “That’s 100 percent it,” Sutton said. “It’s like wearing a tie; people think they look dorky.”

Good morning!

2008-07-21T06:22:00.001-07:00

Follow-up on death of biker

2008-07-10T05:26:00.000-07:00

Alice Swanson was uneasy about riding her bike through city streets to work every morning, so a colleague told her to always wear a helmet for the trip, which was just over two miles.

The helmet was not enough yesterday morning. Swanson, 22, was hit by a trash truck during rush hour near Dupont Circle and killed.

Read an update here.

Cyclist Stuck, Killed by Garbage Truck in Washington, DC

2008-07-08T11:22:00.001-07:00

Cyclist Struck, Killed by Garbage Truck
By Debbi Wilgoren and Allison Klein
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, July 8, 2008; 1:36 PM

A 22-year-old bicyclist was struck by a garbage truck and killed just north of Dupont Circle today, authorities said. Police and fire vehicles converged on the scene at 20th and R streets NW, snarling Connecticut Avenue traffic during the morning rush.

D.C. Police this afternoon identified the cyclist as District resident Alice Swanson, although no other details about her were released.

Swanson was struck at 7:37 a.m., D.C. police spokesman Kenny Bryson said. An officer in the uniformed division of the Secret Service was nearby and pulled her from under the truck to administer CPR, said Alan Etter, a spokesman for the D.C. Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

She could not be revived.

"The truck just ran completely over her," Etter said.

The truck was owned by KMG Hauling Inc., a Sterling-based company. In a telephone interview, KMG Hauling owner Hugo Garcia said his company is investigating details of the accident.

"We're looking at everything, trying to figure out what happened," Garcia said. "It looks like an unfortunate accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased."

He would not say how long the driver of the truck had been employed by KMG, or whether his company was working for the city or a private residence or business.

On its Web site, KMG is described as "the leading provider of waste and environmental management services" to the D.C. metropolitan area. The company has been in existence for nearly 30 years, the Web site says, with "a variety of commercial and residential accounts including restaurants, hotels, office and apartment buildings, retail stores, government buildings, construction companies and housing communities."

This is the first fatal bike crash of 2008. Last year there were two bikers killed on city streets, police said.

There have been 20 traffic fatalities this year in the District, compared with 27 at this time last year.

Some two hours after the accident, the mangled bicycle was still visible under the truck's right front tire. A helmet and a backpack could be seen on the street a few feet away. Parts of Connecticut Avenue were closed for more than two hours, along with portions of 20th and R streets just east of Connecticut.

Any creative solutions out there?

2008-06-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

A lot of cities are starting up bike share programs. Check out a recent article about Washington, DC's program, SmartBikes, developed in part by MetroBike LLC -- a progressive transportation consulting company whose expertise is bike-sharing.

Bike share programs are a great way to bring cost-effective, environmentally friendly public transportation options to commuters and tourists! But there is a major helmet issue that has yet to be solved. The following comment about was posted by Paul DeMaioby of MetroBike LLC. Read below and share your thoughts. Any creative solutions out there for ensuring everyone rides safely with a 'clean' helmet?

A major problem in promoting a convenience bike hire system is the compulsory helmet laws in some countries, as riding a one size adjust for all bike is relatively easy to deal with there is a serious danger in and major liability issue for the hirer if they provide a helmet .

Wearing the wrong size of helmet can actually cause death or serious injury in the event of the helmet hitting the ground and failing to perform as designed. (there is greater damage through rotational forces on the brain rather than puncture of the cranium which by evolutionary processes generally outperforms all helmets in direct impact collisions.

Sharing helmets presents a serious health problem in the transmission of scalp-borne diseases and infections - the damage of a head lice or similar epidemic already bubbling under the surface in many developed countries would be exponentially enhanced by sharing helmets.

The integrity of a helmet is compromised by its first impact either worn on a head or trapped by a closing door/falling bike. So how does the hire agency check-in a helmet after the first and subsequent hires.

Quite simply the compulsory helmet wearing laws should be repealed for everyday riding - noting that the most dangerous place to ride bikes is on foot ways and cycle paths, and the Dutch traffic engineers terminology of calling the cycle routes Cycle Roads and designing them exactly as any other road for vehicle use.

Vital Signs

2008-06-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

From today's New York Times:

Death Soars After Repeal of Helmet Law

In 2003, Pennsylvania legislators repealed a law requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Researchers who studied deaths and injuries over the next two years say that decision had lethal, and expensive, consequences.

The researchers compared accident statistics from the two years before repeal with numbers from the two years after. After repeal, helmet use among riders in crashes decreased to 58 percent from 82 percent. At the same time, head injury deaths increased 66 percent and head injury hospitalizations increased 78 percent.

Meanwhile, total acute-care hospital charges for motorcycle-related head injuries increased 132 percent in the latter period, compared with a 69 percent increase in other injury costs. The study was published in The American Journal of Public Health.

Although motorcycle registrations also increased, the rate of crashes per 10,000 registrants remained the same, indicating that there was little change in driving habits, road conditions or the risk behavior of riders.

In 1975, the federal government stopped requiring states to have helmet laws as a condition of receiving federal highway money, and today only 20 states and the District of Columbia require helmets for all riders. “We hope that legislators take a look at the data,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Kristen J. Mertz, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh, “and consider reinstituting universal mandatory helmet laws.”

Always use protection

2008-06-24T07:23:00.001-07:00

The Safety is Sexy Campaign merchandise is now available!

2008-06-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

You can now buy 'You'd look hotter in a helmet' t-shirts and buttons at The Safety is Sexy Campaign Shop.

Your purchase helps to sustain the operation of The Safety is Sexy Campaign. Thank you for your support!

As always, for free stickers send your post address to safetyissexy@gmail.com.

P.S. This shop is new, so please give us your feedback! If there is something you want that isn't here, let us know and we can work on designing it.

B:C:Clettes are at it again!

2008-05-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome video by the ladies of B:C:Clettes, an "all lady, bike inspired, street-performance collective."

Cinelli Classic Leather Helmets

2008-05-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Walking along the waterfront in Washington, DC, The Safety is Sexy Campaign ran into a fellow sporting a Cinelli Classic leather helmet (a hairnet helmet). These are designed and handmade by Adrea Cinelli and have been used by professional riders for decades (although we hesitate to say how much damage control they provide, any stories out there?)

Description from one website:

Cool, light and exceptionally comfortable. Soft Danish leather interior, washable patent leather exterior. Padded rim and ribs, full leather strap and chromed buckle. Not as protective as a hard shell helmet and not race legal in the US.

Thoughts, readers?

Bike-to-Work Day is Friday, May 16 (Tomorrow)!!

2008-05-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Last year The Safety is Sexy Campaign had a great time spreading the word about helmets at Bike-to-Work Day.

And now it's time to do it again! This is a reminder that tomorrow, Friday, May 16, is Bike-to-Work Day!

The League of American Bicyclists, the offical site for National Bike Month, is supporintg Bike-to-Work Week from May 12-16 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16. Check out what bike month and bike-to-work week events are going on in your community.

Make sure to encourage others to bring their helmet on the ride to work!

No one kind fits all

2008-04-30T06:56:00.000-07:00

A recent article by Eliza McGrawin in the Washington Post discusses how different sports require different helmets. Read some highlights below, or the article in full here.

Can't one all-purpose helmet suffice?

In a word, no, say medical experts. That's because different sports subject the body to different forces from different directions -- and sport-specific helmets are designed accordingly. "If you think about riding a bicycle, people tend to fall off front first, so they are more at risk for the front of their head hitting the ground, or a wall, because they are moving forward," Gioia says. A bike helmet has frontal protection to guard against this. "But then you have kids that are on skateboards, and the more typical thing for a skateboard is the skateboard zipping out, and you fall backwards and hit the back of your head." Skateboard helmets typically cover more of the skull and the back of the neck than bike helmets.
An equestrian helmet shields the top and sides of a rider's skull from impact in case of falls or kicks from a horse; secure chin straps keep the helmet in place during trots, gallops and jumps.

Since the 1990s, helmet use has become increasingly common in all sports. Twenty-one states (including Maryland) plus the District require cyclists to wear a helmet, according to Safe Kids USA; Virginia has never passed a bike helmet law, but several Northern Virginia counties, including Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William, require their use by children younger than 15, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. At least six states plus the District also require children to wear helmets while using scooters, skates and skateboards. But in some sports, lenient policies still compromise safety.
The immersible kayak helmet features secure strapping plus back and side protection against rocks.
Anyone participating in a sport with a risk of head trauma needs to find the best helmet out there for that particular sport. It may mean that you will end up with an entire shelf dedicated to helmets, but the increased safety is worthwhile.

Cuter in a helmet

2008-04-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

Design update

2008-04-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Update from Kyle of Safety meets Chic:

The idea for my project struck me one day (literally) when I ran into the back of a pickup truck while cycling to school. I usually wear a helmet, but this day I had a class presentation and didn't want to have helmet hair and look like a nerdy cyclist, so I left my helmet at home. I felt a lot less cool when I spent the next two weeks explaining to people that I ran into the truck and that's how I got the minor concussion,black eye and stitches. Reflecting why I didn't wear a helmet that day motivated me to pursue my current project.

Simply the purpose of my project is to design a "casual" helmet for North American women. My goal is to provide a fashionable alternative to the race-inspired, multi-vented spaceships forms and the garish graphics that typifies most helmets on the market. I would like to counter this with a tastefully designed, innocuous helmet that blends in with street fashion. In essence a helmet suits the task of a leisurely ride around town, running errands or commuting. I see this akin to wearing a casual street shoe versus wearing a technical hiking boot just to go to the store. Currently my direction is to design a helmet that is more akin to clothing then a protective gear. I hope to accomplish this by using natural materials such as wool, felt, leather and cork (as an alternative to EPS foam) which are less "techy /racy" appearing and more inspired by the heritage of millinery and traditional helmet construction.

A great loss in the freestyle skating community

2008-04-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

Below is a letter from Erin Hyser of Skatepile.com who has written to us with the sad news of the recent death of Josh Waggoner, a member of Skatepile's freestyle skating community (a.k.a. aggressive rollerblading). He was not wearing his helmet during the accident. This group is "doing all we can to try to change the stigma associated with helmets and freestyle skating" and have asked all the shops in their sport to sell helmets at cost for a week in honor of Josh.

If you are an employee or owner of a shop that sells helmets, The Safety is Sexy Campaign asks that you join this effort in honor of Josh Waggoner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends and Family,

Most of you are aware of the loss the freestyle rolling community suffered last week. On March 26th at about 2:30pm a dear friend of our family, Josh Waggoner, fell while street skating. The fall was to his ribs first and then Josh hit his head. He was immediately knocked unconscious. We got the phone call at about 3:30pm and gathered our kids to head to the hospital for what we thought was a concussion and maybe some stitches.

Upon arriving to the hospital we found out from Josh’s mom, Vicki, the severity of the situation was far worse. Tom and I thought it was best that he took the kids home and got them to bed. I stayed at the hospital with about 100 of Josh’s closest friends and family. At about 1:00am a hospital patient representative came into the room and told us the most unfortunate news we never wanted to hear. Josh was not going to make it. He continued to be on life support while the family and hospital staff quickly made preparations for organ donations.

By being an organ donor Josh helped save at least 6 other lives. We were able to find out that his heart was given to a person in their 30's in Georgia. His liver was given to two children in Florida. His lungs are breathing in Virginia. It is just like Josh to still be giving in this way.

Josh was only 17 years old. He was such a great young man. He was Bella and TJ's babysitter. He was an employee of Skatepile and a rider for Rollerblade too. Josh was very special to our family. He had so many close friends. He was loved by so many people.

I'm writing today to see if you can find it in your heart to help his family. Josh leaves behind his mother - Vicki, step-father - Eric, 13 year old brother - Brent, and 8 year old twin sisters - Ashley and Allison.

I have set up a Paypal account that is taking donations for the family. All monies will go to them to help with medical expenses, funeral costs and day-to-day living expenses. Pass this email on to anyone you think might help. Thank you so much!!! Please click here if you would like to make a donation. Or you can visit Skatepile.com.
Peace and love,
Erin Hyser

Use a helmet AND brakes

2008-04-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

This article, posted on the Bike Snob NYC blog back in January, is an interesting discussion about "why cycling is the world's most popular underground activity" and the author mentions the role of helmets.

This is a well needed reminder that wearing a helmet does not make one invincible. Routine safety precautions still need to be upheld to ensure your safety in the helmet-suggested and helmet-required activities you engage in.

Read the entire article here, we've skipped to reason three:

Cycling is everywhere. People ride for fitness, pleasure, competition, transportation, and work, and it’s something just about everyone knows how to do. (Sure, you occasionally meet adults who never learned how to ride a bike, but you generally regard them with the sort of suspicion you reserve for people who don’t use email or who can’t do their own laundry.) Nonetheless, cycling is still regarded as a fringe activity. Sure, there are places where cycling is part of the mainstream culture, like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portland, Oregon, but none of those places are in the United States. Here, cycling occupies approximately the same niche as pornography, in that it’s something that pretty much everybody is familiar with, yet few people seem willing to openly embrace. Lately I’ve been putting some thoughts into just why this is, and I’ve come up with three primary reasons:

3) Helmets and Brakeless Riding

It goes without saying that it’s better to wear a helmet than not to wear a helmet. And certainly people should be encouraged to wear them. However, the degree to which people are being encouraged to wear them may be backfiring. Pro-helmet vehemence has reached the same level as anti-smoking vehemence, which means that many non-cyclists have the impression that simply mounting a bicycle with a bare head is tantamount to suicide. This makes cycling (helmeted or not) seem like a riskier endeavor than it is. Similarly, some riders who do wear helmets consequently feel a layer of security which is falsely enhanced by a sense of self-righteousness, and which runs deeper than the mere inch or so of foam on their heads. In fact, people put so much faith in helmets that it’s now commonplace to see fixed-gear riders wearing helmets on bikes with no brakes. Choosing a helmet over a brake means that riders are putting way too much confidence in helmets alone, and it suggests a disturbing trend of blind faith and passivity in cycling. This is the same mentality that once made people think that filters would protect them from their cigarettes. Riding a bike with a helmet but no brake is like leaving the stove on when you go to work because you have homeowner’s insurance, or like wearing a condom while you shoot heroin with a dirty needle. The result is we now have a population split between the notion that cycling is too dangerous to pursue, and the notion that a helmet will save them from anything. And of course both of these notions are wrong. So what happens is, half the people don’t ride in the first place, and the other half wind up lying on the ground under their brakeless bikes wondering why their helmet didn’t make them stop fast enough.

Helmet camera

2008-04-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

Get one here.

More ads from Lazer Helmets

2008-03-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Helmets work

2008-03-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

The bike helmet company Lazer Helmets has some very creative advertising campaigns. We particularly like this one, borrowed from the blog Why Me?

Big head

2008-03-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

Advice from a reader on helmets for "cranially blessed" individuals. Thanks!

"I've been looking, for quite some time, for a decent helmet that will fit those of us with excessive brain capacity that results in a larger skull that makes it hard to find a brain bucket that fits. My research has uncovered a few nice, inexpensive helmets in the larger sizes.

The Bell Triton:http://penncycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&sort=brandasc&id=13618

The Trek Vapor 3 Sport:http://penncycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=12393

And my personal favorite, the Giro Atlas II:http://penncycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=14908

All in larger sizes, all with decent looks, and all under $40. Thought you might like to know."

Stylish!

2008-03-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

I love this beret helmet.

(Scroll down on the page a bit)

Happy rider

2008-03-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Mind your brain

2008-03-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

The Safety is Sexy Campaign was highlighted this month in an expo on head & brain injury during the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's Patient Safety Awareness Week.

Helmet survey

2008-03-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

Kyle from Canada wrote in with this request:

As an avid cyclist I am genuinely stoked about your blog, which I stumbled across in the midst of my senior thesis in industrial design. For my senior year I have chosen to focus on examining the perception of cycling and cyclists in North American Urban Centres. For this section of the project I have chosen to focus on a specific stigma associated with cycling -–the dreaded helmet.

If you or any of your readers have time and are interested I would love your insights as to how a cycling helmet could be improved for women, or in-general. I have created a short survey here and would greatly appreciate any responses.

Thanks for your time and insight. If you have any further comments or would like more details about the project please don’t hesitate to contact me on my blog http://bicycleconcepts.blogspot.com/

Thanks! Kyle

Where o' where to put your stickers?

2008-03-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

Says Little Joe -

Hey Gang, I wanted to thank you for the sticker you sent a while back! I've been spreading the message around to my family and friends, (and in the process convinced a bunch of them to go mountain biking and commuting with me as well as do a triathlon with me!) I just wanted to share some shots of my personal helmet, at rest. Keep up the great work. Little Joe

Do the test.

2008-03-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

Te he he

2008-03-07T17:09:00.000-08:00

It's kids week at The Safety is Sexy Campaign. Here's one of our favorite helmet cartoons!

One Got Fat 1963 Bicycle Safety

2008-03-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

This is a great video of bicycle safety - especially for kids. It's pretty thorough, but we're amazed that there isn't even a mention of a helmet! This is one video that needs updating (but keep the monkeys!)

More cute kids

2008-03-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

You'd look hipper in a helmet.

2008-03-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

Even though The Safety is Sexy Campaign is geared towards an adult crowd, we couldn't pass up this hip kid sporting his helmet.Says Scott, his dad from West Virginia:

I take my sons and their friends (ages 6 - 10) for urban rides through the week, they see me in a helmet every time. On trail rides in our state forest they give unlidded riders a ribbing...so much fun to see a racer boy teased by a bunch of kids riding the same single track!

Being hard-headed is fashionable

2008-03-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

It's about time for a shout out to all the fashionable kids wearing helmets out there. Over the next couple of days, we'll post photos of hip kids in helmets, sent in from our readers. For now, check out this great poster geared at young bikers. It's opening line says: "The newest look on the streets is a fashionable safety helmet." Right on!

Musta been a Monday...

2008-02-25T10:16:00.000-08:00

And to add one more to the list of helmet rules - make sure you don't have it on backwards!

76%

2008-02-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

And we're back!

2008-02-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

After a LONG delay, our sticker shipment finally arrived to our doorstep.

Great apologies to all those who have been waiting for your stickers this past month, especially to those who gave such generous donations! We'll be working hard this weekend to get your requests out the door. Expect stickers in your mailbox as soon as the postman can deliver them.

Cheers,
The Safety is Sexy Campaign

Storytelling

2008-02-15T11:01:00.000-08:00

Request from a Washington DC journalist who writes for the Washington City Paper. Now's your chance for 15 minutes of fame!:

Hey Bikers! I'm writing an article for the Washington City Paper about helmets and head injuries. If you or someone who you think would be willing to talk to me has a story to share about bike accidents and helmets in the DC metro area, email me at tanya.c.snyder@gmail.com. Thanks! Tanya

Remember to copy safetyissexy@gmail.com on your e-mail -- we're interested in your stories too!

At least half his head will be protected...

2008-02-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

This image encourages us to remind folks the correct way to wear your skid lid:

Make sure that the helmet fits on top of the head, not tipped back (or sideways!).

Find the smallest helmet shell size that fits over your head.

The straps should be joined just under each ear at the jawbone.

The buckle should be snug with your mouth completely open.

After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, replace it immediately

Fashion Week: Friday

2008-02-08T10:25:00.000-08:00

And rounding out the The Safety is Sexy Campaign's 2008 Fashion Week - an entire photo shoot (from this month's Elle magazine) dedicated to helmet safety at the construction site.

Keepin' it safe and sexy on the job site!

Fashion Week: Thursday

2008-02-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

Disco nights

Fashion Week: Wednesday

2008-02-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

Helmet hair

Fashion Week: Tuesday

2008-02-05T12:33:00.000-08:00

Chiquita Banana

Fashion Week: Monday

2008-02-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

Flower Power

It's a fashion statement

2008-02-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

Get ready all you fashionable helmet wears!

Next week is FASHION WEEK at The Safety is Sexy Campaign. To get things started off on a fancy foot, here's a fashion feature from The Sartorialist blog:

March GQ Preview - James Danziger
The Sartorialist writes:
I didn't realize how many cool, chic guys I know that ride their bikes to work almost every day, so I made my March GQ page about it. Above is super chic James Danziger who runs the gallery that will host my first solo exhibit starting tomorrow!! Anyway, please note that James includes a helmet in is bike rides. Apparently the other day he did have a serious spill on his bike and he feels that the helmet really saved him from some major damage.

Helmet use on the rise in rodeos

2008-01-31T16:21:00.000-08:00

More bull riders are opting to trade in their cowboy hat for a hemet when competing. Read a summary below, or the entire article here.

Bull rider Justin Koon of Grapevine, Ark., above, is among a growing number of bull riders who wear safety helmets, although they are not required in what's been called the world's most dangerous organized sport.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Nearly eight seconds into the ride at a rodeo this month, a wildly bucking, 1,400-pound bull named Bruiser thrust a horn toward Justin Koon's face and tossed him into the air. He hit the ground head first - but walked away with only minor cuts.

Almost a decade ago, a similar spill left Koon with a fractured skull and in a coma. After that, he traded his cowboy hat for a protective helmet.

"I would never put one on because I wanted to look like a cowboy, with my boots, long-sleeved shirt and cowboy hat," said Koon, now 24, said at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. "Now I don't think I'd get on without one."

Rodeo, a sport in which the cowboy hat is as much an icon as a bucking bronco, has been reluctant to require its riders to wear helmets. Even for children as young as 5, they remain optional under association rules.

But bull riders, including some of the sport's stars, are increasingly donning their own. Rodeo officials estimate just under 40 percent of adult riders now wear helmets, up from 10 percent five years ago.

Still, more than half of bull riders have resisted. And they say it isn't about preserving the tough image of the Stetson-wearing cowboy.

Some riders complain the helmets are heavy, block their vision or prevent only superficial injuries. A few fear helmets might even boost injury risks by giving riders a false sense of security.

"I'm sure it could save on some dental bills, but I don't think it would feel right," said Luke Haught, 23, of Weatherford, Texas, who won a recent PRCA bull-riding event in Fort Worth. "I like my hat."

...the danger is well-documented, both in medical studies and rodeo lore. At least four riders, including two teenagers, were trampled to death recently in Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas.

One study published last year found bull riders were about 10 times more likely to get hurt than football or hockey players. Another concluded that head trauma accounts for about half of all serious bull riding injuries.

And there's another factor that might help convince even the most hardened cowboy to trade his hat for a helmet - money.

As riders wait to compete, sitting atop bulls in what's known as the chute, a rider's head is usually all that's visible, displayed on large arena screens and on camera during televised events.
That makes helmets a potentially lucrative billboard for sponsors. A few already have logos, similar to NASCAR helmets.

What a 12mph crash can get you

2008-01-30T17:15:00.000-08:00

David Snow from California wrote in to share what what happened to him last February when he wasn't wearing a helmet on a slow, casual ride in San Diego (He fell going maybe 12mph):

Two skull fractures

One spinal compression fracture (almost paralyzed)

Four days in the hospital

Three weeks of severe vertigo

Three weeks using a walker to get around the house

Eight weeks out of work

$90,000 of medical bills covered by insurance

Says David, "That's the last time I will ever ride without a helmet. Ever."